I am brand new to fly fishing .....anyone know classes or is it a get out there and get it done type of deal

Broncos

Forth Worth fly fishers is hosting a local outing at southwest nature preserve on Saturday March 7 9am. - the focus will be on new fly fishers and we will have mentors available to walk you through the whole process- basic casting and hooking up on fish.

I recommend that you come- it's FREE

Les Jackson
event host

Very nice.......thank you sir.

Open wide! I do mean your wallet.

Welcome to the sport. My suggestions are going to depend on the species you want to target, but...

I would start with looking into the Orvis 101, 201, and 301 classes. I believe they are free and cover everything from the basics of rigging and knots, then on to casting and techniques, and then a day on the water to put what you have learned into practice.

It's basically like having a professional guide for little to no cost.

At the very least you will need some basic casting instruction. You are in for a world or frustration if you go it alone.

If you like to read like I do - Orvis Beginning Fly Fishing. Pictures too.

Definitely get some casting instruction. You have a great group to help you in the Fort Worth area.

bass pro shop in grapevine. they have free classes at 9am saturdays first hour they go over the basics and second hour if weather is good will teach and tutor with a couple casts.

OK guys,
Casting instruction is great and I recommend all of the aforementioned schools and classes; in fact our own RexW has some great clinics as well. BUT time on the water is most important. Actual fishing requires knowledge of how read the water, of ambush points, of stripping line, and how to discern takes, and of actual hook ups. Any thing less falls short of making the sport enjoyable to a newcomer. That's why my club has created the "local outing" targeting brand new fly fishers.
http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbt..._o#Post10631254

Over the years I've seen people come and go. Most learned basic casts, but that was it. Many, especially those newcomers to the art of angling in general never caught fish, so after a year of club membership away they went. When questioned, the novice would comment about never getting the hang of this and so on. Recently I joined my wife on several Texas women Fly Fishers outings and witnessed how mentoring is properly done; that is, these ladies would shadow a newcomer until they "got it" and caught fish. In the past, I'm sorry to say my own club has failed create a similar environment- until now. We have recognized this failing and have created a free program geared for the newcomer that demonstrates and coaches a novice fly fisher to successfully catch fish.

After all, that is the reason we do this...

Les

This is one of the best offers I've seen to help someone get started fly fishing. Definitely an event that you don't want to miss.

Come visit their meeting the Tuesday before this event and I'll be explaining fly lines.

to the Texas Fishing Forum!

When you buy your first rod I'd definitely consider the brand "Temple Fork Outfitters" (TFO). I love my TFO! I think the model line is BVK or something. (I have a busted foot. Cant go out and check.) Anyway, lots of guys rave about the same make and model, the reason being that it casts and fishes very nicely, but it's midpriced. Its about $180 - $250 depending on where you get it. You definitely don't want to waste money trying to save money on anything much cheaper. You will be disappointed in it when someone lets you try their little bit better outfit.

Also don't try to skimp any on your line. Better line also casts much better than cheap, IMO. You can skimp on your reel if you must. Just MHO.

Also, when you're starting out, get as much coaching for your casting as you can possibly afford. I didn't and regret it to this day.

I appreciate all the welcoming advice, I received a fly rod set up as a gift " Martin Complete Fly Fishing Set" I'm thinking this should be fine starting out. I have been bass / catfishing for years, I love the water and tug on the line. I've been told once I start fly fishing it will be hard to pick up the other rods........ thanks again.

Thats the setup I started with and did ok(have caught a few bass with it)it stays in my truckbox now for those opertunistic moments. In just a matter of weeks I'm looking for a higher end set so I guess this is how it all starts..good luck