Im needing advice on fly fishing. I have been fishing pretty much all my life, from ponds to off shore. But I have never fly fished but I have always wanted to. Any advice is welcomed concerning tackel and techniques. I'll be fishing in Okla mostly, Beavers Bend, and back home at Robbers Cave etc.

Thanks Bubba.

Just a few thoughts based on my mistakes years ago having been a conventional gear fisherman for decades:

Do NOT buy a cheapo rod. Check out Temple Fork Outfitters (TFO)and Orvis (Clearwater line), and consider a 9' 8wt. 4 piece rod and a medium or moderate action - more forgiving than a fast action rod. Expect to pay, say $200 - $250. Excellent used rods can be found too.

While less important that the rod, buy a decent reel with a decent drag. Expect to pay about $50 - $75. Again, TFO and Orvis have some excellent choices.

Learn the knots and mount NEW dacron backing (about $10) and a good NEW weight forward floating (WFF)line on your new reel. Say, $35 - $70. Some rod/reel combos will come with backing and line already mounted for you.

Buy some new 9' leaders and learn the knots for tying on a fly.

Buy a few poppers and of course a couple of Clouser Minnows.

Line up someone who can teach you how to cast or go to a casting class. If you have to pay, it's $ well spent. Check with your local fly shop. Think of it as fishing's version of golf. And like taking golf lessons from a friend, you will quickly pick up his bad habits. For that reason I recommend a pro.

This will all be new to you - from putting the rod together to "strip striking" a fish and everything in between. Books and videos can deliver tons of info. Maybe check into the video Fly Casting with Chico Fernandez.

Prepare for an addiction for which there is no known cure and welcome!

I agree with most advice above, but think you should start with a lighter rod, say a 5 or 6 weight. It will be easier to learn to cast and more appropriate for the trout at Beaver's Bend, while still heavy enough for most bass and panfish.

If you're gonna be mostly fishing Broken Bow do NOT buy an 8wt I'd get a 3 or 5wt for there. 8wt is what I used for big bass and reds and is way too much rod for small trout imo.

TFO makes good stuff. Sage makes my favorite rods but the Orvis entry level rods are good too. Go to the shops and cast them before you buy to make sure you get one that feels good for you.

I have a couple of tfo rods on eBay for pretty cheap a tfo ticrx 5wt and tfo axiom 6wt.

Before you do any of the rest of the things suggested, all of which were good advice, find a Certified Casting Instructor near you and take at least one casting lesson. Undoing poor casting techniques will take years and make your fly flinging much less enjoyable.

There is also a lot of great information in this thread: http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbt...now#Post3989286

Head down to Athens, TX the second Saturday in March for "Fly Fish Texas". It is the largest fly fishing show in the state. You can get a casting lesson, learn about fly tying, learn about fly fishing, fish the ponds, and test cast any of rods TFO makes.

Rex

This sounds like the place I need to go. I'll be there.