Re: Best Starter Rod Combos

[Vince]

Steve,

You will definitely get some good advice here on this, but just wanted to put a plug in for my philosophy when asked this question.  I highly recommend checking out some of the fly fishing classified ad forums (washington fly fishing, spey pages, kienes) and getting a higher end rod used (orvis, winston, sage, scott, etc..)  While this will cost you a little more up front, you will be happier longer with it.  You will have to do your research to know what is good and what prices you should expect.  The added benefit is that if you end up not staying with the sport, you can easily resell the rod for pretty much what you paid for it.  It is really hard to sell off used starter rods.  As for reels, I wouldn't worry too much early on about a quality reel...unless you get into big fish, they are just glorified line holders!

Just another note, I am a huge advocate for supporting the local fly shops on all of your purchases...and believe me, if you get in this sport there will be many!  Just recommend for that first rod, going with something nicer, but used for the value/resell aspect.  

Vince

On Wednesday, April 3, 2013 5:47:17 PM UTC-4, Steve wrote:

Hello! New to the group here.I'm looking at getting into the sport this year but don't want to break the bank to do so, at least initially. Does anyone have recommendations on any of these combos or are there other options out there?  Is it worth spending more for a first rod or should I wait a year or so? These are all 9' 8wt 4pc.and range $125-$240.

 

Redington Pursuit

LLBean Streamlight

Orvis Streamline

ECHO Solo

Wildwater 7/8 Freshwater Starter

 

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

[TurbineBlade]

Any of the rods on your list are probably pretty decent, particularly in the hands of a good caster....which makes far more difference than the rod (provided you get up above the really low-end department store rods).  Most of the problems I've had casting and fishing would never be solved by spending more money on a rod -- it's just that I lack the skill ;).  I notice more and more that my fly rods are actually better and better the more I cast and fish 'em ;).   

I'll second the recommendation to hit the local shop!  Finding a good fly shop around here is (thankfully) extremely easy.  I'll give a plug to Urban -- I've never regretted a trip there.  

Gene

[Cgloeck]

Throw a fly with it before you buy it.  I agree with Vince on buying local, particularly if you are new to the addiction (that is a warning) if you visit a local shop they can get you into a combo that fits your budget. But the best value is the education they can deliver when you shop locally. They can teach you gear, rod, line, leader, species specific info, where to fish....all the stuff that makes you a better angler.  They will let you cast some rods....you will probably walkout with a better cast and a new rod. 

Welcome to flyfishing!  

Charlie

Sent from my iPad

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[Rob Snowhite]

Just want to share what Lefty Kreh told me when Gene and I recently interviewed him for my podcast. He said to stay away from the kits and spend the extra bucks for a low end rod and reel to match.

 

Rob Snowhite

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From: TurbineBlade <doubl...@gmail.com>
To: tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, April 3, 2013 6:27 PM
Subject: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Re: Best Starter Rod Combos

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[Matt S.]

If you can wait a few weeks, bring your wallet to the Virginia Fly Fishing Festival. Lots of options to peruse and you can get a casting lesson and fish with it right there, weather permitting. Here's the deets:
http://www.vaflyfishingfestival.org/

You will not be sorry if you attend.

[Brendan]

similar discussion from two months ago that might be useful...   https://groups.google.com/d/msg/tidal-potomac-fly-rodders/g5eBT6JqbWQ/HueOJ6Kvfc8J

don't need to hit a home run w/ your first setup, but you want something that isn't going to fall apart and rust away on you. not familiar w/ the last two rods but the rest are all decent, inexpensive options. TFO also makes some very decent cheap rods.  go with whatever feels good.  

[Eric Y.]

Do it right the first time and buy something somewhat decent. You don't have to break the bank and good deals are definitely out there. You'll appreciate it as you get better, and maybe have some sort of strange attachment to that rod and the action. The first fly rod I ever bought was a St. Croix Imperial, 9' 5wt 2 piece. Actually, my mother bought it for me when she saw it on close out at a then-closing Sportsman's Warehouse - it was really her investment to protect her grandfather's the one piece fiberglass rod she caught me trying to cast with in the driveway (complete with a Pfleuger auto-retrieve reel). She paid $80 for the St. Croix with a Ross Fly Start 2 reel. I reach for that rod more than even my two ZG's when I'm heading to trout waters. 

[John Bilotta]

Steve,

I believe you can find a good rod for you in your price range. I usually recommend a 6 wt for a first rod and make sure to invest in a good fly line. 

I would also try and budget some of your money on lessons, both as you start out, and then as you begin to improve.

John

[McFly]

The first thing you should do is go to several websites and ask inquire about what gear you'll need for the fish your going after, it's better to ask around on sites that have no stake in selling you merchandise. You can then go to the clearance section on websites like Cabela's, Orvis, Feather-craft and The fly Shop and see what's available in your price range then check the net for reviews on that equipment and go from there.

[Richard Farino]

Ditto on John’s comments.

In addition, I can’t speak for any of the other outfits mentioned, but we intentionally stock the Redington Pursuit outfits because they’re a quality medium-fast action rod and you get great bang for your buck at $179.

 

They’re all designed by the same guys at Sage, but manufactured overseas and the price is low to reflect that.

 

You’re welcome to demo any of them.

 

 

Regards,

 

 

R

 

 

Richard Farino

Urban Angler VA | 108 N. Washington Street  2nd Floor | Alexandria, VA 22314

(703) 527-2524 | fax: (703) 527-3313 | ric...@urbanangler.com

[Eric Y.]

Final word of advice I would add is to go for a rod with a good warranty. Orvis, Sage, TFO seem to have the some of the better warranties. St. Croix's warranty is a bit pricey for some rod models, and Redington's warranty does not cover "direct, indirect, consequential, incidental or any other type of damage resulting from the use of the product", which is pretty worthless to me, but your mileage may vary.

[Matthew Longley]

I'm no authority, but I have 2 LL Bean streamlights (5wt and 9wt, both 9') and love them.  Grew up down the street from Beans, and they have a lifetime satisfaction guarantee that covers everything (my uncle shut his rod in a car door, told them about it, and they replaced it no charge).  For just over 100 bucks a rod, its a pretty great deal.  Though I've never really spent time with a nicer rod, so maybe I'm missing out on something.  My theory is: start with something that won't break the bank and carries a good warranty, develop an opinion, then when you are ready make an informed purchase of something nice.  Keep the starter rod as a backup (apparently everyone travels with a backup rod, which for me is a 30 dollar eagle creek!).

[Eric Y.]

Forgot about Bean's warranty. I belive theirs is probably the best, actually, because they don't have a "processing fee".

 

Any idea who makes their blanks?

[Steve]

Thanks guys for the tips and advice. I'm really looking forward to getting into this and even learning to tie some flies.

[TurbineBlade]

Yeah, fly tying is really enjoyable to me in addition to fishing.  I got one of those "Grizzly-Ergo bobbins" from Urban and having this tool really increased my enjoyment for it.  

My wife calls it "crafts for dudes" but so long as you grow a beard and/or wear flannel occasionally, you'll maintain balance.  

Gene

[Vic Velasco]

I think the G Loomis and Echo Rajeffs are brothers (Steve and Jeff) but definitely not the same guy.

I started out with a Redington Crosswater 8wt and a Sage 1880 reel - still have them but am swinging the original Helios.  I chose my starting rig by reading the annual gear reviews and seeing what more knowledgeable people were saying about all the rods.  In the Redington Crosswater case, they said they were floored that an entry level rod performed as well as it did.  The cork quality wasn't nearly as good as my Helios, but that rod has still never let me down (and I have broken others).

A great rod make a tremendous difference - and getting last year's models helps keep the wallet damage to a minimum (I try not to pay full retail - coupons, sales, and even gently used are all ways to get a better rod for not much more than a new lower end rod).

[Richard Farino]

Steve (Loomis) and Tim (Echo) Rajeff are brothers.

 

Redington stiffened up the Pursuit rod and now you have a faster entry level rod.  I use one as a backup 5-wt.  It used to be my girlfriend’s rod, but she decided she liked my Winston better.

 

 

R

 

Richard Farino

Urban Angler VA | 108 N. Washington Street  2nd Floor | Alexandria, VA 22314

(703) 527-2524 | fax: (703) 527-3313 | ric...@urbanangler.com

 

From: tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com [mailto:tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Vic Velasco
Sent: Thursday, April 04, 2013 9:24 PM
To: tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com
Subject: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Re: Best Starter Rod Combos

 

I think the G Loomis and Echo Rajeffs are brothers (Steve and Jeff) but definitely not the same guy.

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[Evan Owen]

Lots of good advice here, but let me ask a question, what kind of fish do you want to catch with your fly rod.  I've dne most of my fishing overseas, so I'm no Potomac expert, but I have not seen much here that would really challenge an 8wt, maybe a 6wt would give you more options?

[Danny Barrett]

I fish a 1(brook trout rod),5(most trout streams), and 7 wt(bass and when ever im using sink lines). And i havent found a river i cant fish.

Dan Barrett

(540) 222-8064
dannyt...@gmail.com

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[McFly]

a 5 wt is good for most fish in the Potomac, if you want something a little heavier to handle Rockfish-Large Carp-Big Catfish get an 8 wt, St Croix and Redington make very good roods at bargain prices, Orvis makes the best bargain price-light weight reels in the Battenkill bar stock. Scientific Angler makes good value price line, tippet and leaders. Get the accessories in a set from a shop like Cabela's look in the clearance section of Orvis, Cabela's and Feather-Craft. If you want a shop in this area you can walk into to check out the equipment Bass Pro in Arundel Mills, Orvis in Tyson Corner and the Urban Angler. Orvis and Bass Pro have good sales on flies but if you can wait the Fly Shack can set you up for flies as low as .39 cents. The sets usually have very average gear like cheap line and reels, don't get into this high price gear like Abel reels or Sage rods, you don't need a 600.00 reel and a 700.00 rod to catch fish. The guys that say you need all this high priced equipment are being paid by these companies to sell this gear. The fish aren't going to know you have a Abel reel. 

[namfos]

Amen!

[Richard Farino]

A 6-weight is the rod we recommend to most people.  You’ll be able to throw sinking lines for shad, big Klawdads for smallmouth, Clousers for stripers, smaller poppers for largemouth, and a bunch for carp as well.

 

You choose gear and flies based on your budget, but remember you get what you pay for.  For .39 cents, you couldn’t tie the flies yourself.

 

And no – the fish aren’t going to know you have an Abel reel.  Just like the pavement doesn’t know you wear fancy sneakers – your feet do.

 

Do what fits you best.

 

 

R

 

 

Richard Farino

Urban Angler VA | 108 N. Washington Street  2nd Floor | Alexandria, VA 22314

(703) 527-2524 | fax: (703) 527-3313 | ric...@urbanangler.com

 

From: tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com [mailto:tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of McFly
Sent: Sunday, April 07, 2013 1:45 PM
To: tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com
Subject: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Re: Best Starter Rod Combos

 

a 5 wt is good for most fish in the Potomac, if you want something a little heavier to handle Rockfish-Large Carp-Big Catfish get an 8 wt, St Croix and Redington make very good roods at bargain prices, Orvis makes the best bargain price-light weight reels in the Battenkill bar stock. Scientific Angler makes good value price line, tippet and leaders. Get the accessories in a set from a shop like Cabela's look in the clearance section of Orvis, Cabela's and Feather-Craft. If you want a shop in this area you can walk into to check out the equipment Bass Pro in Arundel Mills, Orvis in Tyson Corner and the Urban Angler. Orvis and Bass Pro have good sales on flies but if you can wait the Fly Shack can set you up for flies as low as .39 cents. The sets usually have very average gear like cheap line and reels, don't get into this high price gear like Abel reels or Sage rods, you don't need a 600.00 reel and a 700.00 rod to catch fish. The guys that say you need all this high priced equipment are being paid by these companies to sell this gear. The fish aren't going to know you have a Abel reel. 

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[McFly]

The 6 wt is a very good middle of the road rod and it's very few fish here that 6 wt can't slay.

[Nedak]

Been meaning to reply.  As the owner of (formerly of 2) wild water rods, I will say I am pretty pleased with the 5wt freshwater starter package.  The 9/10 saltwater starter went back.  Reel broke 3 times on me.  I heard that they had problems with the reels.

FWIW I would go with a bigger "name" brand that those below have recommended.  After spending a day in CO last month fishing w. a Helios, I am seriously reevaluating a new rod purchase.

As a newbie, they all say it below, go to the shop and test out the rods.  You will find one that fits you. 

[McFly]

I know many of the people on the board are going with 8wt but I started using a 5wt 3 years ago and it's the best combo for me, I use an Abel Creek 2 with a WF5F line that I got off EBay for 130.00 with the New Orvis Hydros line on it and a Redington Crosswater rod which I also got off cabelas for 39.00. Cheap gear is like cheap anything they have to cut corners someplace so just look at some of the clearance sections and piece your gear together for cheap. I picked up an Abel Trout 2 for 197.00 with an extra spool which I have intermediate and sinking line on, these two reels and one rod have carried me through the last 3 seasons.

[Carl Z.]

Wow, this thread popped back up. 

I've been thinking about this question recently and I'm all for a good, intro level rod in whatever you are going to fish for today.  Something in the $100-$200 range (Echo, Reddington, Orvis Clearwater).  Save your money for good waders, boots, vest/pack, flies, tippet.  

Then expect to buy another rod for other types of fishing.  If you are going to go out shad fishing, buy an 8wt (or maybe 7wt to double for smallmouth fishing ).  If you are going to SNP, buy a 7'6" 4wt.  You're not going to use it for bass or shad, but it is good for brookies.  

For most fishing around here, a cheap reel will suffice. 

You can always add stuff later.

Carl

--

Carl Zmola

On Tue, Apr 5, 2016 at 11:08 PM, Evan D <edin...@gmail.com> wrote:

Wow, this thread blew up. Lots of good info up there, but to keep things simple...the Redington Pursuit is a good, solid rod combo that doesn't break the bank. That was my first 8wt rod and I still use it from time to time. Solid rod, good reel, and it comes with pretty decent line...no reason to spend more at this point. It's got my approval.

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[Ashley Frohwein]

LL Bean makes some great starter setups. 

On Wednesday, April 6, 2016 at 1:22:51 PM UTC-4, Carl wrote:

Wow, this thread popped back up. 

I've been thinking about this question recently and I'm all for a good, intro level rod in whatever you are going to fish for today.  Something in the $100-$200 range (Echo, Reddington, Orvis Clearwater).  Save your money for good waders, boots, vest/pack, flies, tippet.  

Then expect to buy another rod for other types of fishing.  If you are going to go out shad fishing, buy an 8wt (or maybe 7wt to double for smallmouth fishing ).  If you are going to SNP, buy a 7'6" 4wt.  You're not going to use it for bass or shad, but it is good for brookies.  

For most fishing around here, a cheap reel will suffice. 

You can always add stuff later.

Carl

--

Carl Zmola

On Tue, Apr 5, 2016 at 11:08 PM, Evan D <edin...@gmail.com> wrote:

Wow, this thread blew up. Lots of good info up there, but to keep things simple...the Redington Pursuit is a good, solid rod combo that doesn't break the bank. That was my first 8wt rod and I still use it from time to time. Solid rod, good reel, and it comes with pretty decent line...no reason to spend more at this point. It's got my approval.

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[TurbineBlade]

The current best starter set-up is a random guy on ebay selling a 6 or 7-weight fenwick for about 60-100 bucks.  No!  Any fly rod is a good fly rod.  I'm happy fishing with pretty much whatever, though I probably would prefer something 5-weight or above for most fishing situations.

I don't like extremely short rods, and I don't like extremely light line weights.   

It's more important to go fishing a lot than it is to take an analytical view of what rod matches what type of fishing though ;). 

Gene

[Matthew Longley]

If you wanna get REALLY starter, eagle claw actually makes perfectly serviceable fly rods for about 30 bucks. Just add a used reel/line.

On Wed, Apr 6, 2016 at 2:11 PM, TurbineBlade <doubl...@gmail.com> wrote:

The current best starter set-up is a random guy on ebay selling a 6 or 7-weight fenwick for about 60-100 bucks.  No!  Any fly rod is a good fly rod.  I'm happy fishing with pretty much whatever, though I probably would prefer something 5-weight or above for most fishing situations.

I don't like extremely short rods, and I don't like extremely light line weights.   

It's more important to go fishing a lot than it is to take an analytical view of what rod matches what type of fishing though ;). 

Gene

On Wednesday, April 6, 2016 at 1:27:17 PM UTC-4, Ashley Frohwein wrote:

LL Bean makes some great starter setups. 

On Wednesday, April 6, 2016 at 1:22:51 PM UTC-4, Carl wrote:

Wow, this thread popped back up. 

I've been thinking about this question recently and I'm all for a good, intro level rod in whatever you are going to fish for today.  Something in the $100-$200 range (Echo, Reddington, Orvis Clearwater).  Save your money for good waders, boots, vest/pack, flies, tippet.  

Then expect to buy another rod for other types of fishing.  If you are going to go out shad fishing, buy an 8wt (or maybe 7wt to double for smallmouth fishing ).  If you are going to SNP, buy a 7'6" 4wt.  You're not going to use it for bass or shad, but it is good for brookies.  

For most fishing around here, a cheap reel will suffice. 

You can always add stuff later.

Carl

--

Carl Zmola

On Tue, Apr 5, 2016 at 11:08 PM, Evan D <edin...@gmail.com> wrote:

Wow, this thread blew up. Lots of good info up there, but to keep things simple...the Redington Pursuit is a good, solid rod combo that doesn't break the bank. That was my first 8wt rod and I still use it from time to time. Solid rod, good reel, and it comes with pretty decent line...no reason to spend more at this point. It's got my approval.

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[Andrew Sarcinello]

Noticed the original dates on this were 2013 and was not gonna reply - but what the heck, if anyone reading happens to be looking for a beginner setup, I will add my two cents to the good advice already given. Take with a grain of salt as I have never been a huge gear guy and haven't been fly fishing all that long myself.

I fully agree with the 5/6 wt recommendation instead of an 8 wt.

I started with an older Cabela's Prestige 5 wt rod and reel combo. It was awesome and was only about $70! That rod withstood a lot of abuse. I just recently busted the reel by falling in Shenandoah and instinctively tossing my rod aside, where it fell about 4 feet and smacked the reel on a rock. Great setup. My biggest accomplishment on that rod was keeping a 50+ lb stingray on the line for a half hour before finally snapping the tippet - the rod was doing just fine through all that.

Steer clear of the newer Cabela's "Three Forks" combos. Between myself, my dad, and a friend, 3/4 combos have broken in one place or another, and the 4th is my current 6 wt. It hasn't broken but the reel comes loose and falls off every 10 minutes if I forget to keep tightening it.

My other two combos are both TFOs and I absolutely LOVE these rods. One is a 4 wt Lefty Kreh Professional Series II which I use for trout. It is a great dry fly rod but also has the backbone to toss heavy sculpins and woolly buggers with ease. Think it cost me $160 and got a used reel and line from a friend for $20. Reel on a 4 wt is not very important.

Other setup is not beginner level price, 8 wt TFO Clouser series rod, but it is another fantastic TFO rod.

I've fished a couple different Redington setups in trout sizes and to be honest was not a fan. They seemed way too stiff. Just my opinion, others seem to love them.

[Carl Z.]

I like the Reddington CT (not a stiff rod and a bargain, I haven't tried the others).  

And Gene,  I am not random. 

Carl

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[TurbineBlade]

Oh yeah, I could have shortened it to "ask this guy Carl" I suppose ;).  I have physical evidence that Carl can not only cast, but also ferrule, wrap and seat fly rods.  That's a skill I'll probably never develop. 

Gene

On Sunday, April 10, 2016 at 11:47:24 AM UTC-4, Carl wrote:

I like the Reddington CT (not a stiff rod and a bargain, I haven't tried the others).  

And Gene,  I am not random. 

Carl

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Carl Zmola

On Sun, Apr 10, 2016 at 12:40 AM, Andrew Sarcinello <andy...@gmail.com> wrote:

Noticed the original dates on this were 2013 and was not gonna reply - but what the heck, if anyone reading happens to be looking for a beginner setup, I will add my two cents to the good advice already given. Take with a grain of salt as I have never been a huge gear guy and haven't been fly fishing all that long myself.

I fully agree with the 5/6 wt recommendation instead of an 8 wt.

I started with an older Cabela's Prestige 5 wt rod and reel combo. It was awesome and was only about $70! That rod withstood a lot of abuse. I just recently busted the reel by falling in Shenandoah and instinctively tossing my rod aside, where it fell about 4 feet and smacked the reel on a rock. Great setup. My biggest accomplishment on that rod was keeping a 50+ lb stingray on the line for a half hour before finally snapping the tippet - the rod was doing just fine through all that.

Steer clear of the newer Cabela's "Three Forks" combos. Between myself, my dad, and a friend, 3/4 combos have broken in one place or another, and the 4th is my current 6 wt. It hasn't broken but the reel comes loose and falls off every 10 minutes if I forget to keep tightening it.

My other two combos are both TFOs and I absolutely LOVE these rods. One is a 4 wt Lefty Kreh Professional Series II which I use for trout. It is a great dry fly rod but also has the backbone to toss heavy sculpins and woolly buggers with ease. Think it cost me $160 and got a used reel and line from a friend for $20. Reel on a 4 wt is not very important.

Other setup is not beginner level price, 8 wt TFO Clouser series rod, but it is another fantastic TFO rod.

I've fished a couple different Redington setups in trout sizes and to be honest was not a fan.  They seemed way too stiff. Just my opinion, others seem to love them.

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