Advice for a first-time fly setup for our area?

[Carl Lettow]

Folks, I've lurked around here for a while, and could use some advice. I'm a fairly new conventional tackle fisher, looking to try out fly fishing. Any advice on a rig for our area, assuming it will be the only one I will use for a while (SWMBO said only one rod/reel for now)? I will probably stick to my usual bass, etc. targets, rather than try to go straight into trout and streams.

Thanks,
Carl.

[TurbineBlade]

You're about to hear every recommendation from 5 weight through 8 weight in every length and action.  The real answer, is you should buy 16 fly rods in every line weight, length and action from 2-8 weight or so.  You're going to do it anyway, so just do it now and get it done with right away ;).  

I would probably go for a 9' 7-weight or 8-weight rod and reel for here.  Heavier fly lines (and the rods which will cast them) are good for casting against the wind and with larger flies for bass.  Unlike spinning gear where heavy rods/line won't cast small jigs and spinners worth a darn, a heavy fly rod/line will cast all sizes of flies (big and small) more easily than a lighter rig. The trade-off is the larger, heavier fly line "slaps" the water a little harder than a light line.  If you won't use it for trout much and don't know what a chalk stream is, don't worry about this.  

Virtually any rod you buy in a fly shop will be good.  I'm a fan of Urban Angler because they were friendly and helpful when I first moved here and didn't know anything.  It's amazing how you don't always get good service as a newbie going into a specialty shop!  The Orvis shops locally are very good too.  I don't know any others.  

In a pinch, you can certainly catch plenty of trout on an 8-weight rod if you want.... no one will tell you that, but it's true.  For subsurface flies and sinking lines it may even be preferable sometimes.  

Gene

[Rob Snowhite]

9' 8wt is my reccomendation. Redington or T.F.O from Urban Angler or Orvis Clearwater. Get a bass taper line.

 

Rob Snowhite

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From: TurbineBlade <doubl...@gmail.com>
To: tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Friday, March 20, 2015 6:12 PM
Subject: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Re: Advice for a first-time fly setup for our area?

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[Rob Snowhite]

If you want to spend more money you can get the Sage BASS rod from UA or the new Orvis Recon Bass rod. Both designed at tourney regulation length and to toss big flies and pull fish out of weeds.

 

Rob Snowhite

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From: TurbineBlade <doubl...@gmail.com>
To: tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Friday, March 20, 2015 6:12 PM
Subject: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Re: Advice for a first-time fly setup for our area?

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[Scott Stankus]

I agree with Rob and Gene. I have a couple rods, but the only one I use around here is the 9' 8-weight. 

FYI - I would actually get a second spool and a line before getting a second rod. With floating and sinking lines, you'll be able to cover the entire water column. 

For most fishing, you'll probably want the floating line, but in some situations (especially during the Shad run!) you'll definitely want the sinking line. 

--Scott

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[Carl Lettow]

Thanks, much appreciated! Alright, now for a challenge. What rod for a (very tall, but not too coordinated) nine year old? Could he use the same 9 ft., 8 weight as me, or go smaller, as with his spinner rig?

[Carl Z.]

I'm going to buck the trend.  For one rod, a 9' 6wt.  It's a little big and heavy for trout around here, but it is a good all around rod.  If you are fishing the from DC downstream or the bay, it will be a bit light for big fish, but still a good rod. If you want to fish ponds for bluegill or try trout fishing, an 8wt is too heavy.

Expect to have a 7'6" 4wt and a 9' 7/8wt to cover your fishing around here.  50% of the fishing I do is with a 6 wt.  Trout fishing 20% is a 4wt and 30% is an 8wt. (ok I fish a 3wt,7wt and 9wt too, but these can be covered by the 4,6,8wt)

For a kid, drop me an email separately.  I might have something laying around.  An 8' 6wt would be great, but I wouldn't want to go shorter.  If you go too short, it gets harder to learn to cast.

Carl

On Fri, Mar 20, 2015 at 10:05 PM, Carl Lettow <cle...@gmail.com> wrote:

Thanks, much appreciated! Alright, now for a challenge.  What rod for a (very tall, but not too coordinated) nine year old? Could he use the same 9 ft., 8 weight as me, or go smaller, as with his spinner rig?

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[Terry C]

Carl, did you by chance attend The Potomac School. If so this is Terry Cummings.

[Carl Lettow]

Thanks, Carl. Now to prove my google group newness, how do I get your email? Is there a profile I am not getting on the iPad?

[Carl Lettow]

I'm an idiot, just figured it out. Thanks.

[Carl Lettow]

Terry, that's me. Very good to hear from you.

[Yambag Nelson]

I agree with this.  A 9 foot 8 weight is overkill for alot of what you will be fishing for.  If you are only going to fish the potomac, maybe, although i would disagree with that as well. 

Catching trout, panfish, smallmouth, ect will not be a whole lot of fun with an 8.  While it is on the heavy side for trout, a 6 will let you do pretty much everything.

On Friday, March 20, 2015 at 10:34:11 PM UTC-4, Carl wrote:

I'm going to buck the trend.  For one rod, a 9' 6wt.  It's a little big and heavy for trout around here, but it is a good all around rod.  If you are fishing the from DC downstream or the bay, it will be a bit light for big fish, but still a good rod. If you want to fish ponds for bluegill or try trout fishing, an 8wt is too heavy.

Expect to have a 7'6" 4wt and a 9' 7/8wt to cover your fishing around here.  50% of the fishing I do is with a 6 wt.  Trout fishing 20% is a 4wt and 30% is an 8wt. (ok I fish a 3wt,7wt and 9wt too, but these can be covered by the 4,6,8wt)

For a kid, drop me an email separately.  I might have something laying around.  An 8' 6wt would be great, but I wouldn't want to go shorter.  If you go too short, it gets harder to learn to cast.

Carl

On Fri, Mar 20, 2015 at 10:05 PM, Carl Lettow <cle...@gmail.com> wrote:

Thanks, much appreciated! Alright, now for a challenge.  What rod for a (very tall, but not too coordinated) nine year old? Could he use the same 9 ft., 8 weight as me, or go smaller, as with his spinner rig?

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[Yambag Nelson]

I would also recommend buying something inexpensive.  I started with a cortland rod and reel combo that i paid $120 for.  I have seen so many people think they want to get into flyfishing and spend a bunch of money on good gear only to see it collect dust.  Get something cheap, learn on it, and see if you really like it. You can upgrade later.  Obviously, it sticks for a lot of people and we end up with a bunch of rods but it can be a frustrating sport when you first start.  

[Terry C]

Send my an email. Let's " hook up ". I'll be glad to work with you. 

On Friday, March 20, 2015, Carl Lettow <cle...@gmail.com> wrote:

Terry, that's me. Very good to hear from you.

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[namfos]

Impeccably briliant advice as always, Gene.

Mark

[Danny Barrett]

That is very true.  My bud just got into the sport and started with a cabelas 5wt.  5 months later he added a 2 weight and a 8 weight and a now is starting to add sinking lines. haha.  

Thanks,

Dan Barrett

dannyt...@gmail.com

(540)-222-8064

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