Howdy Everyone,

I have been fishing my SA 9' 5 wt. fly rod for blue gill, bass etc... for a few years in the local Texas lakes and ponds but have always dreamed of fishing in a true Trout Stream. Well, come the end of this month my dream will come true. I have booked a Guided fly fishing trip just below Broken Bow lake on the Mountian Fork River Trout sanctuary. I have upgraded my equipment to an Orvis Access 905-4 rod paired with a battenkill BBS reel. I am now lost.. what type of line , leader,tippet will I be using? will I be fishing dry or streamers? Sinking or floating? I have no idea what to expect. could someone please get me going in the right direction with my new reel set up.. Thanks . its a pain to be a newbie. lol

gone-fishin,
You can get by with basic WF5 SA air cell or other mfg's lines to fish in any body of water; however keeping the line clean is the real key to longevity. As for tippets, leaders and flies, I would consult with the fly shop from which you booked your trip as they will have the best information on what to use for that trip. This is precisely the purpose in hiring a guide and checking in with that shop.


Les

Thanks Les for the fast reply. I take it we will be fishing with floating line. I will take your advice and check with the guide about the leader ,etc.. Im anxious to play with my new stick !. Thanks again !

Bill

I would really like to take some casting lessons before going on the trip so that I will be able to spend more time fishin and less time learning to cast and embarrasing myself. Although I have cast the SA in the past I feel that I REALLY need to rid my bad habbits. also, my new rod is a new tip flex rod.I have a feeling I may have bit off more than I can chew. Who has a good cheap casting class around Midlothian?

I know it is a long ways away, but if you are ever in Grapevine Bass Pro has free classes Saturdays and Sundays.

The most important cast to learn for LMF is the roll cast IMO. The side arm is good to.

If you have booked a guide they should have a rod for you to use that will have a good line on it. What guide did you book?

Thanks guys. > chocolatelabs - I have booked with Jesse at Three Rivers Fly shop in Broken Bow. They said they would rent me a rod, waders etc... for an additional 10 bucks. But.. I would really like to play with my new toy ( Orvis 905-4 rod w/battenkill reel)

I like free ! Thats not to far for me. Do I need to register or just show up?

Just show up. You can find times on their web page or call them.

This may be a little late, but the casting lessons are a great idea and you'll get a lot more out of your trip. For line you may want to consider a 5 weight easy mend weight forward floating line (since you seem to be a fan of orvis products). Its like a typical WF line with the added benefit of the easy mending. On the LMF you can get away with using a 7 1/2' 5x poly leader for dry flies and wet flies. I usually nymph unless I see them feeding on top. I usually tie on some floro tippet and some weighted nymph/midges. You may also want to bring some micro split shot and an indicator to experiment and see what is working.

This blog post will also help you navigate your way around other aspects of the LMF.

http://untamedoutdoors.blogspot.com/2012/08/a-first-timers-guide-to-lower-mountain.html

Good Luck!

Thanks Untammed for the tips ! Very nice BLOG with alot of really good info. 2 more weeks and Ill BE THERE !!

gone-fishing,

Let us know how the trip goes. I am especially interested because I am going up there the first week in October. It is my first time up there as well. Any pointers you pick up will be appreciated.

Also, for the LMF veterans... I am staying at the Lakeview Lodge. I am presuming I will have to drive every morning to my fishing locales? Is it as easy as pulling off the side of the road and hiking down to the water? My 70 year old father is joining me midweek and I don't want him to have to walk too terribly much.

Thanks guys. Tight lines!

Sure thing Pablotx , I will let you know how it goes. I am not sure how close you can drive to the water. I assumed that you had to walk down the river banks to get to your spot. I will let you know.

Regarding access on the LMF, there is a long hill to descend to get to upper Spillway Creek. You can walk along the bank once down there, but wading is preferred and it can be tricky. Easier access for the Evening Hole and Lost Creek area. Further down, much walking is required and the rocks in the river are very slick. If you father is not joining you until midweek, that'll give you time to scout the area and decide where it would be easiest for him to fish.