After months of not logging in here (and technically speaking not belonging here since I've moved to Oklahoma), I finally got my first fly rod I bugged you guys about it quite a bit back when I was in Texas. I couldn't wait to start trying it, but couldn't afford the nicer kits. Well, I still can't, but found a really cheap one that will hopefully get me started until I can get a better one. I found Academy had a Crystal River kit for $29. They had one that had a fly and a spinning reel with no string for either. I already have one spinning rod/reel and didn't like the idea of trying to learn to fly fish on a rod designed more for spinning than fly fishing (reel and hand position being much higher on the grip). They had another kit for $29 that came with just the fly reel, but also included 50 yards of fly line and 10 yards of leader. Didn't come with any flies but they had a lil box of dry flies that was $6 for 25 flies. I know this ain't a whole lot, but for a beginner looking to probably start out casting off the bank, I figure this should be fine. Both of the kits came with a nifty carry bag. Anybody used this rod/reel setup before?

Haven't used them before, but welcome. And regardless of your zipcode(we got guys on here from California for crying out loud) you are always welcome to post here. Also regardless of the quality of kit you got, it will get you on and catching fish. Once you learn it and like the fly fingin' you can decide how and when to upgrade. You can spend $100 more and get a pretty decent kit from BPS or Cabelas. TFO has an all inclusive set for $150 I think.

Anyway, it's all good with what you got right now. So welcome and start posting up fish tales.

I just bought one of those kits for my girlfriend, I have been casting it in the back yard. For the money it isn't terrible to learn on. I saw that spinner/fly kit and thought about getting it but thought the same this as you, the rod just didn't look like a fly rod.

Yeah, I dunno why, but learning on a hybrid just didn't seem right to me. As if learning on that would teach me whatever habits that would come with using that type of pole and that I wouldn't truely learn things properly.

Good to know it's not terrible. That's what I'm looking for. I was contemplating making one from the bamboo grass (not even real bamboo) in my sister's back yard, and I can't imagine what that would have turned out like. So hopefully this will at least be enough to get me started. If so, I'll probably buy one for my girlfriend too lol.