MyFishFinder Forum
MFF US Northeast => Maine => Topic started by: walpy on Sep 21, 2018, 10:07 AM
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Can anyone recommend a decent beginner fly combo? I'm trying to get something I can learn with and may upgrade next year. I've been told to look for 9', 5wt, moderate action.
Trying to save as much $ as I can seeing as I will need to get flies and a case (literally everything) oh AND :tipup: fishing is right around the corner ;D
Thanks in advance!
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Honestly you can’t really go wrong with a cabelas or bean combo when they go on sale. Go for a 5 or 6wt and practice with some sunfish, it’s how I learned 3 years ago. Or, go visit a Mardens!
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I got a cheap combo from cabelas earlier this year to learn. It came with a few accessories (basic flys, nippers, lanyards, a bag/pack for gear). It was about $100 on sale if I remember correctly. So far it’s been a great starter set, but the accessories were trash, and I have since replaced most of the stuff. If I were to go it again I’d just get the rod/reel combo. The rod and reel combo aren’t the best, but it’s hard to beat for a newbie considering the price.
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I got a cheap combo from cabelas earlier this year to learn. It came with a few accessories (basic flys, nippers, lanyards, a bag/pack for gear). It was about $100 on sale if I remember correctly. So far it’s been a great starter set, but the accessories were trash, and I have since replaced most of the stuff. If I were to go it again I’d just get the rod/reel combo. The rod and reel combo aren’t the best, but it’s hard to beat for a newbie considering the price.
Yea, get one of their rod reel combos, not the starter kits. Most of them also come with line and backing. Just need to add leader, and few basic flies based on what your fishing for. Lots of new lingo and info to absorb when starting with fly fishing, so keep it simple at first and get the basics down. It was late spring when I started, so I had a summer to practice casting at sunfish before for the fall stocking season in rivers that are still open. Also, check out the Maineflyfish.com forum.
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I didn't even think of Mardens!
But thank you - right now I'm looking at the LL Bean Quest II kit in either 8'6" 5wt or 9' 6wt.. doesn't look bad for $120, tops of what I want to spend but has good reviews
I'll def head over to Maineflyfish.com !
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Both of my sons started out with the Quest kit. Not a bad outfit for the price.
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After reading the other posts I should add that my cabelas rod is good for the price but not the best. My buddy has one of the ll bean set ups, which I think is a quest, and the rod and reel seem a higher quality to me. If I did it again I’d go with the beans.
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After reading the other posts I should add that my cabelas rod is good for the price but not the best. My buddy has one of the ll bean set ups, which I think is a quest, and the rod and reel seem a higher quality to me. If I did it again I’d go with the beans.
Agreed. I've got both a bean and cabelas low end setup plus an encounter Orvis setup. The LL Bean lower priced options seemed to be higher quality for the same price. I also cracked the top section of the rod where it attaches to the bottom and they sent me a brand new rod and case for no charge. You can't beat their customer service.
My only caveat to the low end setups is that they are really only worth the money for smaller fish (panfish, domestic trout, bass, etc). If you ever end up getting a setup in a 8/9wt and need a reel where you are going to utilize the drag while fighting a fish then you will be better off spending a little more money. After losing several fish to a jumpy drag on the 8wt encounter while fishing for salmon/steelhead I finally bit the bullet and bought a lamson reel and paired it with a TFO rod. I got both on sale so the whole setup only cost me $450 which is a steal compared the retail price of both. You won't need to go that expensive but save yourself from buying two setups like I ended up doing. But now I've got a back up!
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Can anyone recommend a decent beginner fly combo? I'm trying to get something I can learn with and may upgrade next year. I've been told to look for 9', 5wt, moderate action.
Trying to save as much $ as I can seeing as I will need to get flies and a case (literally everything) oh AND :tipup: fishing is right around the corner ;D
Thanks in advance!
PM me your address and I'll send you some flies to get you started.
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Thank you Bartman, that's incredibly generous of you!
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Where do you plan to fish ?
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I have a cheaper tfo 5 weight and an expensive sage. I use the tfo more! The expensive blanks cast great but honestly you'll fish better with shorter casts.
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I have a cheaper tfo 5 weight and an expensive sage. I use the tfo more! The expensive blanks cast great but honestly you'll fish better with shorter casts.
Agree. Shorter casts 99% of the time. I have a TFO also and like it. Don't overlook the Fenwick HMG. I have an 8.5 footer, 6 weight I use for streamer fishing and it works very well for New England streams. You might be able to pick up a used 5 or 6 weight on E-bay.
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Where do you plan to fish ?
Mostly southern & centeral Maine - but I do take a handful of trips to the great north woods and Moosehead areas each year.
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I ended up grabbing this one in 5wt, 9’
https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/115673?page=quest-ii-boxed-fly-rod-outfits
I read a lot of articles, plus I had some leftover $ on my Beans gift card. In it for under $100
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That should do the trick.
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You're in trouble now. It gets addicting.
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Good package to get you started. It is a very addicting sport, The different weight rods in different lengths all have their uses and purposes.
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Good choice.
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Thank you Bartman, that's incredibly generous of you!
Flies sent. Let me know when you get them and I can explain them to you.
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Good choice! You will have a bend in that rod any day now.
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Flies sent. Let me know when you get them and I can explain them to you.
Thanks again Bart! You’re far too kind!
(https://i.postimg.cc/t7M5jt85/90_DDFAFD-75_A8-4499-9573-44_DEDDAE744_B.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/t7M5jt85)
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Thanks again Bart! You’re far too kind!
(https://i.postimg.cc/t7M5jt85/90_DDFAFD-75_A8-4499-9573-44_DEDDAE744_B.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/t7M5jt85)
No problem, I hope you catch some fish on them. I'm headed out for a while but I'll shoot you a PM later.
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Went out for my first time this weekend - buddy took me to an unreal stream, but sadly my casting ability wasn't ready for the big leagues haha
hit 2 other, more open spots, I got some good bites - managed to land 2 chub (I might as well be a Chub Specific Guide) but man did I have fun. I can't wait to go again.
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Most of fly fishing is just learning to cast accurately, don’t worry about distance.
Just keep in mind, almost all streams and rivers are now closed to fishing, but there are some with extended seasons and a couple are open year round.
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Went out for my first time this weekend - buddy took me to an unreal stream, but sadly my casting ability wasn't ready for the big leagues haha
hit 2 other, more open spots, I got some good bites - managed to land 2 chub (I might as well be a Chub Specific Guide) but man did I have fun. I can't wait to go again.
Glad to hear you got out for the first trip, with success nonetheless. Congratulations.
After years of throwing sports and spinfishing, my cast was more like the crack of Zorro's whip at first. If you hadn't snapped any leaders, you're doing a heck of a lot better than me.
As others have said it's a very additive way to fish - my spinning gear mostly collected dust this past season outside of a floating river trip and one day in strong winds when I jumped on an opportunity to get out. While I'd never suggest one method superior to another, for me, once I stopped swearing with every attempted cast, fly fishing has become more of a cathartic experience when fishing. I don't know if it's the rhythmic nature of the cast or what, it's just enjoyable.
Continue having a blast with it!
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If your ever in CT Walpy let me know. I have a pretty good handle on 21 miles of the farmington river down here and would be happy to try to get you hooked up. (We get some big fish too!)
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Here in NY we have a ton of streams that are open all year(most C&R)but lots of spots to try.Great lakes tribs are great all fall,winter and spring!! If you can get over here and enjoy!!
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I spent the last hour of the open water season casting streamers to native fall spawning colored up brookies. The fish were biting, the foliage was pretty, and there were a ton of geese. Actually one of the most relaxing trips of the season.
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I spent the last hour of the open water season casting streamers to native fall spawning colored up brookies. The fish were biting, the foliage was pretty, and there were a ton of geese. Actually one of the most relaxing trips of the season.
Nothing better. I've been nailing bows on Pat's rubber legs nightly. Fun throwing bigger stuff.