Forums59
Topics1,039,300
Posts13,962,498
Members144,197
|
Most Online39,925 Dec 30th, 2023
|
|
Good "starter pack" of flies
#12374860
08/06/17 08:24 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 882
Naggler
OP
Pro Angler
|
OP
Pro Angler
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 882 |
Just recently got a 4/5 wt as my first combo and am looking for a good starter pack of flies that I can order online. In a related thread, some folks told me Llano bugs, small streamers, clousers, and anything buggy looking pretty much. Chasing sunfish, smaller bass, crappie, whites etc. I live outside Austin and plan on hitting up Sportman's Finest again to get some hand picked flies when time is not an issue. Went in there last week to feel a couple different weights before I ordered my combo and the employees there were very helpful. Just looking for some online sources now. Haven't really shopped for flies yet...are they sold by weight (ex 1/80 ounce etc) or just by look? Thanks!!
"Ahhh, yes yes...who has time? Then again, if we never take time, then how can we ever have time?"
|
|
Re: Good "starter pack" of flies
[Re: Naggler]
#12374881
08/06/17 08:52 PM
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 828
mbarker68x
Pro Angler
|
Pro Angler
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 828 |
Most are sold by hook size. For the fish you are going to be chancing, and what I use on my 2 and 4wt rods, I recommend 12-6 . As for a started kit, I've never seen one put together for them. Another shop down in your area is Living Waters, another great bunch of people. I've never tried ordering on line from them, but every time I've been in there, Chris is always taking orders over the phone and filling them.
|
|
Re: Good "starter pack" of flies
[Re: Naggler]
#12374924
08/06/17 09:29 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 882
Naggler
OP
Pro Angler
|
OP
Pro Angler
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 882 |
I will look into them thanks!!
"Ahhh, yes yes...who has time? Then again, if we never take time, then how can we ever have time?"
|
|
Re: Good "starter pack" of flies
[Re: Naggler]
#12374941
08/06/17 09:40 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,238
RexW
TFF Team Angler
|
TFF Team Angler
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,238 |
The NXT kit comes with a 4 wt rod and a 5 wt line. While you are learning to cast, I would stay with size 10 flies or smaller. The higher the hook size, the smaller the fly. Beadheads should be fine, but I would not start with conehead flies. They are heavier and more difficult to cast. Learn to cast with files that are easier to cast before trying larger flies that are more of a challenge to cast.
Also, a size 10 olive Woolly Bugger will catch pretty much anything that swims.
Have fun!
Fly Fishers International certified casting instructor TFO Rods pro staff
|
|
Re: Good "starter pack" of flies
[Re: Naggler]
#12374971
08/06/17 10:09 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,238
RexW
TFF Team Angler
|
TFF Team Angler
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,238 |
I just read the hopper post. You can go with a larger fly size when using foam flies. Foam is usually easy to cast.
Fly Fishers International certified casting instructor TFO Rods pro staff
|
|
Re: Good "starter pack" of flies
[Re: RexW]
#12378369
08/09/17 02:06 AM
|
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 563
1960texan
Pro Angler
|
Pro Angler
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 563 |
Also, a size 10 olive Woolly Bugger will catch pretty much anything that swims. I'm still pretty new to fly fishing, and from my own personal experience I could not agree more. I've caught a ton of fish on the olive green wooly bugger. Also caught a good bit on small poppers and brown hoppers. Bead head nymphs have also been good to me.
|
|
Re: Good "starter pack" of flies
[Re: 1960texan]
#12378433
08/09/17 02:53 AM
|
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 387
Mitt78
Angler
|
Angler
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 387 |
Also, a size 10 olive Woolly Bugger will catch pretty much anything that swims. I'm still pretty new to fly fishing, and from my own personal experience I could not agree more. I've caught a ton of fish on the olive green wooly bugger. Also caught a good bit on small poppers and brown hoppers. Bead head nymphs have also been good to me. Brown bugs have been working all spring and summer. I got this on a black dubbing brown foam Llano bug mothers day weekend. I was showing/teaching my wife to fly fish in Dinosaur Valley.
|
|
Re: Good "starter pack" of flies
[Re: Naggler]
#12378558
08/09/17 04:43 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 882
Naggler
OP
Pro Angler
|
OP
Pro Angler
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 882 |
Thx guys...gonna head to Sportman's Finest tomorrow and grab some Llano bugs, woolly buggers, poppers, streamers, bead head nymphs, and clousers. Get to break the new rod in on the Llano River Friday and at my stock tank Saturday...totally stoked!!! Will post results...thx again to all for advice on the new gear!
"Ahhh, yes yes...who has time? Then again, if we never take time, then how can we ever have time?"
|
|
Re: Good "starter pack" of flies
[Re: Naggler]
#12389598
08/17/17 03:06 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 18,130
COFF
TFF Guru
|
TFF Guru
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 18,130 |
I'm just reading this thread, so this may already be too late. I would not go out and stock up of flies from a local shop. Fly shops typically stock higher priced flies. Your nymphs will be $2-3, and the more complex and pretty flies will go up to $5-6. Based on the list you gave above, you could drop in excess of $50 before you know it. You can argue that these flies are higher quality and worth the extra money. But you will quickly find out that as you are learning to fly fish, you will lose a ton of flies. You aren't used to tying the small tippets, you'll pop them off on your back stroke, you'll catch them in tree limbs, you'll break them off setting the hook. That $50 you spent at the fly shop could be gone in your first hour at the river. Trust me, been there. Go to one of the discount online shops and order about a dozen of your two favorite patterns. You should be able to get a dozen for under $10 and then just go to town with it. Here is one you can try, but there are several others. www.bigyflyco.com
|
|
Re: Good "starter pack" of flies
[Re: COFF]
#12390357
08/18/17 01:40 AM
|
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,067
McKinneyLonghorn
Extreme Angler
|
Extreme Angler
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,067 |
I'm just reading this thread, so this may already be too late. I would not go out and stock up of flies from a local shop. Fly shops typically stock higher priced flies. Your nymphs will be $2-3, and the more complex and pretty flies will go up to $5-6. Based on the list you gave above, you could drop in excess of $50 before you know it. You can argue that these flies are higher quality and worth the extra money. But you will quickly find out that as you are learning to fly fish, you will lose a ton of flies. You aren't used to tying the small tippets, you'll pop them off on your back stroke, you'll catch them in tree limbs, you'll break them off setting the hook. That $50 you spent at the fly shop could be gone in your first hour at the river. Trust me, been there. Go to one of the discount online shops and order about a dozen of your two favorite patterns. You should be able to get a dozen for under $10 and then just go to town with it. Here is one you can try, but there are several others. www.bigyflyco.com Agreed. I believe the discount fly shops sell a lower quality, less durable fly, but like you said, when learning, you'll be losing flies enough that you'll likely lose the fly before it falls apart.
|
|
Moderated by banker-always fishing, chickenman, Derek 🐝, Duck_Hunter, Fish Killer, J-2, Jacob, Jons3825, JustWingem, Nocona Brian, Toon-Troller, Uncle Zeek, Weekender1
|