Best beginner fly rod length, WT and action

[Gene L 0]

I had a Pflueger Medalist about 30 years ago and it was a dog. Maybe they're better now. Heavy and wimpy. I wouldn't recommend one but you can work past a bad rod, but I don't believe I'd start off on one. But at the time, with zero comparison, I managed to catch a fish or two. I think I paid $30 for it.

 

If I was fishing bass with a heavier popper or WBs, I'd get a 6 or a 7. But a rod also depends on the reel, line, etc. And the species you're going for. Back when, a 7wt rod was pretty much standard for a lot of fishing; trout and whatever. Now, that's considered heavy for trout, although I don't know why> The first "good" rod I bought was an Orvis Far & Fine, the Old School rod. It was a trout rod, but with effort I could cast a heavier wind-resistant fly, but it was work. The last "modern" rod I bought was at Academy Sports, a 9' 6wt which I purchased in November and cost $10 or so. Is it a "good" rod? Defininitely not, but it works.

 

I now have two Far and Fine rods, which are 7'9" and slow. I love them! Depending on how much you want to invest.

[fishinorhuntin 0]

I know what you mean! My wife and son went to the store today and he comes home and says we are going fishing, but he wanted to go to the fishing pier on the base here in Norfolk. I couldn't say no because any chance I get to go fishing or hunting with him is great for us. It is 3am and we just got home a little while ago. We weren't fly fishing but we had a lot of fun catching a bunch of croakers and spot. Of course, we had to fight off the blue crabs! We must have brought 10 or 15 of them in! Anytime on the water is great with your kids, regardless what type of fishing you do.

[rstaight 0]

In my neck of the woods a Templeforks 5 or 6 wt is usually recommended for a first rod. As far as length, I remember reading the perfect rod length is 1 1/2 times your height. Since fly fishing has typically been a male dominated sport and most adult males are in the neighborhood of 6' tall, is the reason you see so many 9' rods.

 

So for a typical 15 year old, an 8 1/2', moderate fast 5wt would be great. Pair that with an inexpensive (not cheap) disc drag reel and he will see years of service from it.

[ihang10 0]

I have never been to the Green Top or BPS north of Richmond. I will have to make a trip up there to see what they have. I heard there was a shop that carries fly fihing and tying items in Virginia Beach by the Lynnhaven inlet, but never got a chance to go out there. Thanks for the info

Interesting. I go out there for work a couple times a year and I have stopped into many tackle shops and haven't had one yet point to any fly fishing shops. I'll have to poke around lynnhaven a little more.

[islander727 0]

I am no beginner. I've been fly fishing for decades.

I have two Dogwood Canyon rods from Bass Pro Shops.

 

http://www.basspro.com/White-River-Fly-Shop-Dogwood-Canyon-Pre-assembled-Fly-Outfits/product/96504/?cmCat=CROSSSELL_THUMBNAIL

 

I recommend the 9' 5 weight. Plenty of action to make the casting easy ... stiff enough to bring in big bass, but light enough to have fun with 4" sunfish.

Complete set up with rod, reel and floating fly line. On sale now ... hard to beat.

 

x2. Test cast a family members and threw the entire line with it.

[fishinorhuntin 0]

ihang10,

 

I was looking on the internet for fly tying materials out here in Hampton Roads and it came up with a place by the Lynnhaven Inlet. Can't remember what it was called. I guess a woman that started tying flies several years ago for her husband decided to open up a shop. I can't seem to find it again online, but thought next time I am out that way I was going to check it out. I live in West Suffolk (10 miles from Holland) so I don't get out to Virginia Beach all that often. If I get a chance to get out there, I will let you know.

 

Rob

[epzamora 0]

If i were buying a new rod for my son, i'd look at the Temple Fork Outfitter and Redington outfit offerings ($150 includes line and reel?). The Bass Pro Dogwood series would be good too, I've read many good reviews about them for the price point. I imagine most rods in this price class are tailored to the beginner in action, but always cast a bit at the store, or at least wiggle. If it brings a smile, that's the one for now.

 

I'd suggest getting a four piece rod though. Easier to store in the trunk or back seat. 9' 5wt.

 

I don't think you'd need anything more for panfish, small bass and trout than this BPS reel: http://bit.ly/29cic1W

 

eric

fresno, ca.

[Brian Myers 0]

 

 

 

Dave,

I've got two Dogwood Canyons, two Buggers and one Cricket. I have never photographed the tips to see where they fit on the chart ... but I can honestly tell you, they are all fun to use all day long.

Light enough to cast all day, strong enough to bring everything I've caught so far to the boat.

That would be the pink cricket right Mike ?

 

No, Brian ... they said they were saving the last one of those for you. I got the green one.

 

I'd have to pass on the pink one Mike , it's just not bright enough.

[mikechell 0]

LOL ... You could get the pink one ... send it to Steve to re-wrap it with bright orange and purple threads. Put a few florescent green accent wraps on there ... maybe a bright yellow foam grip.

Finish it off with a gold reel and blue line?

 

Oh, and with his recent build, where he put the pike decals on for alignment marks. You could use ... Pout? Chub?

[fishinorhuntin 0]

I want to thank everyone for all of the suggestions, tips and advice. My son and I went fly rod shopping yesterday and purchased him the Plueger Medalist 9' 6WT 3 piece rod for 39.99 on sale, at Green Top. I figured that if he gets into fly fishing, we can look into buying an upgrade in a year or two, or maybe even get into rod building.

 

This is the first time I have ever been to Green Top and my son and I have found our new best toy box! The quantity and price of items blows away any other sporting goods store out here, IMHO. The bad thing is it is almost 2 hours away from us, but a good day trip (maybe every other day, LOL) I could easily drop a couple grand in that place, if I had it to spend! Since we hunt and fish we found our new rifles as well as new fishing rods, just have to convince the wife! LOL

 

They let us take the fly rod out of the package and make a few short casts. I really liked the feel of it and I am going to get him outside to try to cast it so we can maybe take it fishing this weekend.He was amazed at some of the prices of rods and reels for fly fishing. I told him there are other stores that sell them for even more, but you get what you pay for in most cases.

 

When he catches his first fish on this fly rod I will share it on here! Thanks again everyone!

[Poopdeck 0]

Good choice. That rod is a better rod then anything my dad used 40 years ago. No need to get all wrapped around the technical axle for a fishing rod for a teenager. By the way plueger makes great fresh water reels at a great price.

[Adam Saarinen 0]

MF is my favourite, just remember a one size bigger line can slow a fast rod down, food for Thought!

[fishinorhuntin 0]

I actually have had a Plueger Medallist fly rod in 9WT for years now. It has been a great rod and very easy to cast. It is my go to Striper rod.

[ihang10 0]

I want to thank everyone for all of the suggestions, tips and advice. My son and I went fly rod shopping yesterday and purchased him the Plueger Medalist 9' 6WT 3 piece rod for 39.99 on sale, at Green Top. I figured that if he gets into fly fishing, we can look into buying an upgrade in a year or two, or maybe even get into rod building.

 

This is the first time I have ever been to Green Top and my son and I have found our new best toy box! The quantity and price of items blows away any other sporting goods store out here, IMHO. The bad thing is it is almost 2 hours away from us, but a good day trip (maybe every other day, LOL) I could easily drop a couple grand in that place, if I had it to spend! Since we hunt and fish we found our new rifles as well as new fishing rods, just have to convince the wife! LOL

 

They let us take the fly rod out of the package and make a few short casts. I really liked the feel of it and I am going to get him outside to try to cast it so we can maybe take it fishing this weekend.He was amazed at some of the prices of rods and reels for fly fishing. I told him there are other stores that sell them for even more, but you get what you pay for in most cases.

 

When he catches his first fish on this fly rod I will share it on here! Thanks again everyone!

Congrats.

 

Green Top is 55 minutes from me, and if I'm bored I go there to window shop.

[Brian Myers 0]

Out of curiosity what is the difference between the reel in the Pfluegar Medalist deluxe fly fishing kit and the Medalist 1494 reel they sell separately?