You have been getting some good advice, the only thing I can add is that (which too has already been said) is dont get too big a rod, I have a 3 for me & one for my son, and although I am 100% bass fisherman, fishing for bluegill with a flyrod alongside my son is the most fun I've ever had in my 50 years of life, no doubt about it . (in case you didnt notice, that period is bold

You have a bold period Mike? I thought you were too old for that.

My gill rod is a TFO 6ft 2wt, it's a blast to catch them on it.

I also would like to get back to using a fly rod. I have not used one since 1970. Where could I find a good rod and reel combo that I could use to catch white bass with. I fish for white bass year round almost and was wishing I had a fly rod yesterday. The whites were hitting on top and just about any other depth but a fly rod would have been a blast. I am going back this week and I will take my ultra lite spin cast with me. I have 1 with 4 lb and 1 with 6 lb line and they are fun to play with the whites but when a hybrid or striper takes it you really got to play them. Thanks for any information you can give me. I will be using it out of a boat. Front deck of a Kenner.

make sure you check with deckhand, as I recall he's the man on white bass.

A six-foot two weight? That sounds really cool. That'd be a great rod to take on a backpacking trip for some canyon fishing in brushy creeks, I bet.

I wonder about wisdom of starting out one's fly fishing journey learning to cast with a 2 wt or for that matter anything less than a 5 wt.

Learning to cast on a 2 wt might be frustrating and lead to bad habits...but heck I learned on a 7 wt and formed bad habits so maybe it doesn't matter....and Lefty can cast an entire fly line with just a short stick. I've seen him do it.

Wonder what some of you casting instructors would recommend to learn on?

My first rod was a five weight. I would recommend it or a six weight for if you only plan to buy ONE rod. It won't toss the big flies though. If you only plan to catch bluegill, a much lighter rod is called for. But I like catching bass too, and trout...so I needed a little heavier rod. The reel is not that important as Meadowlark said...it is basically a line holder until you get into the big fish...then the reel is important. You can pull the line in by hand, that is called stripping it in. You don't need to reel a fish in unless it is big...especially if you are bluegill fishing...you will want to pull it in by hand, it is more fun.

WOW! Thanks for the welcome and great information. In reading the posts you do seem to have a sickness on you. But I'll trust you're well enough to give solid advice. Looks like I need a 2-3wt. and don't be afraid to spend a little money to get something I would enjoy using.

I'm still reading up on the tackle needed, lines, leaders, tippets, knots, etc.

And yes, I do appreciate the environment, private property, and other anglers. I started fishing as a young kid on Ft. Bragg,
with all the old vets, they taught me respect.

I'll probably go looking for some equipment here in the next weeks. But feel free to give me any other information I could use to make some good choices in buying what I'll need and want to keep for a few years.

I love looking at the pictures, reading the experiences and general malarkey that goes on in this section.

Thanks

I learned in Colorado on a 6wt, But a five wt is still my all around go to rod. I have really gotten into my 8wt lately though. It's like good golf learn to hit the five iron right, then up and down sizes are easier to adjust to.

White bass fishing is what got me into fly fishing. I found out that you can out-fish anyone using a fly rod vs their spinning gear, I've proved it many times. Bold statement? give it a try and get back to me

get a 5/6 wt for the whites, and leave the spinning gear at the house. And yes, Deckhand is a whitebass killer with the flyrod

back to topic, I still enjoy catching blue gill with a fly rod, nothing quite like the fight of those little devils

Building on what TB said, if you are throwing form a boat I would recommend at least a 5wt in the 8' 6" or 9' range. If you are targeting them on top use a WF line. If you are beating the brushy tributaries for whites, you need to step down to maybe a 2wt or 3wt that is shorter, maybe 7'6" or less. This is where you can really experiment with sink tip lines and such. I use a WF for everything and adapt it to what I need.

Basicly Bluegill, I didn't start out on bluegills, I cut my teeth where trout abound! However, when Dad and I couldn't get to the trout stream, we went to a pond in an Industrial park and used wet flies to murder the bluegills and sunnys. It will without a doubt be the most rewarding experience as your cast/catch ratio will skyrocket!

Once you get on the Brazos and hook up with a 1+ pound bluegill on the fly you will be "hooked". I use my little 3 wt fiberglass and just have a ball. The other 13 fly rods and reels well, they're just part of the addiction. Jump in the waters fine.

Thanks , Alot of the places I fish for whites should be open enough for a 9 ft. I will get a 5/6 wt in maybe a 9 ft and maybe able to catch reds and trout with it. It would also be fun when the whites are schooling on open water and a striper come up and take it. Thanks again.

I still think of my 9' 5-wt as the most versatile rod among my small collection. It casts tiny flies with really nice, delicate presentations, and I have managed to throw 1/0 clousers with it too (not well, mind you, but it is possible). It's the rod I've had longest and I've caught trout, bream, lmb, white bass, and stripers on it. More species to come I'm sure. I definitely prefer the 8-wt for larger flies, sinking lines, and for windy conditions, but I would be happy to take the 5 striper fishing again.

Seems to me that anyone wanting to get into the addiction could start with just about any fly rod and do well (okay, maybe stay away from the 12-wt for now), but I really do believe you get the most bang for your buck from a 5/6 and a really high-quality fly line.