Freddo

Great idea Dave, I like it! I'll tie one in "red" so it's easy to see out there.

Well - I thank you guys for the ideas. I like them all. I'll get a fly tied for practicing with but I WILL remove the hook portion for this newbie out casting for the first time in 40 years. And I'll wear a hat too (a nearly hairless critter that I am, my head doesn't offer any natural protection; not that hair is better than a hat anyway).

I hear ya Mikechell and I've leaned into your camp here - thanks for this confirmation. It's not even a matter of line cost. I want to learn and sooner than later. For the end of the line, what would I tie on, a piece of yarn or a hook w/o the hook point and bend? Also, would I want to have my leader on the fly line for this practicing? ... Thanks !

I've heard that more than once so we'll see how that goes and hopefully soon enough!

Thanks Thursthouse. I'm in Sussex County (bear country). Thanks for thinking to offer me rods to try - so nice. I "feel" that the 5WT will serve me OK since I may go for some bass too. However, if I fall head over heels for trout fishing I can see myself quickly grabbing up a smaller setup because I've always likes UL gear. This 9' rod it twice the length I'm used to toting around and it'll be quite an experience getting used to it (but I will). If you ever travel up to Sussex county to fish, PM me and maybe we can meet. I've been up here since '88, only fished for trout with eggs and UL gear and in only a few places nearby (all stocked waters). I'd typically fish from fall through the winter. But - having said all that, and even with a passion for fishing, I haven't done a lot of it as our boys were growing up. My younger son calls his older brother "the indoor cat"; he never took to fishing. The younger one though,,,wow! So he got me to take him ice fishing and it all started up for me again. There were a lot of years I just didn't fish but that's all changing!

Hey Portlyjoe... It's funny (or ironic) you should say that because it was just "LAST NIGHT", while thinking over my fly fishing endeavor that started just after the last Christmas break, that I thought to myself this seems like a rich man's sport (too funny you mentioned that!). I'm not a rich man and I'm sure there are more guys fly fishing that make the bills but still do this, I find it to be quite a lot more expensive than the fishing I grew up doing (spincast fishing for trout mostly). However, we shouldn't spend outside of our means. I know that once I'm setup here, I'll enjoy the time out there on the rivers and lakes. I was always able to spend a day on a river, even alone, and enjoyed nothing more than the peace (oh and the fishing part was fun too - hee hee)! I'm happy I spent what I did so far but will slow down now to specifics and not stock up on fly tying materials that I "might" use one day. I'll buy as needed and go from there.

@ Dave G. -- You're a champion father Dave G.! Enough said! Your story touched me to a tear in my eye (I'll admit I wear my heart on my sleeve). I'm happy that your son made out well at the end of the day. To All -- So is buyer's remorse something that occurs "after" trying a product and not liking it, having it fail, etc., or, just thinking you jumped to quickly and bought something different than what was "deep down in your heart" what you really wanted to buy in the first place?!?!? It happened!!! I went out this afternoon and bought the Orvis Clearwater combo from my local fly shop. Yes I paid more but I'm happy I did it. This setup is the same: 9' 5WT and I'm still quite excited but way more "settled" about the purchase even at the higher cost. I've heard all good things about the Orvis line. Last night and extremely late, I was reading every review I could find on the combo I initially bought at Cabela's and found just enough (for "me" that is) to warrant second thoughts. I read "nearly all" of the 100+ reviews. Most love the setup, quite a large number do, but I just feel I pulled the trigger to quick seeing the great sale price (someone posted they're always on sale). That setup will be returned; can't afford to keep both (no backups yet). So the first rod/reel is the Orvis setup. If I continue fly fishing until I'm 78 (I surely plan to), it'll still be under warranty too. The young man at the fly shop today walked me through how he sets up his leader/tippet and it'll be easy to pick up speed on that topic since the talk we had. Now I need get out on the water and learn to cast the thing. BOO HOO - There's still ice all over the lake where I'll set out to get started with practicing. I'm also seriously considering an Orvis 101 class on 04/25. Anyone done this?

Hey Artimus001... (or anyone)... Will casting to the grass mess up the line (abrasion or anything)? Also, should "something" be tied to the line for casting, like a fly without the bend and point (I could cut it off) so I'm safe from being hooked while trying it out? We have no open water yet on the lake where I'd have enough room to try this out.

Pulled the trigger today on rod/reel combo. I picked up a Cabela's RLS+ combo. It costs $319 retail but was on sale for $150 so I didn't pass up the deal. It's light, balanced, moderate-fast action felt great in hand, it's graphite with a machined aluminum reel, and a case. The reel came spooled with backing, line, leader. The rod has a 10 year warranty. This should serve me well as a newbie and I didn't spend teh #320 I though I was going too (that leaves money for extra leaders/tippets (I need to learn what I'll need to carry in that department now). Thanks for all the input to all that shared and commented.

Thanks Guys! Cabels'a had their fly boxes on sale for half price today so I picked up two: one for me and one for my son. These will easily get us going. I really liked the pricey Umpqua Day Tripper and that's on my wish list...just really nice through and through. Now to get tying more because we just stocked my son's fly box with my fly collection of those I tied as I'm learning. They'll catch fish I'm sure... For the rod, I bought a Cabela's RLS+ combo. $319 retail was on sale for $150 so I didn't pass up the deal. Graphite with a machined aluminum reel. Moderate-fast action. Should serve me well.

Great idea to bring flies FlaFly but I don't have many yet. Nothing larger than a size 6 woolly bugger. No poppers yet and only a few foam patterns I played around tying. Shotgun Dave? That would be cool to meet up. My 14 year old is all excited about the trip (but maybe not as much as I am). The rod choice is still up in the air. At $160, there's the Orvis Encounter combo; nearly double that for to $310 or so for the Orvis Clearwater combo (has high reviews across the board with "one" out of 45 complaining about the line); at about $190 is the Redington Path combo. My local fly shop guy recommends the Orvis for the money/quality. I dunno yet. I'll talk to the people at Cabela's for a better feel. If I buy an Orvis, I'll surely get it locally to support my local shop and they're in stock too. If I knew what all of you know already, and had your experience, this choice would probably be an easier one. If $310 for the Orvis Clearwater combo is totally worth it, I'd hate spending half that and being disappointed - but - how would I "know" without the experience of being a proficient fly caster and then handling these rods. Oh well - we all start somewhere. I suppose the bottom line is getting a fly to the fish 'eh? And if I "did" go for "less" $$$, maybe another size/wt is on the horizon sooner than later but that might be rushing things. I'm sure I can do a **LOT** of great fishing with a 9' 5WT so maybe as I'm typing this I feel I should go for a "better" quality combo in that size with high reviews from the start. Learn this sport well and then move on. If I keep typing I may decide before I click "Post"! Any Orvis rod owners out there?

I "think" Feathers Emporium or somewhere mentioned steam for getting feathers to get back to normal . I wouldn't have thought to pop a fly into the steam -- *way coo idea*!! And thanks for the disclaimer Joe about not using fingers to hold the fly. I'm surprised my wife's tea kettle doesn't have "CAUTION: STEAM MAY BURN YOU" emblazoned all over it like the coffee container lids do. Maybe I'll start with something in a fly box with the slits since I don't have any dry flies "YET"! Tomorrow I'll throw caution to the wind at Cabela's and spend my kid's inheritance...wouldn't that be a hoot!?? Thanks again to all for pitching in with your invaluable experience, ideas, and wit! Next thread is fly proportions ('cause there's trouble in the Freddo Tying Camp)... You guys are the best!

HI - I was looking at the Tacky online...they look good. @Flytire - What brand are your boxes with the foam inserts? I see there are recesses where the fly body lives. Is that to avoid the materials from getting crushed during storage? FlaFly mentioned flies "remembering" and someone mentioned the flies having to be coaxed back into shape before use. I'd like to avoid that as much as possible I suppose.. Thanks to all for sharing your thoughts and images! I'm getting the "idea".

Nice idea Silver! Thanks. Where are the containers/boxes from just in case I make these one day? These can be great for extras or the main use flies. I can see myself cobbling some together since I enjoy DIY too.

Thanks! So with the slits... you pull the bend of the hook into the slit, pushing or pulling the fly backwards? I'm concerned about the barbed flies tearing up the foam like in the pokey boxes.

Hey Dave... Convert a panel truck (or the like) into a mobile fly tying station and sales truck. Yeah - like the old ice cream trucks! Cruise along the rivers and around lakes and tie custom flies for guys that can't while they're out there. There now...no more plastic bags and an income to boot! BTW - I did start a new thread questioning the varieties of fly storage boxes just before reading this last post of yours. I'm sure to learn a few things!

Hi All, This forum is "the place" to ask questions and get many answers. It's great. So I'm starting this new thread to ask the following now that I need to buy a fly box (or many of them)... As a kid when I tried fly fishing and never took it farther than tying a bunch, I had one small fly box with little metal clips inside of it that held the flies. To this very day I'm surprised I'd never sunk a hook deep into a finger of mine while getting a fly out of that box. I never liked it one bit and just tossed out about a month ago; those old flies are now in an Altiods tin (they're relics I'm keeping - just because). Now - fast forward 40 years and there's SO MANY ways to carry flies. So what's the scoop? I see boxes that have simple "drop 'em in" compartments, some where the flies are poked into corrugated foam, others having foam with slits, as well as those with combinations of the configurations I just mentioned. Aside from these choices, there's waterproof (OK, I get it but how does a wet fly dry in a waterproof case without breathability?). So many brands and all sorts of costs... So please... Are any takers to share what they've used and do still use? Pros vs. cons? What are your favorites and "why"? I've buckled up and ready to hear from you all - thanks in advance!

I'm convinced that when the rubber meets the road (but in reality, when the fly meets the water), I'll learn what works and doesn't. Your last post makes me now think I need to learn how to study the natural insect life on the rivers and lakes near me even though generic patters will work. It's a;; part of the bigger picture. Now - since thread started as a fly rod length question. I'll start a new topic for asking about fly boxes.

Ha Dave.... You are so kind to share so much (other than the apparent enthusiasm)! I appreciate all of your input and will glean from your text and make a list of patterns and sizes to try. I'll pick up a fly box over the weekend and start tying a collection. I haven't read up much on if hook size matters (or at least incremental variations (i.e., 10, 12, 14, 16, etc. vs. 10, 14, 18, etc.). Are "fish" really that picky? I know a smaller bluegill cannot take a larger fly but that's common sense. However a 2 lb. trout...will it think to itself, hey that's to big, or that's way too small, or just: "Hey I'm hungry and I'm eating that fly/nymph/wet/dry/whatever size?"

Thanks Dave - I'll go with your recommendations as I've practicing only wet flies at the moment. I've got a little tied of everything (because I'm trying all types of flies but no dry ones yet). I need to get some more nymph hooks in different sizes too. I've tied some wooly type buggers in red with ball chain eyes, red chenille body, and red webby feather fibers from the soft hackle I tied up front. The look nice and inagine the bluegills will love them but until I'm pulling them around the fish I won't know. So in the lake for these bluegill types, how do you retrieve them, a 6" strip / pause / strip / pause? So much to learn and I appreciate the input!

Hey Dave - Please don't get me wrong...I'd be more than happy to catch anything all day long. We all like the "bigger" fish but I find catching 10"-12" trout a great day. WE live in a lake community that's full of bluegill and pumpkin seed and I've been tying all kinds of flies to go for them. I'm going to start tying some flies with trout only in mind knowing full well there are crossover patterns. I've gleaned the Internet adn catalog pages for those "top 10" trout flies of all time (and we know that's always something begging its own thread here). The snow is still here and I haven;t been past the lake to check the thaw but soon... I just need to learn to cast the rod I hope to buy this weekend.

Hey Adam -- I watched a guy on YouTube catching enormous GT's (never seen them before) on 12WT and 100 lb. leader in clear ocean water. THAT looked like fun. Finessing the small fish with a 6'-6" light weight may be fun too one day so I suppose it's game on (and hopefully "fish on"). Let's see how things go after starting which will be soon enough!

Thanks for the links to vids and other information. I'm settled now. It'll be a 9' 5WT (whew). Next up is settling the score with the make/model. My younger son and I are headed to Cabela's in Hamburg PA on Sat., 03/21 so I may pick one up on that trip.

Freddo I gave you that answer already, it's a calling. It really is, fly fishing ( the entire experience, tying and all, everything combined) is like you are evolving into it after years of spin fishing. It is so much more fulfilling. Spin fishing is fun, fly fishing has awards programs behind it almost. You are just starting but you wait, you will understand soon enough. The call of the stream, the wildlife, the equipment used. THAT all has a sense of peace about it but exhilarating peace. To tie the most perfect looking Mayfly, cast it out there to have a big brown stick it's head out of the water, look over the fly and turn away is thrilling enough. Or the size 16 caddis you tied hits the water, it's taken with the tiniest of splashes and you set the hook on a 23 " Land Locked Salmon that goes crashing and tumbling down river upon that hook set , shaking your rod screeching your reel. The surprises in pond fishing when everything in the pond is up on a Hex hatch. You land your Hex nymph in the pool of rising fish. Your leader twitches and you set the hook or you thought you did. Just to have of all things a large mouth bass, huge in size come right out of the water and just blow your nymph back at you, enough to say take that fool ! But even the tons of tiny fish racked up is rewarding. You will see, you will know what I'm talking about soon enough. Learning life cycles of various species of flies and the fish who like them. To be on the water, blessed to go home . You fished over this fish you knew was in that pocket. You fished over it. You saw it rise on a natural but not your fly. And what appears over the tree line, soars around behind you, turns up river below you, landing gear drops and sucks that fish right out of the hole you fished and takes off over the trees in the direction he came from but an Eagle. Like magic he appeared and was gone again.. You can't buy these experiences, you live them. And somehow the whole allure of the fly and rod is dead center in it all. And Freddo, in any of those moments as it occurs it will matter very little if you bought an 8'6" rod or 9 ft rod , LOL!! But without a rod you probably wouldn't have been there. In the end your fishing experiences will dictate future gear you buy. And those experiences will gang up rather quickly as the seasons change. Dave - I'm sorry to not remember your first post regarding this question but this quoted reply is perfect and I can tell you don't fly fishing halfheartedly (no part of it at all). There is some wild "draw" that I've been feeling deep down inside me, not in my head, but way deep inside! It's something real, something tangible, and very exciting. I always have enjoyed the gear part of anything I get involved in (I'm a bit of a gear freak; but not a gadget freak). The gear acquisitions may play a part in all of this I'm sure, but like you said so well, it's all things combined. On a trip down the Delaware River late last summer, me, my wife and our boys enjoyed seeing bald eagles and just being out there. I so appreciate your last comment about how little 6" in rod length will matter in all of this. I believe that and thank you for helping me see more of the picture! Now it's time to buy my "first" rod/reel combo and get down some fly fishing.

Hey - maybe I'm being paid by "all" the fly rod manufacturers to get you all juiced up and your wallets out...nah! Sorry to get you all in the "mood" to shop. It seems the consensus is fly rod purchasing is a great thing! I never got over excited about a new spinning rod purchase. What's the lore in "fly fishing" that's already got me "hooked" and I've only collected tools and materials for tying some flies? It (the lore) seems to really have some drive as I hear you all wanting to shop for new rods too? Again - thanks - you *ALL* have been so helpful!