What Is A Good Price To Pay For A Beginner Fly Combo

[Dillo]

I am thinking about buying a fly fishing setup to fish for trout. I'm looking at a 8 to 8"6 five weight combo. There is such a large selection that I don't know what price range to start in. I have read that a cheaper rod is bad, especially to learn on, but I don't have much money to spend(less than 100 is ideal). Any suggestions on either a price range to look in or a specific combo?

New!

I saved up more money and ended up buying an echo carbon with a cabelas prestige plus reel. I haven't been able to use it on a trout stream yet but have been practicing on a neighborhood pond and I'm starting to get the hang of it( it's a fairly moderate action, got to get used to letting the rod load) but I love it so far.

[Tony L.]

http://www.amazon.com/Wild-Water-Fly-Fishing-Complete/dp/B001IAHX6A/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1422060167&sr=8-4&keywords=fly+fishing

I know that people on Amazon aren't exactly experts, but this outfit has over 100 near perfect reviews. I kinda brushed it off until I also saw it featured in a fly fishing magazine that I recently subscribed to. It was highly regarded. I'm trying to branch into fly fishing myself. Haven't tried this one, and I certainly can't say that I am very familiar with fly fishing, but all indicators are that this combo is a great value.

I think that I remember also reading that Orvis is introducing a budget friendly combo too. It is even more economical than the "Access" combo, which had previously been their cheapest. Of course, Orvis is a name you can usually count on.

[flyfisher]

If you have a fly shop nearby go inside and chat with the people there.  They may have a combo available for near your price range.  I started on a cortland set up that i kept for about a month before i moved to a better model.  Reddington makes some good combos that will be close to your price range.  I always tell people to go with the majority of your money on the rod and fly line...the reel is nothing more than a fancy way to balance the rod and hold the line, especially for trout

[OntarioFishingGuy]

if you have 100 to spend, I would say spend 30 on the rod, 30 on the reel, and 40 on the line. A good quality line is always more imporatnt than a good quality reel or rod. Look at some of Cortlands products for some good quality, inexpensive line.

[flyfisher]

If you can bump up to around $200 the difference in cast ability and quality will jump up a lot.  You can get a nice Temple Fork combo set up from cabelas for the 200-215 range and that comes with a vey nice line and a rod with a lifetime warranty too i believe. 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Fly fisher is right. I'll reinforce the point of line though. Don't cheap out on fly line. The is what you're casting with a fly rod so it pays to have a good handling line that matches the rods true power not necessarily what's marked on it. Only an experienced caster or shop can guide you there.

[EricDkk]

Cabela's RLS combo

[Cole474]

I was able to get a great deal on a TFO rod and redington reel from shopping around online. I've got a $350 setup for $150 by waiting and watching. But I agree with fly fisher. Good rod and line are most important

[Cole474]

http://www.redington.com/fly-fishing-outfits/crosswater/ My friend bought this combo and it is serving him well. plus redington is owned by sage and has great customer service if you ever need it.

[SirSnookalot]

I was able to get a great deal on a TFO rod and redington reel from shopping around online. I've got a $350 setup for $150 by waiting and watching. But I agree with fly fisher. Good rod and line are most important

Some of my best buddys down here are hard core saltwater fishermen with decades of experience, you name it they owned it.  At one time they spent nothing less than 900-1000 on a rod (same for a reel), not any more.  So many of them are using TFO now.

[new2BC4bass]

$1147.89

 

 

Just kidding.    I wish you the best of luck.  Fly fishing is something I always wanted to try.  Even have a rod very capable of using for bass.  Also picked up a 3 wt. for panfish and trout.  One thing you will discover quickly is you can spend $100 on flies in nothing flat.  I always thought it would be great to do my own fly tying.  However, I tend to buy the best quality I can afford if at all possible.  Good vises aren't cheap.  Then there are all the required tools, hooks, feathers, etc., etc.  First thing you know you've got a $1000 tied up in the necessities.

 

You have to be careful that you don't turn into one of those guys who fishes so they can tie more flies.  It can be a very satisfying hobby of its own.

 

I don't mention all this to discourage you.  It is a lot of fun.  I don't need to be on the water to enjoy the act of casting.

[Cole474]

Bigyfly.com has flies for $0.50 and they are quality

[ClackerBuzz]

I'd head into ur local stores. do you have a cabela's, BPS, dick's?  being able to hold the rod in ur hands is priceless.  even with low end combo's, one will shine.  i bought a decent reel and line at a fly shop and picked up a $25 rod at Wally world.  the rod was like a broom stick but it didn't know any better and learned how to cast it.  i was blown away when i started casting rods that were even remotely better. ended up getting a orvis clearwater on sale and it's heaven.  

i was in walmart the other day looking for a crappie rod.  i picked up a shakespear micro series 7' 4wt fly rod. no joke it feels as nice as my orvis. only it was $15!  i bought it and am going to mount a reel Tennessee handle style, add a few spinning guides and use it as a crappie rod. do you have a local fly shop? it's nice to hold a high end rod in ur hands so you have something to compare too. and they might have winter/last year close out sales.

[everythingthatswims]

I strongly reccomend TFO Lefty Kreh signature series. If you go to BPS they will hook you up with a Hobbs Creek reel and line for pretty cheap w/ the TFO. Ends up being around $150 for the whole thing

[notevenanibble]

If you have a fly shop nearby go inside and chat with the people there.  They may have a combo available for near your price range.  I started on a cortland set up that i kept for about a month before i moved to a better model.  Reddington makes some good combos that will be close to your price range.  I always tell people to go with the majority of your money on the rod and fly line...the reel is nothing more than a fancy way to balance the rod and hold the line, especially for trout

 

I started with a redington Crosswater combo.  i am starting to wear the rod out, but i've caught plenty of fish with it and it was great for learning.

[Dillo]

I started with a redington Crosswater combo. i am starting to wear the rod out, but i've caught plenty of fish with it and it was great for learning.

The cross water is what I am looking at, it has some great reviews and seems like a good deal.

[notevenanibble]

The cross water is what I am looking at, it has some great reviews and seems like a good deal.

 

I actually broke mine after a year and half of using it.  I've caught trout, bream, bass, and even a few catfish on it.  bream and bass are tons of fun with this rod.  

 

where are you at in Colorado?

[stk]

I was looking at the fly kit from the first post, but I went with this one instead from Amazon.  We'll see how it performs this summer.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Pflueger-Fly-Kit-8-Feet-0-Inch/dp/B0036XE3K6

[FrankW]

Hi stk,

 

You may be lucky and the rod is castable to some extent but the line, and probably the leader, is bad.  Buy you a good Double taper or Weight Forward floating line.  My choice would be a Weight Forward line.  There are some Chinese lines that work OK but not as good as the best lines from Scientific Anglers or Rio.

 

Frank

[stk]

Frank,

Thanks for the tip.  I didn't want to spend too much as I am not sure if I will like fly fishing. 

[notevenanibble]

Frank,

Thanks for the tip.  I didn't want to spend too much as I am not sure if I will like fly fishing. 

Most of the good fly-lines are in the $70 range and some more.  You can find a few deals online though.  I'd guess paying almost as much for the line as your rod/reel combo would sound funny.  I agree with Frank at least get some new leader and tippet.  those are fairly inexpensive. 

[Dillo]

Here are some I am looking at:

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Echo-SoloCabelas-Prestigereg-Plus-Fly-Combo/1573225.uts?No=0&destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Ffly-fishing-rod-reel-combos%2F_%2FN-1102570%2FNo-0%2FNs-MIN_SALE_PRICE%3FWTz_stype%3DGNU%26recordsPerPage%3D18

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-TLrWindRiver-Fly-Combo/1421729.uts?No=0&destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Ffly-fishing-rod-reel-combos%2F_%2FN-1102570%2FNo-0%2FNs-MIN_SALE_PRICE%3FWTz_stype%3DGNU%26recordsPerPage%3D18

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Redington-Crosswater-Outfit-Fly-Combo/1166294.uts?No=0&destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Ffly-fishing-rod-reel-combos%2F_%2FN-1102570%2FNo-0%2FNs-MIN_SALE_PRICE%3FWTz_stype%3DGNU%26recordsPerPage%3D18

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Traditional-IIIPrestigereg-Plus-Fly-Combo-with-Fly-Line/1548033.uts?No=0&destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Ffly-fishing-rod-reel-combos%2F_%2FN-1102570%2FNo-0%2FNs-MIN_SALE_PRICE%3FWTz_stype%3DGNU%26recordsPerPage%3D18

Any thoughts?

[fisherrw]

An okuma off amazon is fine

[Captain America]

Scientific Angler makes a nice beginner kit. It has some decent line, and a solid rod/reel. I am primarily a fly fisherman, and I use both the panfish and bass kit for all kinds of fish. The line does fine, I would replace it if I wasn't so dang cheap! But it's nice. They have a trout, panfish, bass and saltwater kit. I have landed plenty of big fish with these rods. The drag on the reel handled 10-15 lb carp well, and river steelies too (5 wt). I would put some nice 6 wt line on it because it's easier to cast, and it is a 5/6wt.