Fly Fishing

[92xj]

Anyone have experience with bozeman fly works? Seem reasonable in price but know nothing about them or their quality. Do you have to have a stringy handlebar boy stash to own one of their setups?

 

[EastCoaster]

Anyone have experience with bozeman fly works? Seem reasonable in price but know nothing about them or their quality. Do you have to have a stringy handlebar boy stash to own one of their setups?

I saw them as well......hope someone has some input.

 

[zman]

9 ft 5 weight is really versatile. Problem with anything smaller is the minute you get hooked on panfish you are going to want to try for bass. I've caught everything from 3 inch brookies to stripers on a 5 wt. Eventually you'll have about 6 or 7 different rods but for starters a 5 wt is hard to beat. If you get a 3 or 4 piece one you can do some backpacking/ bushwacking for trout too.

 

[Q child]

The new Scientific Anglers lines in the Amplitude series are fantastic as well, some of the nicest I've cast in a while.

I use the "MPX" taper in the Amplitude series from Scientific Anglers. Its a good all around line. I have used it in about every size they make, on a wide variety of rods, and it always works pretty well.

Both Scientific Anglers and Rio make multiple series of lines, which are largely defined by the chemicals that the line is made out of, the material and construction of the core, and the outer texture of the line. Then they also make multiple tapers, which is defined by the shape of the line and how the weight is distributed - for example, most modern lines are some variety of "weight forward," which means the fishing end of the line is heavier and thicker than the reel end of the line. This helps you when you are casting.
Anyway, the MPX taper from Scientific Anglers and the Grand or Gold tapers from Rio are available in a couple of their line series. In my opinion, you could get away with buying a good taper in a cheaper series - for example the previously mentioned MPX taper is available in the Amplitude series for $130 and the MPX taper is available in the Mastery series for $80. Same taper, but different construction.

I'm inclined to agree with the guys advocating for buying an upgraded line right off the bat. It does make a big difference. There are a lot of tapers out there, so don't get too bogged down. The previously mentioned Rio Grand or Rio Gold lines are both pretty good all-rounders, with a little bit of their own character. I waffle back and forth between the two. The Gold is gentler, nicer presentation and the Grand is more powerful, deeper rod loading, and capable of throwing heavier flies.

I think you will be happy with any of the three.

 

[Nickofthewoods]

Anyone have experience with bozeman fly works? Seem reasonable in price but know nothing about them or their quality. Do you have to have a stringy handlebar boy stash to own one of their setups?

No mustache, but maybe an Asian Rice Hat.
Looks like sourced items from China.

One of their lines looks pretty similar to Rio Gold Fly Line. . Those with a watchful eye can go on EBay and find Rio lines (like the exact same lines) and other big name Fly Lines just with a knockoff name or no label. I've seen one that was just in clear plastic wrap and said "Big Nasty Fly Line" with the Rio name conspicuously absent. Sure enough same exact line for $20 instead of the $115 version that comes inside of a Rio Box. Their Reels look like cheap CNC reels from China as well. I can pretty much guarantee they don't have a machine shop up their in Bozeman making them. If you look around you'll probably find those same reels with the names Redington, Allen, Piscifun or some other larger retailer's name on them and for $80 more. All from the China.

 

[92xj]

Well, I hate you guys.
I haven't fly fished in years but have been craving it lately and this thread pushed me over the edge.
I haven't been in the game for so long so had no idea what to get but this is what I ended up with, without breaking the bank. Trout and river small mouth is what I will target.
Echo carbon xl 9' 5wt
Echo shadow click reel 4/5
SA dacron backing
Rio avid floating line 5wf

 

[EastCoaster]

When is the best time to look for deals on fishing gear? It doesn’t look like anything is on sale currently. I am leaning towards the redington CT 5wt and pairing it with a to be determined reel.