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What is a good starter rod and reel for someone who is getting started? I have a few question what rod,reel & line weight to buy? I want to use it for trout & crappie fishing. I have looked at some TFO rods and reels but I dont know much about this stuff yet. I could also use some tips on how to pick files and how to fish them? Thank you very much for your help and Info.
I'd go with an 8.5-9' 5wt. That's a very versatile rod. Also, I'd get a combo (rod, reel and line already put together for you.) That way, you don't have to "mix and match" and figure it out on your own. Here is one good combo:
Amazon.com: Scientific Anglers Species Specific Fly Fishing Outfit Combo: Sports & Outdoors
It's rigged and ready to fish. It even comes with a DVD. I'd get the Panfish or the Trout model. (The only difference is the DVD that comes with it.)
Other good combos are:
Bass Pro Hobbs Creek
Cabelas Three Forks
Redington Crosswater
A TFO combo will cost you a little more, but they are excellent rods and they come with a lifetime warranty. I have two TFO rods and would recommend them to anybody.
If you like to read, here is an excellent book:
Amazon.com: L.L. Bean Fly-Fishing Handbook, 2nd (L. L. Bean) (9781592282937): Dave Whitlock: Books
Also, check the newsstand. Fly Fisherman magazine has its annual "intro to fly fishing" issue out right now. It has a lot of good tips in it.
Any good DVD or book will have some info on fly selection. It really depends on what you're fishing for and where. One good all-round pattern is a woolly bugger. (It's basically a chenille-and-marabou crappie jig without the jig head.) It will catch anything. I like white or chartreuse for crappie and black for bass and bluegill. Olive is very good for trout. Any standard trout nymph like a pheasant tail, hare's ear, or prince will catch trout and bluegill. Add some small poppers or spiders for topwater action.Quote:
Originally Posted by midnight_f150
Thank you deathb4disco for your help. The guy at the shop had me looking at both 4 & 5 wt rods. would a 4wt rod be ok to use?
There's not that much difference between a 4 and a 5. You should be OK with a 4wt. A 5wt will allow you to cast bigger/heavier flies a little easier. When picking a rod, start out with the flies you want to cast. That will tell you what line/rod to choose.
If you're talking to a guy in a shop, I'd definitely pay attention to his advice. He has a better idea of your local situation than I do. This "what's a good starter outfit?" question comes up fairly regularly, and it's usually from someone who's not within 100 miles of a decent fly shop. Arkansas has some good trout waters, so it's not surprising you have a fly shop nearby.
If you buy a rod from him, get him to give you a casting lesson. Or, if they have an "intro to FF class", sign up for it. It will save you a lot of frustration.
BTW, this book I mentioned:
Amazon.com: L.L. Bean Fly-Fishing Handbook, 2nd (L. L. Bean) (9781592282937): Dave Whitlock: Books
... is written by Dave Whitlock. He's originally from Oklahoma, but he spent many years in Arkansas fishing the White River and running his fly fishing school.
TFO stuff is good. I'm told the blanks are the same as other high dollar manufacturers use without the bells and whistles. I have a 4 wt with a 5 wt wff line and it casts like no other I've ever owned. I'm a novice with a lot of years experience so I can only tell what works for me. Haven't caught a crappie on a fly yet but I'm workin on it. Keep us posted.