Getting started in fly fishing.

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bugeater
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Re: Getting started in fly fishing.

Post by bugeater » Tue Jun 11, 2013 12:15 am

If you mean backing, no the stuff it came with should be fine. Hopefully it is tied on though. It's really there for security and count yourself lucky of you ever see it (you'd need a big fish). Also, the reel is probably okay too. I use my cheap reels for some of my lines. It's really just there for storing the line anyway. Probably the only reason you would want to upgrade if if the balance of the rod is way out with the cheap reel (probably too heavy) or you are catching huge fish which means you have to start using the drag. Once you start collecting different weight rods and different lines, that's when you'll start collecting reels.

One thing about choosing the fly line - the weight of the rod and weight of the line don't necessarily match well. I let some guys at the fly fishing club try the first rod I bought and they put a higher weight line on it, which made it cast a lot better. But you'll need to find someone quite experienced to try your gear to see what works best. Something like a Scientific Anglers Trout Stalker or Rio Gold line should do okay. But everyone had different preferences and the different lines all have different tasks. For example, I have a Cortland Clear Creek line which is great for short casts. I like it much better than the Rio Gold for that task.

Snagging stuff is something you have to learn to manage. It's really worth learning how to roll cast, since that means no back cast, so you can use it in more cramped conditions. I probably roll cast almost as much as I do a pick up and lay down. In fact I'll often roll cast to get the line off the water before going into a full cast if lake fishing. It's great if you've got heaps of backcast space (and this is a good reason to wade out a bit), but it's more the exception than the norm.

If you are going to try doing different styles of fishing on the same day, it's probably best to get the fly rod ready so if the fish start to rise, you can switch quickly to the fly. Personally I had to leave the lures at home since I kept going back to them when I wasn't having any success. But once I had one successful day on the fly I was hooked. Seriously couldn't concentrate the whole week because I wanted to get out and have another go.

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sasquatch972
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Re: Getting started in fly fishing.

Post by sasquatch972 » Tue Jun 11, 2013 9:38 am

yeah the dacron backing is all tied on, had a look at it when i first got the combo, im thinking ill probably just buy some better fly line for it.. can find plenty of scientific anglers stuff on ebay for sale... or i might go to hook up bait and tackle and speak to the guy in there, hes a fly specialist too, might be able to sell me some ok line
my rod is set up ready to go, just have to put it together.
Last edited by sasquatch972 on Tue Jun 11, 2013 10:23 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Rod Bender
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Re: Getting started in fly fishing.

Post by Rod Bender » Tue Jun 11, 2013 9:44 am

I have been glancing through all the comments here as they have been posted. I am going to have to spend some more time reading each one properly. Some great advice which I do appreciate!
thanks
Jim
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sasquatch972
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Re: Getting started in fly fishing.

Post by sasquatch972 » Tue Jun 11, 2013 10:27 am

Rod Bender wrote:I have been glancing through all the comments here as they have been posted. I am going to have to spend some more time reading each one properly. Some great advice which I do appreciate!
thanks
Jim
+1
All the advice here is teaching me alot! Fly fishing is definately a great way to fish for trout, infact id say its the best way..
It looks very hard and its harder than it looks ,but i believe it will be well worth the effort.

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sasquatch972
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Re: Getting started in fly fishing.

Post by sasquatch972 » Tue Jun 11, 2013 3:46 pm

well went down to Hook up bait and tackle in Ferntree gully, have to say that shop is probably one of the best, every time i go in there the staff are willing to give me alot of advice..even if it is a little on the pricey side im happy to pay that for quality service and a good range of fly fishing stuff.
ended up buying some new line , Rio WF6F in camo/beige to re line my rod, a few assorted leaders, 10 flys.. wooly buggas, wooly buggas V.2 , some indicators a case and fly life magazine
hopefully this can help me abit.

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mazman
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Re: Getting started in fly fishing.

Post by mazman » Tue Jun 11, 2013 6:37 pm

fly life is a good magazine although sometimes the information isn't relevant (has salt and fresh water articles), you've unfortunately picked up fly fishing leading into closed season for rivers, rivers require shorter casts than most lakes. good luck and remember to persist I've been fly fishing for 7 months and have caught 1 fish and hooked and lost multiple and missed even more takes on my fly.
Youtube channel:Hawkesy Fishing

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sasquatch972
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Re: Getting started in fly fishing.

Post by sasquatch972 » Tue Jun 11, 2013 6:44 pm

mazman wrote:fly life is a good magazine although sometimes the information isn't relevant (has salt and fresh water articles), you've unfortunately picked up fly fishing leading into closed season for rivers, rivers require shorter casts than most lakes. good luck and remember to persist I've been fly fishing for 7 months and have caught 1 fish and hooked and lost multiple and missed even more takes on my fly.
yeah im only interested in freshwater fly fishing for trout really... more of a bait fisherman with the salt, but the mag is pretty thick and full of info.
i thought the time away from the rivers and streams due to the off season would be a good chance to have a go at some of the locally stocked lakes over the next few weeks.
thats pretty good you caught a fish, what kind of fish did you catch? i presume a trout?

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mazman
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Re: Getting started in fly fishing.

Post by mazman » Tue Jun 11, 2013 6:51 pm

brown trout, i caught it within a month of taking up fly fishing and haven't got one since but I've been close. i went to a creek on Saturday night and hooked one on a nymph but it managed to throw the hook by swimming straight back down stream at me. lost tension and the fish.
Youtube channel:Hawkesy Fishing

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sasquatch972
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Re: Getting started in fly fishing.

Post by sasquatch972 » Tue Jun 11, 2013 7:07 pm

ah yeah, i tried lure fishing a month or so ago in olinda creek but got snagged and lost a good (expensive) rapala, was going to try monbulk creek but its alot smaller and snaggy, had no luck... fly fishing looks to be much much better for streams like this with brown trout, even if i dont cast it and just basically roll it 5 or so meters upstream.

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Re: Getting started in fly fishing.

Post by Jake420 » Fri Jun 14, 2013 11:01 pm

Milton & Glenn at hook up are great people people to deal with once they get to know you n you give them some info on what you know and they will give you some handy info and locations on were to fish. I've learnt so much of those 2 guys. Im still a fly virgin been trying for over 6 months can't wait for school holiday stockings make it easier :) haha
The Dirty Oar

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