Fly Fishing

[clayton86]

I just picked up a redington fly rod combo with a bunch of leader/tippets and flys it's. 8wt rod so it should be good for trout and bass I'd think. I'm new to it and never have fly fished with a fly rod closest iv came is an UL and 2lb test. From what I have read it seams trick but easy any pointers to help the learning curve. I'm gonna be targeting browns, bows and steelies for right now in this weather and season bass and others will come later.

[Hooligan]

It might be a bit overkill for typical trout fisheries, yet for the Great Lakes tribs, it isn't too bad. I typically fish a 6 weight up there for winter runs. It's a good bass setup. As you're starting out, don't try to throw too large a fly. Get comfortable with your casting stroke and learn what you can and can't do.

[clayton86]

It might be a bit overkill for typical trout fisheries, yet for the Great Lakes tribs, it isn't too bad. I typically fish a 6 weight up there for winter runs. It's a good bass setup. As you're starting out, don't try to throw too large a fly. Get comfortable with your casting stroke and learn what you can and can't do.

I live a stones throw from lake Ontario with 2 great rivers loaded with big browns and steelhead and some salmon are being reported at the dam. I called the fishing hotline and they said the brown trout fishings the best it's been in 15 years.

[Gavin]

That 8wt should be fine for lake run browns,steelhead and bass...but its a bit heavy for trout...Get a 5wt if your gonna be doing allot of trout fishing in the future..If you have fly shop nearby...stop in and have them set you with a small assortment of flies and a quick casting lesson. While your there, I'd inquire about any local fly fishing clubs..Allot of clubs offer beginner classes during the winter time. Good Luck!

[J Francho]

8 wt is perfect for your tribs. Hooligan, here's a brown caught in my back yard last week:

[clayton86]

That 8wt should be fine for lake run browns,steelhead and bass...but its a bit heavy for trout...Get a 5wt if your gonna be doing allot of trout fishing in the future..If you have fly shop nearby...stop in and have them set you with a small assortment of flies and a quick casting lesson. While your there, I'd inquire about any local fly fishing clubs..Allot of clubs offer beginner classes during the winter time. Good Luck!

There's a fly shop down the road I have a bunch of flies I got with the set up I traded my old arse snowboard for the combo about 50flies 6 packs of leaders from 6# to 12# in flouro and mono. Plus the set up is brand new never used

I'd look into lessons but I have a good friend and that all he does is fly fish for everything freshwater so I'm gonna have him show me the ropes hopefully if he gets some time off work. I'm probably honestly gonna use it mostly for bass and carp though not a big trout guy but I wanna try this week or next.

[Ratherbfishing]

An 8 weight rod will be okay for fishing streamers and wet flies and for making long casts but isn't too great for delicately landing dry flies on the water's film. If you're not going for that, you're probably fine. For bass and bluegill (which don't typically require a delicate presentation), it'll be fine, too.

[Bluebasser86]

If you've got the room I'd get out and practice casting with no leader, just the flyline. I practiced on a frozen pond so I had real targets I could cast to so I could get the hang of it. I don't do it much but I've managed to catch both bass and trout on my 6wt. I just bugged the experts at the flyshop at Cabela's any chance I got to pick their brains for info.

[J Francho]

I love watching guys try to land these things with 5 wt fairy wands lol.

[clayton86]

I love watching guys try to land these things with 5 wt fairy wands lol.

Yeah that's what I was thinking the trout up here arnt no little dainty 1 ta 2 pounders u see in little streams on tv. I don't think iv seen many under 5lbs and that's a dink. I do know the guy got the set up as a present a few years back had it set up and got everything for fishing the oak and johnsons by Orleans outdoors the local flyshop.

Fly patterns I have are some wooly buggers a few streamers then some little nymph looking flys bead and cone head style. Then I have some egg/roe patterns.

How do you detect a bite though with a fly it's slack usually isn't it and I'd imagine the strikes arnt no brute slam like bass and pike. I seen yarn indicators but I'd be clueless on set up or use of it.

[J Francho]

Look into strike indicators.

[clayton86]

Can u just line watch as well that stuffs bright

[J Francho]

Similar to watching a bobber. Talk to the guys at that fly shop - they'll set you up. Can't be but a few bucks for them.

[webertime]

For your neck of the woods and what you'd be going after an 8wt will work. For smaller trout, I'll quote my brother, "Dude, that's like using an Elephant Gun to kill a Canary."

My #1 casting tip is this: You DO NOT want the tip of the rod moving in and arc, you want the tip to remain on the same plane/level through out the cast. You will have much better accuracy and softer landings if you keep it all in plane.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

It's definetely worthwhile to have someone give you a lesson so you don't learn bad habits and then have to unlearn them. Here's a couple videos with some pointers. One is of me getting casting instruction and catching a few small ones.

http://gardenstateadventures.com/video_episode22.html

http://gardenstateadventures.com/video_episode1.html

Remember the camera adds 10 pounds (more like 20)lol.

[clayton86]

It's definetely worthwhile to have someone give you a lesson so you don't learn bad habits and then have to unlearn them. Here's a couple videos with some pointers. One is of me getting casting instruction and catching a few small ones.

http://gardenstateadventures.com/video_episode22.html

http://gardenstateadventures.com/video_episode1.html

Remember the camera adds 10 pounds (more like 20)lol.

Thanks mike that first one with you helped clarify some casting technique I'll have to try it tomorrow I'm getting out do the first time with the fly rod. I'm going alone how ever my buddy who was supposed to go with me is in Vermont till Sunday so no lessons just winging it.

My 4 month old jack did like the video though we laid on the floor watching it on my iPhone he's was mesmerized for the whole 30 min lol.

[VolFan]

With a flyrod, you're casting the weight of the line, not the lure. It's not about power, but more timing. When you're learning, peek over your shoulder and wait for the line to straighten out behind you before starting your forward movement; you'll pick up the timing and stroke faster. Keep everything as high as you can, but also level. Aim at the air a foot above where you want the fly for a softer landing. On a cast, when in doubt..duck...especially with big bead heads or streamers.

Wooly buggers are your BFF.

[J Francho]

Just learn how to roll cast. Most guys make it out to be way more about casting, less about fishing. I think I probably false cated about 10% of the time. the rest was roll casts.

[VolFan]

X2 on the roll casting, also learn how to use the current to your advantage to load the rod.

[Hooligan]

Yeah, JF, the brownies up there are just ridiculous. The reason I typically fish a 6wt is that it's a Winston XTR which is more akin to an actual 8wt. It's wicked fast, and wicked powerful. Like I said, an 8wt isn't really a typical trout rod, but for the tribs, it's about right on.

Second page didn't show for some reason; only after I posted did I see this:

Just learn how to roll cast. Most guys make it out to be way more about casting, less about fishing. I think I probably false cated about 10% of the time. the rest was roll casts.

You couldn't get a better piece of advice. Slinging an indie rig with lots of lead and/or GL Trib flies, roll casting is usually the best way to go.

'Nother edit, forgot to post it: Strike indicators for what you're going to be doing: http://westwaterproducts.com/thingamabobber.html SUPER indicator for big flies and fast water. Perfect for up there.

[J Francho]

I've seen a ton of guys using those thingamabobbers.

[clayton86]

Ok this may sound dumb but what presentation do you use like in bass fishing there's variant retrieves and jigging and what not. Now how do u present a fly just cast and then what let it drift? do I add split shots to get it down a little. I'm goin out tuesday for trout.

[0119]

I use a simple furled sinking leader to get my fly down a bit to the bass. Just add 2-3ft of 10 or 12# tippet. Most of the time I do 20# mono cause a baby tarpon or snook will grab it before the bass does. The furled leader makes it so much more simple. I fish mostly small EP flies and other synthetic material streamers. I work them in slow sometimes very slow short strips and let it suspend much of the time.

[Bass Junkie]

The thingamabobbers are great indicators and come in some pretty subtle colors. Just a warning.... You've picked up a flyrod, but don't ever go near fly tying.... It is a places from which you will never return. Check out the following flys for steelies and brownies:

Crystal Meth (I know, but its a good fly)

Glow Bugs (Easiest fly in the world to tie, and they are cheap to tie also, but like I said, DON'T get into tying...LOL)

Egg Sucking Leaches (The rabbit strip kind have sensational action)

Montana Nymphs (For winter steelhead as well as trout)

Any stonefly nymph imitations

Black Nosed Dace

Black Ghost (Note: The two patterns above are streamer flys, which represent baitfish. They are a beginning trout fly

fishermans best friend. Getchya some!)

Good luck out there!