Beginners Fly Fishing Tip: Choosing your first fly fishing outfit
To get the proper start in fly fishing you need to start with a balenced fly fishing outfit. The fly rod, fly reel and fly line need to be matched to the type of fly fishing that you will be doing.
Choosing your first fly rod and reel is very important. You need to have a balanced fly-fishing outfit, for example the fly rod and fly line need to be the same weight, #5 weight fly rod and a #5 weight fly line.
The weight and length of the fly rod will be printed on the rod just above the handle, it might read: 9’-5 weight or l08-5 (108 inches for a 5 weight). It depends on the coding that the rod manufacture uses. The weight of the fly line will be printed on the fly line box, a 5 weight could be shown as: WF-5-F, which would be a (Weight Forward), (#5 weight), (Floating fly line).
(A Fly Fishing Tip) You can "code" mark one end of the fly line with black waterproof marking pen. For example, if you have a 5-weight line just make 5 short marks around the fly line _ _ _ _ _. If you have a weight 7 make one long line and two shorts ____ _ _ and so on. On Weight Forward lines mark the "reel end" if the fly line so you don’t get confused which end of the line goes on the fly line backing.
The weight numbers of the fly rod and fly line will go up or down depending on the type and size of flies, fish, and types of waters that the angler is fishing. The common weight range is #3 thru #12. A 10-weight fly rod and line will cast large salt-water flies but is much too heavy for casting small trout flies. A 5-weight balanced outfit will work nicely for a #14 trout fly but will not cast a 3/0 tarpon fly.
Purchase a good quality brand name fly reel to match your fly rod and line so the complete outfit is balanced. I would also suggest opting for a good quality weight forward (WF) dry fly line, it will last you for years. Also have the sales clerk put the fly line and approximately 50 yards of 20 lb. fly line backing on the fly reel for you.
Some sporting goods stores and fly shops may offer a fly-fishing starter package; rod, reel and fly line. This may be a way to go but first, shop around. The next question, what should I pay for my starter outfit? Good question, but remember you get what you pay for, and you owe it to yourself to have the best you can afford. In the sport of fly fishing, quality equipment will reward you in the years ahead. Ask the sales clerks for information about the fly rods they carry, also ask to cast the different brands and sizes of rods. Get other people’s opinions, be sure to look at all the popular brands, and make your decision on what feels good to you. Fly-fishing is a never-ending learning experience, so enjoy and good fishing.
The weight and length of the fly rod will be printed on the rod just above the handle, it might read: 9’-5 weight or l08-5 (108 inches for a 5 weight). It depends on the coding that the rod manufacture uses. The weight of the fly line will be printed on the fly line box, a 5 weight could be shown as: WF-5-F, which would be a (Weight Forward), (#5 weight), (Floating fly line).
(A Fly Fishing Tip) You can "code" mark one end of the fly line with black waterproof marking pen. For example, if you have a 5-weight line just make 5 short marks around the fly line _ _ _ _ _. If you have a weight 7 make one long line and two shorts ____ _ _ and so on. On Weight Forward lines mark the "reel end" if the fly line so you don’t get confused which end of the line goes on the fly line backing.
The weight numbers of the fly rod and fly line will go up or down depending on the type and size of flies, fish, and types of waters that the angler is fishing. The common weight range is #3 thru #12. A 10-weight fly rod and line will cast large salt-water flies but is much too heavy for casting small trout flies. A 5-weight balanced outfit will work nicely for a #14 trout fly but will not cast a 3/0 tarpon fly.
Purchase a good quality brand name fly reel to match your fly rod and line so the complete outfit is balanced. I would also suggest opting for a good quality weight forward (WF) dry fly line, it will last you for years. Also have the sales clerk put the fly line and approximately 50 yards of 20 lb. fly line backing on the fly reel for you.
Some sporting goods stores and fly shops may offer a fly-fishing starter package; rod, reel and fly line. This may be a way to go but first, shop around. The next question, what should I pay for my starter outfit? Good question, but remember you get what you pay for, and you owe it to yourself to have the best you can afford. In the sport of fly fishing, quality equipment will reward you in the years ahead. Ask the sales clerks for information about the fly rods they carry, also ask to cast the different brands and sizes of rods. Get other people’s opinions, be sure to look at all the popular brands, and make your decision on what feels good to you. Fly-fishing is a never-ending learning experience, so enjoy and good fishing.
Oregon fly fishing guide, Stan Stanton
Fly fishing tips and tutorials
Fly fishing tips and tutorials
|
Use the feedback form below to submit your comments.
Use the form below to email this article to your friends.
- How to make custom fly fishing leaders
- Oregon Fly Fishing for trout on the McKenzie River
- Beginner Fly Fishing tips, Fly Fishing Stealth
- How I Learned Fly Fishing Stream Safety In 30 Seconds
- Beginner Fly Fishing Techniques, Casting The Fly
- Fly Fishing Still Going Strong
- Fly Fishing Tips For The Fly Fisher
- Fly Fishing Guides That Teach All About Fly Fishing
- Halloween Fly Fishing - The Ultimate Bite
- Annual Fly Fishing Equipment Contest
- Fly Fishing Information at a Fly Fishing Show
- Fly Fishing For Beginners - How to fly fish
- Wading Tips For The Modern Fly Fisher
- Hardy Fly Reels - The Lightweight Series