My First Fly Rod Set Up

[SteveWY]

Preface: I'm one of the only guys I know or work with who does NOT fly-cast. I've always been a spin rod type. I've been wanting to learn the craft and thought... "I need to get into fly-fishing when I retire".

Recently I was doing garage sales with LOTH and came across a deal on a 8' 6", 6 wt, graphite Browning Gold Medallion rod and a Plano rod/rell case for $20. No reel though. I figured that even a entry level rod has to be worth $20 and heck, the Plano case is worth $30! It is in fine shape and all I needed was a reel. So, I made the deal and then went online and found an eBay auction for a Shakespeare reel with line for $10.00 shipped. I'm in business for $30!

Does anyone have any experience with this rod? Any tips for me just starting out?

 

[ShaveYourSoul]

Wow! That seems like a nice setup for $30. I don't know anything about fly fishing, but I do know that the initial cost is usually a lot higher. I'm sure it'll be great for a starter!

 

[ketsco101]

That is an amazing set up for 30 bucks!!! As far as tips go, take the gear to a park, lay down a hula hoop and practice landing the tip in there. There is still quite a bit more that you will need once you really catch the fever, but for starting, the biggest thing is going to be keep your motion between 10 and 2 o'clock, give the line time to travel and don't just whip it around, it doesn't take much effort to get it going. Once you've decided it's time to land, then bring your arm down to about the 8 or 9 o'clock. Patience is a virtue, and start out without a fly on the end, it's safer that way. Other than that, enjoy the ride, there's nothing like a quiet river or stream and a flyrod. Oh, and once you do hook into a fish... fighting on a fly rod is WAY different than a spinning reel. Your hand provides most of the drag.

 

[oldbluelight]

Welcome to the club. If I remember correctly (my wife can't help on this one or I would remember correctly) those Browning rods were decent enough gear. Unless that Shakespeare reel and line was purchased used you may be in for a disappointment. Casting is as dependent on the line as it is on the rod and a $10 package is highly suspicious. Fly lines are described by three characteristics; weight, taper and their buoyancy. The weight designation of the line must match the weight designation of the rod. Too heavy or too light will only frustrate a beginner. There are three basic tapers, level, double taper and weight forward. A level line is constant in diameter end to end. A double taper begins with a small diameter that tapers up to a constant diameter for the body of the line and then tapers down to a profile that matches the other end. A weight forward also begins with a taper then has a uniform profile for about 30' before tapering back down and remaining small to the end. The level line is difficult to cast skillfully and it's the cheapest to make so it often comes with bargain gear and it's really good at tying tomato plants to a stake - and that's about all. I hope you got a good deal. But look that line over carefully and be prepared to replace it if it's a level line.

 

[Jayk]

That's a decent rod to get started with, a shop I worked at had a few in our beginner guide fleet. I would recommend taking one or two one hour casting lessons with a certified instructor. It shouldn't run too much and it will do wonders to make sure you have a great start to fly casting. The Federation of Fly Fishers (FFF) should have a list of all the instructors in your area. Fly fishing is amazing and has just as many ADs as wet shaveing. Have fun.

 

[oc_in_fw]

I need to keep an eye on this. I was rewiring the mother in law suite and came upon my Browning reel and (sadly) broken rod. I need to get back into it- although in the Fort Worth area all we have are reservoirs, and you get funny looks being the only guy with a fly rod.

 

[oldtrout]

Good deal!
Now you need to find out which of these people you know who fly fish can actually cast worth a darn and have that person get you started.

 

[73mountaineer]

You may or may not need to put new line on that reel, but I think you have a great first setup to learn on. You did well, IMHO.

There is a bit of an art to fly casting, but it isn't magic. Enjoy your new rod and reel and don't over complicate things at first. Have fun!!

 

[life2short1971]

If you pull out the line say 20' and it wont lay straight without curling at all it is no good. Good luck with everything.

 

[DrColossus11]

The Browning Gold Medal was my first fly rod too! Took it out the first time last weekend. Be careful, once you catch your first fish on it you'll be hooked...

 

[oc_in_fw]

The Browning Gold Medal was my first fly rod too! Took it out the first time last weekend. Be careful, once you catch your first fish on it you'll be hooked...

You guys got me itching now

 

[ShaveYourSoul]

I need to keep an eye on this. I was rewiring the mother in law suite and came upon my Browning reel and (sadly) broken rod. I need to get back into it- although in the Fort Worth area all we have are reservoirs, and you get funny looks being the only guy with a fly rod.

What are you fly fishin' for around here?

 

[SteveWY]

Welcome to the club. If I remember correctly (my wife can't help on this one or I would remember correctly) those Browning rods were decent enough gear. Unless that Shakespeare reel and line was purchased used you may be in for a disappointment. Casting is as dependent on the line as it is on the rod and a $10 package is highly suspicious. Fly lines are described by three characteristics; weight, taper and their buoyancy. The weight designation of the line must match the weight designation of the rod. Too heavy or too light will only frustrate a beginner. There are three basic tapers, level, double taper and weight forward. A level line is constant in diameter end to end. A double taper begins with a small diameter that tapers up to a constant diameter for the body of the line and then tapers down to a profile that matches the other end. A weight forward also begins with a taper then has a uniform profile for about 30' before tapering back down and remaining small to the end. The level line is difficult to cast skillfully and it's the cheapest to make so it often comes with bargain gear and it's really good at tying tomato plants to a stake - and that's about all. I hope you got a good deal. But look that line over carefully and be prepared to replace it if it's a level line.

Thanks for the info. The reel is in perfect/new condition but I'm not going to trust the line not knowing what it is or how long it was on the reel. I stretched it out and it didn't seem to have much memory. My plan is to use it while I am getting started and then replace it all with new line, leader, tippet next spring before getting serious on the water. This info is all helpful and I will save this thread for my future reference.

 

[SteveWY]

I need to keep an eye on this. I was rewiring the mother in law suite and came upon my Browning reel and (sadly) broken rod. I need to get back into it- although in the Fort Worth area all we have are reservoirs, and you get funny looks being the only guy with a fly rod.

Hey, I suppose you could cast a nightcrawler or popper with your fly rod and you would fit in!

 

[oc_in_fw]

What are you fly fishin' for around here?

I've done bass, but that was years ago.

 

[life2short1971]

Got me itching too but around me I either have to drive to the gulf and wade in a saltwater bay or wade in a bar pit with alligators and other not so friendly critters if I want to fish local. I used to love fishing for brook and rainbow trout in streams and rivers but I think the nearest trout stream is a 6 hour ride.

 

[ShaveYourSoul]

I've done bass, but that was years ago.

I had no idea! I bet it's a blast to hook a bass

 

[Slash McCoy]

Tie on a rubber spider or a tiny popper and you can have a blast catching bluegill, crappie, and the odd bass. I have even caught freshwater catfish on dry flies LOL! Just tie something on and cast. Watch out for the trees! You will catch something. Fish get tired of chasing hula spinners and foot-long rapalas and things that go splunk, gurgle gurgle splunk, gurgle gurgle, and the latest fashionable color of jelly worms or gummy gators. And now you gently land a pretty little wooly booger or coachman or a good ol rubber spider on the water, give it a few seconds and then a few enticing twitches, and if a fish is there, never seen a dry fly before, better hang on.

Most common streamer patterns work okay in clear water. Try to get them down deep for bass, if topwater conditions are no good. A sinking line is much to be desired for this.

The real test is tying on a #12 hook and casting a cricket. Elitists, please ignore. Guys who want to catch a bunch of fish, listen up. Casting a cricket or small grasshopper with a fly rod is not easy... live stuff isn't as sturdy as tied stuff, but this will definitely cure you of "bullwhip" casting. And you will catch all the panfish your cooler will hold, in the right spots with the right conditions. Hardly any fresh water fish can resist a cricket struggling across the surface of the water. When you run out of crickets, tie on a fly. You might still catch something. If not, go get more crickets. And beer.

 

[oc_in_fw]

Tie on a rubber spider or a tiny popper and you can have a blast catching bluegill, crappie, and the odd bass. I have even caught freshwater catfish on dry flies LOL! Just tie something on and cast. Watch out for the trees! You will catch something. Fish get tired of chasing hula spinners and foot-long rapalas and things that go splunk, gurgle gurgle splunk, gurgle gurgle, and the latest fashionable color of jelly worms or gummy gators. And now you gently land a pretty little wooly booger or coachman or a good ol rubber spider on the water, give it a few seconds and then a few enticing twitches, and if a fish is there, never seen a dry fly before, better hang on.

Most common streamer patterns work okay in clear water. Try to get them down deep for bass, if topwater conditions are no good. A sinking line is much to be desired for this.

The real test is tying on a #12 hook and casting a cricket. Elitists, please ignore. Guys who want to catch a bunch of fish, listen up. Casting a cricket or small grasshopper with a fly rod is not easy... live stuff isn't as sturdy as tied stuff, but this will definitely cure you of "bullwhip" casting. And you will catch all the panfish your cooler will hold, in the right spots with the right conditions. Hardly any fresh water fish can resist a cricket struggling across the surface of the water. When you run out of crickets, tie on a fly. You might still catch something. If not, go get more crickets. And beer.

Pan fish are a blast- a lot of fight for their size.

 

[life2short1971]

I have fished rivers wher live bait was illegal on a fly rod and the river was fly fishing only so know the regulations first...