Getting Started

[xjranger]

New guy looking to get started in Fly Fishing. I am planning at being at the meeting on Thursday evening and just got notice my rod and reel should be here that afternoon. Looking for advice on what sort of backing, line and tippet is suggested for a beginner. Looking for 8 wt as the rod and reel are 8/9 and 7/8. I plan to start practicing in a small holding pond in my neighborhood until I feel I have got the hang of it. Looking forward to some flats fishing after that or anything else I can get into.

[JT]

Nice to be able to practice at the pond. Much different than casting on grass.

[Shorewalker]

I plan on making the FBBF meeting tomorrow. If you join, you will can then attend the cast clinics with the club that will help improve your cast significantly over solo sessions.

As for the rest, a "typical" 8 wt setup is 30 lb Dacron backing, weight forward floating (WFF) 8 wt line, and an 8 to ten foot tapered leader and tippet (size depends on fly type and weight). For small dry flies go with tapered nylon in 4x - 7x and same tippet. For sinking flies, flouro sinks to get the fly deeper if desired.

Later you may want look to specialty line like sinking lines but WFF is everyone's first line.

That said, there are about 5 billion 8 wt WFF. More expense cast farther etc. once you learn how to cast. You may want to buy a mid priced one to start and then move up as you get addicted. Expect to spend around $50 for a 90 to 100' 8 wt. Also be aware not all 8 wt line are the same weight (counter intuitive I know). Finally consider a line which is a little more visible to start. Seeing the line on your backcast will help you identify problems with your cast earlier.

I setup my saltwater reels with 50 and 65 Power Pro backing instead of Dacron. If you use Power Pro stick with 50 lb or higher the lighter stuff is so small it cuts through your fingers if you ever have to handle it.

Also the method of joining of the backing to the fly line and then fly line to the leader is a matter of choice. I prefer loop to loop connections. other prefer nail knots or similar. In the end this will be your choice.

As is something as simple as which to reel the line with ... but that is a different discussion.

I defer to Lefty Kreh on many matters and here are some random Google links that at a glance seem to have some of the right stuff.
http://www.scientificanglers.com/plan-y ... lefty-kreh
http://globalflyfisher.com/fishbetter/first_setup/

[bk]

greg sure knows his $hit.
well put.

[jsuber]

What size flys y'all catching


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[xjranger]

Shorewalker,

Those links explained a lot. I have a month off from school and kids in August so I will be doing lots of practicing and making a few runs to the coast to try my luck in some the easy to get to flats. Thanks for the suggestions and links.

[xjranger]

Some folks at the fly club meeting suggested going to Cape Harbor and talking to Shawn (sp) and let him tell me what my rod needs. Shawn set up my reel with the line he thought would be best. I went with a little more expensive line but a lot of old timers told me that was the best thing to do if I real wanted to get into fly fishing. Shawn also gave me a leader to use to as a template for making more leaders from as well as passing me a few of his flies.

I took it out to the yard as soon as I got home and was able to cast going off of his directions and tips. I was making a few big loops but kept most of them tight and was staying pretty accurate out to 20'. At 30' I was getting a little wild. I think I need some time at the pond with a frog fly.

Cape Harbor is losing their best resource! I wish Shawn the best in his new job!

[bk]

Bummer bout Shawn. He was always cool to hang with. As for your loops. Practice for a good 20-30 minutes a day out in the yard. Watch fly casting instruction videos on YouTube.

[LCallaghan]

Just put up a nice beginner/intermediate rod for targeting most any inshore species on the for sale section.