Fly fishing

[J Francho]

Mine is a custom build on a modern graphite blank.  I'd say it's comparable to a light power, fast spinning rod.

[fishwizzard]

On ‎2‎/‎21‎/‎2016 at 9:53 PM, dave said:

 I attended an annual event in Annapolis, MD called TIEFEST.  

Thanks for posting this, I am right around there and this looks like a really cool event. 

I have not gotten into fly fishing yet, but just received a book about simple fly tying.  I am going to get into it this winter and look to pick up a rod in the spring.  My wife has expressed an interest in taking a fly fishing class or guided trip, so it could be a fun way to get her hooked on fishing. 

[J Francho]

There's a pretty cool one up here, in winter - guys, pies, and flies.  It's actually all genders, family friendly, pizza, and fly tying.  At the end there's a raffle.

[jr231]

Fly fishing is expensive lol. Just as expensive (for me) 

Probably much cheaper if you tie your own.. but time is money. 

[J Francho]

Check out my bud's site. Really good prices on the starter kits, and it isn't junk. 

[ottosmagic13]

19 hours ago, J Francho said:

There's a pretty cool one up here, in winter - guys, pies, and flies.  It's actually all genders, family friendly, pizza, and fly tying.  At the end there's a raffle.

When and where is this event? I'm only 35 minutes away from Rochester (Newark) and would love something like that. I just started tying my own flies this year. Saving up for a decent fly tying setup, right now i have some old locking pliers being held in a table vice. 

[J Francho]

It's during winter (February?), and usually up at the beach house in Charlotte.  I didn't go last year.

[ottosmagic13]

3 minutes ago, J Francho said:

It's during winter (February?), and usually up at the beach house in Charlotte.  I didn't go last year.

I'll have to keep an eye out. February is usually the about the time I go stir crazy, hopefully tying will help some of that.

I found that B & E tackle in Ontario has some stuff and there is a Bass Pro in Auburn; where do you usually get your materials? Synthetics I have no problem finding but things like masks and peacock. 

I recently learned to tie a beaded Hare's Ear Nymph that incorporates some peacock for a flashback design but can't find peacock, order online or use synthetic flash? I definitely need to get better at dubbing loops. 

[J Francho]

I just let other people tie for me, lol.  I don't actually use many flies.  I go to the event more for the social aspect.  Since I switched to centrepins for trout (the darside!), I pretty much gave up on the fly.  I sometimes use a fly on my drift rigs, though.  I also like to mess with the sunnies with the little 3 wt.

For places to find materials, Field & Stream in Henrietta has a nice selection of stuff, too.  There used to be that Orvis shop in Panorama, but I don't know if he's still in business.

[the reel ess]

On 10/4/2016 at 0:13 PM, Yeajray231 said:

I think they're hybrids.. which are supposedly 99%male. I'm not sure tho. I haven't managed to fool anything with the fly rod.  I don't know what I'm doing yet. 

Erie is quite a haul from me lol. And I have a young family and a real jacked up schedule... rarely I get to put my little Jon boat on the water, like once every couple weeks. Normally I just slide over to one of the many ponds I have access too for a couple hours. The one I'm talking about for the fly rod has huge gills and small bass.. (small for bass anyway) 

Ice fishing sounds fun. 

Does a fly reel "click" as you reel it in? 

99% male, huh? I'll bet the females are tired after the attempt to spawn.

[J Francho]

LOL, they're usually sterile, hence the size.  No time or energy wasted looking to reproduce.

[jr231]

I was told that the huge ones are "hybrid" and that they are 99% male. I honestly have no idea.  

That's not all the bluegill in this pond there are a few different kinds. 

[j bab]

On October 5, 2016 at 4:13 PM, Yeajray231 said:

Probably much cheaper if you tie your own..

I don't think that's the case unless you lose hundreds of flies per year and/or you sell flies on the side to offset costs.

[Paul Roberts]

On 10/5/2016 at 3:13 PM, Yeajray231 said:

Fly fishing is expensive lol. Just as expensive (for me) 

Probably much cheaper if you tie your own.. but time is money. 

Fly-tying does not have to be expensive. You can invent your own stuff with cheap and found materials. 

[Scott F]

I started fly fishing when I was 10 using a fiberglass fly rod with an automatic fly reel. I carried and used a fly rod, along with spinning gear, on all my smallie trips. I was never really properly instructed on techniques or gear. I was exclusively a topwater fly fisherman.  Many years later, after I joined a club devoted to Smallmouth fishing, I had the opportunity to fish with some expert fly fishermen. When I saw how much effort these guys put into chasing smallies with the long rod, I knew it was more than I was willing to do with the limited time I had to spend fishing. I also learned that the cheap rods I was using was limiting my ability to cast. 

Fly fishing doesn't have to be expensive but to become proficient at it, takes a sizable investment. One fly does not cost much to make, but you can't buy material to make just one fly. You can buy a cheap tying vise, but they don't work very well. You can buy a cheap rod, but they don't cast very well. Fly fishermen are not immune to the bait monkey. 

When you take up fly fishing, there is a lot more to it than just catching fish. You need to be able to appreciate and enjoy the "art" of casting.  

[CaptMikeStarrett]

Fly fishing is easy on the arms if done right. At the end of the day your arm, shoulder and neck will be less stressed. Try throwing a spinner bait or an A rig all day. However you will catch less and on those rare times you will catch more than other fisherman.

Try to go CODE an entire day and you will learn a lot. CODE is only fly gear all day.

I am the guy Dave talks about. It is an art that over time becomes a passion ..then it becomes second nature to lay a loop out 30 yards on the head of a fish.

Sadly most younger fisherman would not learn the art. It takes years to perfect that cast..then learn a new one and start over.

 

Capt Mike

 

 

 

 

 

[jr231]

1 hour ago, Paul Roberts said:

Fly-tying does not have to be expensive. You can invent your own stuff with cheap and found materials. 

Expensive to me and expensive to you are very likely two different things. I worded it wrong fly fishing was expensive (for me) to start.

Cool idea though. 

[Further North]

On 10/4/2016 at 0:12 PM, J Francho said:

A tippet is just an extension of your leader.  I use furled leaders, and attach the tippet to that.

Do you make your own, or buy them?

On 10/4/2016 at 3:16 PM, Turkey sandwich said:

(As I'm learning), fishing streamers often doesn't require a long 7-9' leader plus tippet.  4-5' seems like the happy place (again, at least for me) when casting streamers.  

Agree - and I often don't bother with a taper - just straight line.

[Further North]

On 10/4/2016 at 7:11 PM, Yeajray231 said:

So my tapered leader is not the most ideal option? 

There's nothing wrong with them...but tapered leaders are really meant for finesse presentations...like softly setting a wispy blue wing olive fly on a trout stream.

For bass (and for me, pike and musky) I want that fly to look like it fell off a cliff most of the time.  We're not dealing with a trout that's going to run from a poor presented fly, we're dealing with aggressive predators that will most often turn towards something that falls on the water.

I fly fish for bass, pike and musky a lot...I usually have at least two fly rods in my boat in case the opportunity arises...or if I think what I can do with a fly might entice a fish to bite...and sometimes it's what they want on a given day.

I use 6, 7 and 8 wt. rods for bass, 8, 9 and 10 wt. rods for pike and musky.  I'm not creating a handicap at all compared to spinning or casting gear...in fact there's a good chance I've got an advantage as I've got a lot more direct connection to the fish if I'm stripping it in...that line is in my hand...not attached to a reel.

On 10/5/2016 at 8:03 AM, J Francho said:

Tapered are fine.  My friend owns a fly fishing company, and his wife ties and makes leaders, so I get them from him.

Good place inexpensive supplies.

http://www.wildwaterflyfishing.com/furled-leaders/

The owner and I grew up together.  He actually lives down the street from where my parents still live.  Really good guy.  I introduced him to fishing back when we were in cub scouts.

Good site - I bookmarked it...

[Further North]

On 10/6/2016 at 2:08 PM, J Francho said:

LOL, they're usually sterile, hence the size.  No time or energy wasted looking to reproduce.

Man...I'd be HUGE...

[jr231]

Lol. Some of those bluegills would make you blush I promise. 

[Ratherbfishing]

While I do fly fish from time to time, it hasn't become the passion I thought it would be-perhaps because I have only so much time and can only carry so much equipment.  It's KIND of like crappie fishing.  While I like to crappie fish, every time I set out to go crappie fishing, I almost always end up bass fishing.  The only time I go out with JUST a fly rod is in the spring when the big bream are spawning-and then it's fun as "h e crooked letter, crooked letter."  My hope is that if/when I retire and can pick and choose my time more generously, I'll expand my repertoire considerably.

[DrMarlboro92]

On 10/9/2016 at 2:57 AM, j bab said:

I don't think that's the case unless you lose hundreds of flies per year and/or you sell flies on the side to offset costs.

It's definitely cheaper to build your own. The cost of 12 nymphs normally runs me about $4. Buying 12 nymphs can cost $6-24 depending on brand. I never understood paying $2 for a fly when I can tie my own for pennies.

[J Francho]

24 nymphs, and a box - $16. Double that amount for $30.

http://www.wildwaterflyfishing.com/nymph-assortment-24-flies-with-small-fly-box/

 

[j bab]

3 hours ago, DrMarlboro92 said:

It's definitely cheaper to build your own. The cost of 12 nymphs normally runs me about $4. Buying 12 nymphs can cost $6-24 depending on brand. I never understood paying $2 for a fly when I can tie my own for pennies.

How much time and money do you have invested in fly tying equipment? And real estate in your house. Tools, vices, materials, etc...

You didn't pay all that off by making 12 flies. My point stands. I realize it's worth it at a certain point, but it's not for a casual fly fisher.