Re: Getting started in fly fishing.
Posted: 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.
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.