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Thread: Educate me on fly rods

  1. #11
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    I concur with chaunc. Wal-Mart will have what you need. For gill, crappie or any sunfish, the lighter the wt, the more action/sensitivity in the rod.
    Cast bead head spiders for bluegill or any sunfish. I personally use a 3 wt rod. Remember, the reel is not important for casting, just reeling.........
    if your doing it right. I use 2 lb. tippet to tie the fly on. The rod acts as your shock absorber. Leave the drag very light and allow the fish to tire itself out.
    Never horse a fish with a fly rod. The fight is half the fun. By no means an expert, but 15 years of experience. I tie a fly that looks like floating catfish
    food and fish for channel cats up to 10 lbs, using a 3 wt rod and 2 lb. tippet. Let 'em run, the fight is half the fun.
    "Proud Member of Team Geezer"



  2. #12
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    I suggest you go with the 5wt 9' Rod. I enjoy flyfishing for bream as well. However a 2 wt rod is for when you become proficient and want to move into the trout arena, You are totaly dependant on the weight of the fly line to cast the fly. A 5 or 6 wt is easier to cast and takes nothing away from the fight of the small fish. Also a rod shorter than 8 ft is more difficult to cast when you are first learning. I bought the starter kit from LL Bean and got a 7.5 ft 5 wt rod and I struggled with casting it any distance. A friend let me try his 6 wt 9 ft rod and my distance almost doubled.
    Not to confuse the matter but you should consider a weight forward floating fly line. It put more weight on the front of the line and makes it easier to cast and the floating line makes things simple. Also don't get hung up on the myriad of tapered leader talk. The new tapered braided leaders are the best thing since sliced bread. Put one of those on your outfit with about 2 or 3 ft of 4# test line ahead of it tied to your popper and away you go. Don't overlook floating flies also. The Griffin Gnat is deadly on bream. I tie some flies but nothing fancy and the Griffin Gnat is very easy to tie, but you can get them at BPS or other fishing stores. Only problem with a Griffin Gnat, as I proved yesterday, a 3 or 4 inch bluegill will eat it.
    It is a load of fun so go for it. Like others said you can get a good combo for under $100.
    SeaRay
    Mark 1:17 ...I will make you fishers of men

  3. #13
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    Good info, I too would like to get into fly fishing for BG's.
    The best way to get to where you want to be in the future is to act like you are there TODAY.

  4. #14
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    The higher the number on the rod and line generally means a heavier the outfit. It's more suitable for casting bigger flies and streamers to fish like bass, steelhead & salmon, and casting in higher wind conditions. You'll notice, if you watch any of the salt water fishing shows, that most people are fly fishing with a 9 weight and up. I second the suggestion of the Scientific Angler combo at Wally World. The 5/6 weight outfit will be just about right for bluegill, crappie & bass. I've seen several people cast the entire line (90 feet) with that rod, and that's more than you'll probably ever need. Fly fishing isn't supposed to be about "look how well I'm dressed and the expensive rod I'm using." It's supposed to be about having fun. And that S/A combo can do that for you.
    Where you go is less important than how you take the steps.
    But don't forget the Roadrunners

  5. #15
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    Its funny how many people are suggesting WalMart or BPS to get an inexpensive flyrod for bluegill. My question is, is that where you go to buy your cheap crappie rods and reels? I suggested a local flyshop because WalMart just doesn't have the fly selection most people want and if you don't support the smaller shops they will close up and then you will be stuck ordering all of your flies! Our "local" fly shop just closed its doors last month!
    Just my 2 cents!
    "I envy not him that eats better meat than I do; nor him that is richer, or that wears better clothes than I do; I envy him, and him only, that catches more fish than I do."
    Izaak Walton, 1653

  6. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by DroptineJoe View Post
    Its funny how many people are suggesting WalMart or BPS to get an inexpensive flyrod for bluegill.
    Most people don't have the luxury of having a fly shop close by.

  7. #17
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    The last time I went to a local professional fly shop they laughed at me. Soured me pretty bad. I've never been back. I tie my own flies, so Cabela's is fine for me. I know I'm biased, based on my experience with one shop, but guess what. It also happened at the next pro shop I went to. Perhaps I'm funny, but I won't be laughed at.
    Where you go is less important than how you take the steps.
    But don't forget the Roadrunners

  8. #18
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    Happens in all groups. Used to love cycling, but the attitude and elitism that surrounds some bike shops is sickening.
    The best way to get to where you want to be in the future is to act like you are there TODAY.

  9. #19
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    Fly fishing elitist view fly fishing for bluegill the same way crappie fishermen view bass fishermen. I never really care what I was catching as long as I was having fun. Now I would rather catch a 2# crappie than a 6 oz perch, but choosing between the perch and catching nothing I will go with the perch. If you are just glad to be outdoors and enjoying God's creation then it is all fun. Some folks loose sight of that unfortunately.
    SeaRay
    Mark 1:17 ...I will make you fishers of men

  10. #20
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    I first purchased a 5 wt kit from academy and learned to cast and roll with it. But I since moved up. I got a 3wt. 6'6" from LL bean and love it. Its way better than the kits from Walmart.

    It's a 2 piece. Keep it in a spinning rod holder in the back seat of my truck. I always stop in the evenings at the park and let the gills have it.

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