So, in recent years I have been invited up to the Red River/ Santa Fe/ Angel Fire New Mexico area for a mens retreat. During the retreat, three full days of mountain time, we usually split up in groups of golfers and fisherman. I have never really tried fly fishing, but this year will be different. I will give it a try.

So, my question is: what does a brand new fisherman need in order to get started. Honestly, I am more of a bass guy. What would you recommend?

Thanks in advance.

Welcome aboard, sir.

I'm no golfer, but I have heard fly casting compared to golf. Personally, I've never seen anyone truly happy on a golf course, but I have seen several folks near nirvana with a fishing rod in their hands.

As a bass guy myself, I understand where you're coming from, kingbert. My first advice would be to go to this frequently asked questions thread and see what you can absorb from it. Doing that should get you a bit more conversant with the lingo and concepts that are the foundation of fly angling.

Once you get those concepts started in your mind, there are quite a few trout-centric guys around here who can get you started right with tips on gear, flies, etc. Also remember that fly fishing isn't just for trout. There are several of us here who fish almost exclusively for freshwater species right here in our great state with a fly rod. You'll never work harder to catch smaller, fewer fish. haha

I'm sure one of our trouty brethren will happen along here and give some great advice on starter gear for you. Good luck.

Gonna have to save that in my book of quotes. I can't even imagine fly fishers banging their rods into the ground, or tossing their gear into the water.

Thanks TXRR. I read the full FAQ. Lot of good info in there. I am going to study up and figure out what all I need to get before going. I am looking forward to it. Just the thought of learning gets me pumped to actually start.

Keep the tips coming in. Lord knows I can use them.

I'm glad you found some good information in the FAQ. Once we get closer to evening, I'll bet that lots of folks will give you their recommendations on a good starter trout setup. My only other advice to you is to find the closest certified casting instructor and get a lesson or two. If you decide not to do that, you can always seek out the local fly fishing club in your area. They usually have some casting instruction available at their meetings. Getting someone to at least help you get started casting correctly will go a long way towards keeping you interested in our weird little sport.


Now, Grashpr, I won't say that I don't get intensely/insanely frustrated when I make a really bad cast or miss a strike. I have managed to keep from whacking my fly stick on the boat or a breaking it against a tree, but just barely. Something about the internal screaming match between my redhaired temper wanting to break the rod down to its individual atoms and my thrifty Scottish blood arguing about how much I spent on the rod has saved my equipment up to this point. That being said, I don't think I could make it through a single round of golf with any of the clubs still intact or accounted for. A fly flinger may have a grimace of concentration, but that almost always turns into a smile when a fish is hooked.

Kingbert, welcome to the fly fishing forum. What type of bass are you after, LMB, SMB, stripers, whites, hybrid stripers...I would say you would want at least a 6wt or 7wt rod. For the bigger flies you will want an 8 or 9wt rod.

Not sure what I am going after. I guess (and it is just that a guess) I am going to need a good all around rod and reel first. One that can catch bass, trout, etc. I am going to keep one rod/reel for a while.

If you are starting up in New Mexico, around Angel Fire, you'll be chasing trout. Once you get the "fly bug", you'll be back here chasing everything else.

Kelkay has some good advice for you once you return from the hills in New Mexico, but maybe a bit lighter setup would do you well up there.

Maybe a 5wt setup to start, and I agree with Tex, find somewhere or someone to get you casting right before you go. Otherwise you'll probably end up frustrated.

The folks you go with that flyfish regularly on this trip should be able to help you with the basics as far as leader, tippet and bug selection, seems as though this is an annual trip for ya'll.

Good luck

BHR

A good all around rod size would be either a five or a six weight. I would lean towards the six since that is what you mainly like it bass. If you can find a 5/6 wt, and they are out there, that might be just perfect for you.

Kinger - this is a way, way, friendly group, so here's my advice -

go on post up a note that includes

- where us is
- that wanna learn
- that you've done at least one good deed in your life (picked up trash, voted Dem or Rep or Green or have been married, that'll work )
- and you need an invite

and BAM !

I predict: an invite will head your way, including a loanable rod, a cool shallow spot, a couple fish and some lessons, courtesy of the boys at the TFF

Lots of us a'd done it, none with regrets...

Heck - some of us fake newbiesm, just so's to get a free ride, free flies and access to a new spot.







OK OK - I've done it.

Alright, Alright Steven, here goes:

Location: Lubbock, sometimes Boerne (that's where the in-laws reside)
Good deed: I am married to a beautiful outdoorsy woman, two dogs, no kids
Learn: is it called learning when you know nada? or is it experiencing??

What other items besides the typical rod/reel does a newb need? IE: flies, leaders, vest, waders, boots, etc.

Dang it, Lubbock huh, er, uh, thats pretty much desert out there, right ?

Dang I mightta Republicaned about an invite, I, I, I mean misspoke.

Do we have anbody in 79411 ?

Lubbock is a hard one. Lots of us around here have spent time in Lubbock, but not many of us are around there right now. So, it may be a challenge to find some hands on help.

For the trip you've described, your buddies would not question the decision to get a 9 ft 5 wt rod. That is probably the most popular length and size rod sold. A 5 wt will work for both trout and bass fishing, you'll just be limited in the size of the bass flies that you can comfortably cast (about size 8 or 10), but a lot of fish are caught on these sized flies.

There are a lot of good rods available in all price ranges. Most of the major brands offer some level of replacement warranty. I like TFO rods and they offer the NXT kit that includes the rod, reel, line, case, and even a leader all setup and ready to fish for about $200. All of the TFO rods come with a lifetime warranty. A kit such as this is a good option when you are just getting started and are not sure what to get. The Reel Recovery setup that is mentioned in another post is a good setup too.

Have fun,
Rex

Rex s right Lubbock is a hard one for fly-fishers. I spent a bit over a decade out there, but I moved away in the early 80's so what info I may have is a bit dated to say the least. There used to be a couple of shops in town that specialized in gear for those that like to play in the moutains. I would check them to see if they also sold some fly rods and if they do then start asking questions.

Don't forget to use the net to learn whet you can. There is a lot of stuff out there once you figure out how to find it.

The basic paperback book to get you started is one titled Curtis Creek Manifesto. Another good one is Tom Rosenbauer's Reading Trout Streams. Try your local library and they should have a few shelves of books on fly fishing...They have only been writing books about it for about 500 years now.(grin)

I am a real fan of the Temple Fork Flyrods and trust me on this sooner or later you will break a fly rod and it is much simpler to mail it back to them in Dallas with a $25 buck check for the return postage and let them replace it. Matter of fact you mght want to wander around their web site for a while. These guys are not in business to keep you from trying their fly rods. Give them a call or write an e-mail and I am sure that they know some way you can try one of their rods. You will enjoy doing business with them.

The main thing is don't get too serious about all this stuff and worry about it too much. Read some of the bssic stuff and then go with one of the guys you know that tries this fly fishing stuff and fall down in the mud and get your fly caught in that tree behind you that was not there when you cast. And:

Have fun with this stuff.

Big Dale

I would also suggest learning to cast with a personal lesson first. When you do put a fly on your line and cast on water, use a small fly...very small to start out, until you get the hang of it. Bigger flies are harder to cast, and may make you feel you cannot cast right. So start out with a small trout or bream fly first...that is a suggestion of course.