Hey all,

I have been a fresh water fisherman for over 25 years and have always wanted to try fly fishing, but never really got going on it. Now that I am in the Houston area and saw that there are lots of opportunities to fish for carp and bass in and around the city where I can walk and not have to have a boat, I am really wanting to give it a try. I emailed a fly fishing guide that works here in the Houston area for carp and bass and he suggested an 8 weight would be best for me.

I have started looking at all the usual places along with Ebay. I can't spend $150 on a combo that I don't know if I'll be able to learn to use or even like. If I get into it and find that I really enjoy it, I will certainly be looking for much nicer gear. Until that time though, I need some help in getting a lower cost combo that isn't junk.

What I'd like to ask you guys about first are the combos that are on EBay. They are in various weights up to 8 and it's the 8 weight combos that I am interested in. They start at $65 and go up to $90. They come with an aluminum reel. The rods are 9 feet long, 4 pieces listed as Medium Fast. The lower cost combos have rods that say they are IM8 graphite from Korea and the more expensive combos say they are IM10 graphite from Korea. Now I know that none of can really know for sure that they are IM8 or IM10. I'm just wondering if they would be a good combo to start with.

Here's an example for you to check out....
Ebay Fly Fishing COMBO

Ebay COMBO in IM10

I'd like to know what you think of this combo. Would you give it a try or not? Of course if you have one of these outfits, or the rod itself, I'd really like to hear what you think.

If you have other recommendations for a combo for someone like me that has never even tried to cast a fly rod before, I'd like to hear those as well.

Thanks for your time.

Get a 5 weight and you can find a cheap combo at one of the chain stores. If you want to try to see how it feels then I'm sure 1 of the guys on here will offer to take you out and teach you how to do it. Buying one of those "kits" you may not get a good bargain and end up frustrated then give up. A "good" starter will usually go in the $100+ range unless you get lucky. There are other options like bass pro and cabellas Might want to check them out before you commit.

Completely unknown quantity. That price sounds too good to be true actually. And you know what they say, "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is"
I would head on down to Bass Pro or Cabelas and get one of their combos that fits your price range. They will take good care of you if there are issues, if you just don't like it. This eBay seller, I can't be so sure that they will do the same.

I have plenty of Bass Pro and Cabela's reels, rods and fly lines that all fish completely satisfactorily.

agree with Robin; go to cabela's and buy the Three forks rod for $30 something dollars; maybe they have a 3 fork combo on sale. I would trust cabela's and/or bass pro before buying from an unknown source on ebay . I am always surprised by how well the 3 fork rods cast-p-
http://www.cabelas.com/product/fishing/fly-fishing/fly-fishing-rod-reel-combos%7C/pc/104793480/c/104721480/sc/105571980/cabela-s-three-forks-prestige-reg-plus-fly-combo/2196555.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Ffly-fishing-rod-reel-combos%2F_%2FN-1102570%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_105571980
(copy and paste; I cannot get this to work)

I just started fly fishing. I started the White River outfit from Bass Pro, works great for me.

They might be a bit above your preferred price point BUT the Echo combos are excellent values. Lotsa bang for the buck. I just purchased a 6wt combo for my wife who has never fly fished. I wanted something that was easy to cast and had a decent warranty. I threw a few casts before purchasing it and was very pleasantly surprised at how well it performed. Thirty foot roll casts were not a problem and the rod loaded nicely for longer casts as well.

The combo came complete with a case and a lifetime warranty for $159. It was tested quite thoroughly the other evening when I stuck and landed a ten pound river carp (Cyprinus carpio carpio for those who care about such things). Good luck.

stu

Cabelas has some deals right now on some Rods, reels and combos. I saw a 150 dollar TFO Rod going for 79. They have some super cheap reels too.

Their fiberglass CGR is $65 right now. I love my 7-8 wt.

The good thing about TFO and Echo is their warranty. Most people break fly rods especially in the beginning.

Fly reels are pretty simple. Unless you are after really strong fast fish, the reel doesn't need to be very expensive. I come from a conventional baitcasting artificial lure fishing experience where a good reel is a big part of the equation. I've never gone after carp but I have put plenty of redfish on a fly reel. Just about any reel will work. You might get something that handles salt water. If you are in Houston, you aren't far from the salt. You might like chasing carp enough with fly gear that you will put redfish in your crosshairs.

Pearow's advice is really good. The Three Forks combo's when on sale are in the $50.00 range excellent combos.

I just picked up a three forks combo for $65 and I like it. I haven't caught a fish on it yet but it lawn casts pretty good. The only drawback was that only the 2 piece rods were on sale for $65. So far I can't "feel" a difference but I sure like the way my 4 piece rods pack up.

I'm new to fly fishing too. Just bought the tfo for $80 and a cabela's prestige reel for $44. Both were half off. I got both for a total of $135 tax included. They still have the father's day sale on. Buy $100 worth and shipping is free. Now I have to find some decent string to try...any suggestions that won't break the bank?

I called BassPro and talked to the guy in the Fly Shop to ask that very question today. I wanted to know what it costs to spool up a fly reel if I buy a combo that doesn't come with line.

Hold onto your britches....this might be a rough ride for ya.

The backing can cost anywhere from $8 to $20 or more. Then the fly line can go from about $20 for the lowest cost weight forward, floating stuff in whatever weight you need to well over $130! Then the leader is maybe another $10 or so. I'd say you could expect to pay about $30 to get your reel ready to go, maybe a tad bit more if you stay with the basic, low rent stuff. If you want something special in a fly line, you're gonna pay....maybe BIG. I don't know what makes the backing cost more than the basic stuff.

That's about what I found out today. The guy told me that if I were to buy a combo from them that didn't come with line, he'd throw in the backing free and put the fly line on for $20.

Good luck and post up what you end up doing.

Sometimes sierra trading post has premium fly line at big discounts. No need to buy expensive tapered leaders. Leaders are easy to make from mono or flourocarbon leader spools. Knots like like blood and surgeon knots are easy to tie with a little practice. Perfection loops work great to attach leader to fly line. Forget learning a nail knot. They just aren't necessary. Formulas for making your own leaders are available on various internet sites like orvis, midcurrent.

Cabelas fly line is pretty good and pretty cheap.

Right now Cabelas has their Prestige Outfit on sale for $139.00
http://www.cabelas.com/product/cabela-s-prestige-reg-collection-fly-outfit/1729188.uts

A while back their Cabelas RLS+ combo was on sale for the same price but right now it's $169.00
Cabelas RLS+ Combo I bought the RLS+ a few months ago but I paid $199.99 . I love it , got in 9' 5wt.

Avoid the Redington Coldwater combo!