Fly Fishing?

[Quarry Man]

Several years ago, when I was around twelve years old or so, a close family friend gave me two fly fishing rods and a bunch of flies. I never realized how nice they were until I began fishing more. I have a 5/6 wt 7'6" Browning Fly rod, and a 7' (labelled as 7' but I think 6'6" is more accurate) 4/5 weight Fenwick. Both rods are paired with a Pflueger Medalist reel. One of the reels does not have a working drag. I catch a bunch of small fish with the rods on lures that look like small flying insects. I also caught a spawning bass that way. I am looking into doing more fly fishing. I know my two rods are really nice, but they are older and the reels barely work. I am thinking of getting a new setup. Will be keeping the other rods too. I would likely use the Fenwick for small fish like Perch, Bluegill, Crappie, and Shad. I would like a fly rod that can handle creek trout and smallmouth, but also bass. maybe the Browning can be used for bass if I get two spools? What should I get? I am also looking for advice on what works best and general tips. Lastly, my fly tippett was beat up from practice casting, so I cut the whole thing off. I made a loop knot at the end of my fly line and tied a uni knot with a 4' leader of 8lb floro. It seems to be working well, but Im not sure that is the proper way to rig a fly. I will post pictures of my flies if i get around to it, but I have around 100.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

If you start targeting big largemouth and throwing big bass bugs you'll want to step up to an 8wt. You can buy a tapered leader and finish it with a tippet if needed. You can make your own by stepping down gradually with lengths of different tests. 

[burns]

I agree w/ DVT, buy a tapered leader with a tippet spool.  3X size is a good starting point for bass, but it depends on the fly size you are throwing.  You can do a loop-to-loop connection from the tapered leader to the fly line, and surgeon's knots when you replace depleted tippet material.  Easy.  

 

FOR BASS, you can "get away with" a 5/6 weight rod until you get a "real" bass rod.  I have caught a lot of bass on 5 weight or 6 weight, and even 4 weight lines (not really the best option).  I caught a huge carp on a 4-weight last year, so it CAN be done but...if you want to get serious and want to throw bigger bugs, you really want bigger rod with more backbone (would be nice to own an 8-weight), especially if there is wind.  

 

FOR TROUT, there is no greater fishing pleasure, in my humble opinion, than trout on beautiful small streams with dry flies and light lines.  You said "creek" trout, so I assume this is more or less what you are talking about.  For this, I love my 7'6" moderate action fiberglass 4-weight.  Your Browning will work for this. 

On larger rivers including western streams from a river boat, I use (most often) a 9', moderate-fast action 5-weight for a little more punch, distance, and backbone.  I also use this rod on spring creeks where I want a bit more distance for some reason, or am casting a double nymph rig, for example.  

 

I'm a believer in starting with a moderate action rod to learn to cast, moving up to a faster rod once you have developed your cast a bit, but I'm unaware of your casting skills.  Others may disagree.  

[Quarry Man]

4 hours ago, burns said:

I agree w/ DVT, buy a tapered leader with a tippet spool.  3X size is a good starting point for bass, but it depends on the fly size you are throwing.  You can do a loop-to-loop connection from the tapered leader to the fly line, and surgeon's knots when you replace depleted tippet material.  Easy.  

 

FOR BASS, you can "get away with" a 5/6 weight rod until you get a "real" bass rod.  I have caught a lot of bass on 5 weight or 6 weight, and even 4 weight lines (not really the best option).  I caught a huge carp on a 4-weight last year, so it CAN be done but...if you want to get serious and want to throw bigger bugs, you really want bigger rod with more backbone (would be nice to own an 8-weight), especially if there is wind.  

 

FOR TROUT, there is no greater fishing pleasure, in my humble opinion, than trout on beautiful small streams with dry flies and light lines.  You said "creek" trout, so I assume this is more or less what you are talking about.  For this, I love my 7'6" moderate action fiberglass 4-weight.  Your Browning will work for this. 

On larger rivers including western streams from a river boat, I use (most often) a 9', moderate-fast action 5-weight for a little more punch, distance, and backbone.  I also use this rod on spring creeks where I want a bit more distance for some reason, or am casting a double nymph rig, for example.  

 

I'm a believer in starting with a moderate action rod to learn to cast, moving up to a faster rod once you have developed your cast a bit, but I'm unaware of your casting skills.  Others may disagree.  

 

My casting skills are not great with the fly. My line is not setup correctly, and my reel is faulty, making it more difficult, but not impossible. I am able to make every other cast lay out flat and straight, with a max rang of like 25'

[burns]

Much like you, I learned how to cast, basically, from a fly-fisherman.  He was my good friend's grandpa who was a very, very good caster.  Learned in a yard in about 2 hours, then went to a stream and the fellow guided me and helped me get my first trout on a fly rod.  

 

When I got home from that trip, I got this video which you might be able to find at the library: 

https://www.amazon.com/Scientific-Anglers-Basic-Casting-Swisher/dp/B00FIF5R46/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492447932&sr=8-1&keywords=3m+casting+video

 

It was very, very helpful.  Learned to roll cast and other techniques by practicing and watching the video over and over.  One of the tricks shown in the video, "Scientific Anglers Basic Fly Casting with Doug Swisher", is to take a the smaller piece of a short two-piece rod, tie a piece of yarn to it, and work on your casting at home in front of the TV, watching your "trailing loop".  The yarn should be thick.  

 

I learned on a 6-weight, 8-foot rod and it was great for that.  

[Further North]

Like the others, I'd go to an 8 wt. for bass if I was only going to have one rod...you'd need it to throw bigger bass flies.

 

For leaders on my bass rigs, I seldom go with a tapered leader as I get along just fin with 4 - 6 feet od straight mono.  I've fished with both, and to me to there's a little benefit when going topwater and no benefit at all when going subsurface.

 

For fly casting...best way to get better is practice.  I've been at it for years, and you can still find me out in the yard most nights when the weather is decent tossing aline for a few minutes.

[Further North]

Something to add: Learn to let the rod do the work.  Far more important with fly casting than with gear.

 

Learning to throw flies has made me a better caster with gear...and a better fisherman overall.

[Turkey sandwich]

I'll also recommend a 7 or 8 weight rod to help with throwing larger streamers and especially poppers.  I have a 6 weight that's great for throwing woolly buggers and some smaller streamers, but I have an 8 WT Orvis Recon that makes throwing the bigger stuff much, much easier.  Also, prefab tapered leaders are cool for some bass flies, but most of my bass flies are thrown on either straight mono, hand tied short tapered 30# to 15# leaders, or a sinking leader with 8-15lb mono tippet.  Also, throwing big flies takes some practice. Practicing technique can save your shoulder.

[Further North]

55 minutes ago, Turkey sandwich said:

Also, throwing big flies takes some practice. Practicing technique can save your shoulder.

...and the back of your head...

 

I'd say, "Don't ask how I know this!" but I'd guess you already know...

[Turkey sandwich]

1 minute ago, Further North said:

...and the back of your head...

 

I'd say, "Don't ask how I know this!" but I'd guess you already know...

 

Nothing says good morning like a Skulpzilla whizzing past your head.  Similarly, nothing says goodnight like a Skulpzilla stuck in the back of your head, lol.  

[Further North]

27 minutes ago, Turkey sandwich said:

Nothing says good morning like a Skulpzilla whizzing past your head.  Similarly, nothing says goodnight like a Skulpzilla stuck in the back of your head, lol.

 

 

[Turkey sandwich]

EXACTLY!

[Further North]

Just now, Further North said:

 

 

...and that, for the uninitiated...is why you crimp the barbs on your flies.

 

It's not if, it's when you're gonna stick yourself...