I'm pretty new to flyfishing. I don't know much about it at all. So, I've been reading and thinking about all the various rods that are available. I bass fish, so I'm familiar with the technique specific rod (basically a scam to get bass fisherman to drop another $500). I've been reading about guys who have a different rod for their dry flies and nymphs. I've learned first hand the need for a rod that casts various size flies, but wouldn't the same 3-weight rod place a dry fly the size of tip of pen just as easily as it would a wet one that is essentially the same size?

And that leads me to a whole other discussion about the material used to make those fly rods. A bamboo fly rod would surely not cast the same as as a high-speed graphite rod. So, how do you know what's right?

You need to start somewhere. And if you intend to mainly go for bass I would make one possible suggestion of a Scientific Anglers 6 weight starter kit. It casts well enough, is not too expensive and ought to toss most of the flies for bass fishing OK. Now onwe could go overboard with huge wind resistant bugs and run into trouble but that's out on the edge of the envelope.

As for the sizes of flies that you had mentioned, wind resistance, weight of the fly (bead head, lead wire wraps?) can all affect the way a rod handles the fly. Because really its not simply the rod; the flyline itself is a major player and the same rod might cast the same fly markedly differently with another line on it.

That can start getting complicated know. Get the SA (if you don't already have a rod and reel) and learn to cast. Get a baseline to start from.

P.S. that Sage is not a rip-off but its not for everyone and probably not at all where to start.

Swalker,
Many of us started with TFO, and for the money they're hard to beat. But my advice is simple: come to a club meeting, meet some folks (like Ol AL Crise,) go out with them, try rods, then make a decision.
I've seen lots of set ups end up on eBay with comments like "I just couldn't get the hang of it". I take newcomers out all the time, and mostly I'm hitting local creeks - easy places to find and fish. Robin does the same for guys living up close to Mckinney. Most fly fishers I know are happy and willing to help.
Les

I have my paperwork filled out for the FW flyfishers, just haven't sent it in yet. So, I'm looking forward to that. The bad thing about clubs is that I have to actually interact with people--I am quite uncomfortable with crowds. I'm much more comfortable with anonymity.

I am going to have to get over it, because I really need some hel with all of this.

Hey, we're easy and more friendly than most crowds. If anything,PM me and we'll get together and go fishing somewhere in tarrant county. I promose you'll like it.
Les

Can I go, too!!!! I like where you go.
troutbum

That Sage rod is actually quite interesting to me--mostly because it includes line. By the time you get a quality rod and line, you're going to drop close to $300. For another 50, you can get a sage with line that was balanced with a particular rod.

"I buy the cheapest tackle that I can afford, then I have something to blame when I screw up."

I've been watching this topic for some time and feel I need to add my thoughts.

I first fly fished with my Dad for bream and Bass in Mississipi back in the late 50's. My rod was an OLD Shakespeare fiberglass with a 8wt Level line(remember those)....

Fifty years later I have been blessed with an unbelieveable number of great adventures. One thing I did learn over the years, if you were going to race at Texas Motor Speedway in a NASCAR event, would you buy a 1982 Ford Station Wagon or go for the fastest, newest Hendrick Chevrolet.

Fly fishing is the same. I have used everything from a $30 glass rod to the latest Sage and G. Loomis rods. I've also taught literally hundreds of people to fly cast and the result is almost always the same. Most people have trouble due to their equipment, not their technique.

This doesn't mean you have to go out and spend $700 on the latest Sage rod but IMHO try the following three suggestions

1. Get a good fast action rod such as a St. Croix Avid or Reddington CPS in a 7 wt. ($250-400)

2. Invest in a 7 Wt Weight Forward (7WF) floating line (Mastery or Rio) ($45-60)

3. When you go fishing, keep your casts between 25 and 50 feet. Most people try to cast too far and tire out and get frustrated because of this. The bass pictured below were all caught at Fork using a 7 wt Sage, WF floating Mastery line, Spiderwire for a leader (It is Fork !!!), and Epoxy Crawfish Flys with casts under 40 feet.








I usually don't get so worked up, but I love this sport and having travelled from Texas to Montana to Argentina, I still remember going with my Dad and the thrill of a Bass or Bream hitting a popping bug. I hope you do too.

Doug

Doug

thanks for the photos and for the input as well! Good points. That epoxy crawdad looks like a popular pattern with the inhabitants of Lake Fork!!

I guess I try to get the best equipment that I can justify within my budget and still pay the bills and keep wifey happy (just as important as good fishing gear in the long term).

I will say that there is no replacement for god old fashioned experience. Start off with what's comfortable, it'll soon enough be evident whether it's the best for you or not. That has been my experience anyway.

swalker9513,
As most folks know by now I work in the fly shop at BPS Garland. Not sure where you live, but our little shop is full of all kinds of equipment. We are not on comission, so we're not trying to sell ya anything. If you get the chance stop by and we'll wiggle a few rods and discuss any questions you may have.
That Sage Largemouth is a very good rod for someone who's not going to need to tear up their line practicing in the yard. Probably not the rod for you at this point.
TFO comes in a fairly broad spectrum, from finesse to really fast action of the "Axiom". We have "starter" Dogwood Creek combos on sale for $69.88. They're good to help establish timing and rhythm and can last you a long time.
Some of the best advice I've read so far is get with a fly club and usse some of their goodies.
Tight Lines and stop by for a chat if you like.

Pulp Fisher you have made some valid points and I thank you. I agree a better rod would probably help me tremendously....however I cannot afford an expensive rod like that right now. My problem with spending a lot also is, what if I never get the hang of it to where I can cast the longer distances I desire? I just joined a Texas Fly Fisher group for women. But I don't think there is anyone close enough to meet me and fish. There is one lady in my area, but she is too busy with work right now. If I can get better at this, and catch fish, my son will want to fly fish too. If I can prove it is a good way to go, he will join me so I can have someone to share the sport with. He however likes to fish with a regular spincast, or spinning set up and is fine with that. He cannot figure out why I want to LEARN and spend time practicing another method of fishing. (example bait casting and fly fishing.) Like when I made the flies and caught fish with them and he couldn't catch a thing, that made him INTERESTED in my flies. But he knows I caught them at that time on a bubble and fly. It still is not a required technique. I must show how fun it is and catch fish for him to want to do this. He is interested, but not interested enough in spending his upcoming birthday money on a rod that he might not catch fish with, or be able to cast correctly. (he sees my frustration with my casting) So this is where I am right now. I wish I could learn in a stream with a small current, but I mostly have lakes around me. I don't fly cast as much as I could because there are days when I just want to catch fish, and not make short casts that fish are not going for. If I did this full time, I am sure I could get better, faster. Also if I casted at home by going outside, I would get better. But I have not done that enough, I will admit that. My yard is full of trees, bushes etc... There is a lot next to me, but I doubt the people who own it want me on there. (it is a small vacant lot) I have casted on there for practice, and hoped they didn't just show up...lol. Oh well. I just don't want to get so frustrated that I give it up. I enjoy making flies now, and this will help me want to continue pressing on in the casting dept. I just started to do this back several weeks ago. I have had the thrill of catching something on a fly I made, and a few jigs, and a clouser too. If I had that same luck on my fly rod, I would be much happier. Sadly my success rate there is non-existant at this time.

Kelly

Go to the park or somewhere with no bushes. Slow it down, use as little power as you can. Overpowering can kill the loops. Remember that timing and FULL stops at each end of the cast are important.

But that is pretty much all conjecture on my part as I have not seen you cast.

Very best thing you could do is to set up a meet with LHD and get some one-on-one coaching from a pro. He'll be able to tell you not only exactly what you are doing wrong but, more importantly, what exactly to do to fix it.

Kelly,

Like your enthusiasm....

Your posting says you're in NE Texas. I spend a lot of time fishing around Bonham. Is that close?

One other thought about fly casting. It's a lot like swinging a golf club. The main thing to remember is "KEEP IT SIMPLE". Just like golf, casting a fly in this modern age of technology can become overcomplicated. A friend of mine in Montana has helped do a study of 8 wt rods

http://www.yellowstoneangler.com/8.weight.shoot.out.fly.rod.comparison.asp

If that doesn't make your head hurt, nothing does. But it's great info.

And like my brother-in-law said when we were hiking over the Beartooth Mountains in Montana looking for trout
"one foot in front of the other"
In other words- keep the faith,you'll get there....

Doug