aquaman
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fry
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Reged: 08/27/05
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Loc: Seattle, Washington
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So I've decided that its time to switch from bait fishing to fly fishing as it seems more enjoyable. The one big problem is that I have never caught a fish on a fly and I'm determined to change that this spring. So what I'm looking for is advice on gear, tactics, and places to go fishing. I'm going to start buying waders and lines, and flies soon. But really need some ideas on streams and flies to use. Any help from those that have been in my shoes would be greatly appreciated.
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Marty
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redneck yachter
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Reged: 07/17/00
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Loc: Olympic Peninsula
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where do you live and what species you want to catch? You like to fish drys?, wets? swung? nymph?
--------------------
Marty
Got Your Steelheader.net stickers?
Pay it forward
Steelhead dues paid one cast at a time repeated a 1000 times a day...one more cast looking for a fix
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aquaman
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fry
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Reged: 08/27/05
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Loc: Seattle, Washington
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I live in the Seattle area right now. Looking to fish wets, and nymphs but not at all opposed to drys. I'm hoping to catch some trout this spring on the fly and then attempt the salmon this fall. But we'll see how my plan works out.
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vangofishin
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silver
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Reged: 12/21/03
Posts: 113
Loc: Camas Wa.
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You can go to the local fly shops and ask around about favorite trout streams and also pick up some books, there is one book in particular that has a pretty good listing of fly fishing streams in your area , I think it is called Washington Guide to Fly Fishing . Also If you have time to travel now and then there are some streams outside of Seattle but within a couple of hours that are excellent for fly fishing, like the Yakima , you can fish it near the town of Cle Ellum by parking and walking on the John Wayne trail , also just outside Olympia is the Deschutes , this is a smallish stream and it runs into capital lake but has a good population of resident Cutthroat and also some sea run cutts , that is where I learned to fly fish , you can use hare's ears prince nymphs and this time of year the march brown's are starting to hatch and it is an excellent opportunity to use some dries . PM me if you would like some more info on either one .
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aquaman
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fry
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Reged: 08/27/05
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Loc: Seattle, Washington
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Thanks for the info. I'll have to look into the Yakima, I've heard of the Deschutes as well. Not sure if I'm going to go that far to start out. Maybe stay a bit closer to home to get my line wet first and then once I've got the hang of it then branch out.
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jakerau
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1:1 in 08 Foaming at the Gills!
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Loc: OREGON
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As far as gear goes, you mention wanting to fish for trout and then some salmon. I'd reccommend, and maybe others disagree, starting out with an inexpensive rod and reel combo. You can pick one up at Wal-mart for $65.00 all ready to fish. You can spend thousands on nice stuff, but as a beginner, you really wont appreciate the nice stuff until you learn what you really want in a combo, so stay cheap for your fist couple of seasons. Get a 9 - 10 ft. 6 wt rod - its an all-around fly rod thats not too big, but plenty big for big trout. For salmon some guys will tell you that you need a 10 wt rod. My buddy fishes an 8 wt for kings in Alaska - been doing it since he was 12. But for a beginner fly chucker, maybe the 10 wt will land more fish for you. Just my two cents.
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Mojo
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Instigator
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Reged: 09/10/03
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Loc: Bootsville, Idaho
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Jake, I have to disagree with you here. Don't buy cheap gear, because it will help you develop bad habits (to compensate for bad gear). Instead, I would suggest a moderately priced set up like a TFO or Echo rod in 5 or 6 weight. Buy a cheap reel, because it's just a line holder.
Once you start chasing Kings or Steelies with the fly rod, you will need an upgrade. Then the reel's drag system becomes important. TFO and Echo make some nice mid to lower priced rods for salmon and steelhead as well. Also, Cabelas makes some decent rods, but I would hesitate to buy one mail order. It's much better to actually cast one, or at least wiggle it to see how it acts.
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Tight Lines,
Mojo
TEAM MOOSE DROOL
TEAM SMOKIN' MERC
TEAM JACKSON BALDWIN
Alaksa Nitro Baits Pro Staff
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Foxtrotter
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1
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Reged: 08/08/06
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Loc: Roy, WA
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I agree with Jakerau. Start cheap. See if you can get a cheap Martin reel and get an extra spool. Use one spool/line to fish with and the other to practice casting on dry land like your yard or a park.
As for rods - go cheap too. If you can learn to cast one of those you'll have no trouble stepping up later on.
My first rod was an antique.. believe it or not metal telescopic rod. It really sucked. Caught a lot of fish on it. Then I "stepped up" to a <$30 Eagle Claw. Caught a lot of fish on that too. Even more than the dudes with the Winstons who were sharing the water with me on the Yellowstone.
Then I got top of the line stuff. A 9' 6 wt rod is probably the best "all around" rod for the beginner"
Most of all be patient and have fun with whatever you end up with
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Team Ugly Stick
How many of them are you ?
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vangofishin
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silver
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Reged: 12/21/03
Posts: 113
Loc: Camas Wa.
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If you are interested in getting a custom rod done I can tie one up for you that would fall in the middle of the road price category , but on a great blank . deciding on gear can be tough . My fist fly rod was a 8'6" 5 wt. St. Croix I fished it everywhere and caught a lot of fish on it , although I never did feel comfortable casting it or like it's action much . Now I am finally building myself a nice one cause my old one broke . I think middle value gear is probably the best for a beginer mostly because you will at least be able to get a warranty with it . March and april can be really good on the Yakima when march brown;s are hatching , check out the Worley Bubber Fly shop , they will have lot's of info here's a link http://www.worleybuggerflyco.com/
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aquaman
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fry
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Reged: 08/27/05
Posts: 5
Loc: Seattle, Washington
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Thanks to everyone who has given their advice on the subject of gear. There are definately two sides to this story but considering I'm in college and am doing this with what is basically the left over money I'm going to be going cheap for awhile. I've already got a Crystal River 8 piece 4/5 weight rod with the reel that it came with. Nothing fancy as it doesn't make a lot of sense to buy something expensive right off the get go. The 4/5 weight I know is on the lighter side but the challenge is fun and it will make for a better fight. Thanks again guys!
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aquaman
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fry
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Reged: 08/27/05
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Loc: Seattle, Washington
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Just got back from a little shopping spree at G.I. Joes and came back with a bunch of stuff to start tying nymphs. I've been scooping out good mayfly nymph patterns that would be easy for me to tie but can't find them that have instructions so I just bought a few. Gonna try Green Lake tomorrow morning if the weather won't let me work. So we'll see maybe I'll get my first fish on a fly rod!
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jakerau
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1:1 in 08 Foaming at the Gills!
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Reged: 06/04/06
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Loc: OREGON
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Olive green/black wooly buggers are NEVER a bad bet in a lake with trout or bass. Have fun! Good luck.
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Jake
www.flytymes.blogspot.com
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fredaevans
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Thick Tail
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Reged: 06/12/03
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Loc: Upper Rogue River- Oregon
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Quote:
jakerau said:
Olive green/black wooly buggers are NEVER a bad bet in a lake with trout or bass. Have fun! Good luck.
In that same vein (history lesson here only) the other fly I found that really worked (Green Lake as in North Seattle?) was the Carry Special. Long leader behind a clear slow sinking 'slime line.'
Vis a vis choice of 'gear,' don't confuse "cheap" with inexpensive. As an example I wanted an 'inexpensive' 3wt rod (don't do a lot of trout fishing) so I purchased one of Cabela's 'all in one' packages. Connect the bits (rod, reel, line, leader, backing), add fly and off you go. Whole thing, including shipping came to about $160.00.
One of the best light weight rods I've ever cast! 
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Fred A. Evans
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Mojo
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Instigator
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Reged: 09/10/03
Posts: 7485
Loc: Bootsville, Idaho
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Fred, that is exactly why I suggested TFO and Echo. Inexpensive high quality gear.
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Tight Lines,
Mojo
TEAM MOOSE DROOL
TEAM SMOKIN' MERC
TEAM JACKSON BALDWIN
Alaksa Nitro Baits Pro Staff
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fredaevans
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Thick Tail
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Reged: 06/12/03
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Loc: Upper Rogue River- Oregon
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Quote:
Mojo said:
Fred, that is exactly why I suggested TFO and Echo. Inexpensive high quality gear.
No arguement with you there!
Fred
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Fred A. Evans
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