Help me build a rok solid fly set up.

[ztc92]

Following with much interest. My first fly rod was an Amazon special and while I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it, I’ve caught a lot of fish on that set up.

Your list seems like a great start.

I will say I’ve been very happy with my Simms waders and wading boots. They’re the RSS of waders based on price to value.

I have a cheap cross body pack from Bob Wards that is good enough I haven’t upgraded yet. I’ve thought of trying to rig up my HPG chest rig for fly fishing but haven’t done it. Marsupial also makes a nice chest pack for fly fishing that you can swap out with their bino harness or chest rig. I’ve considered that set up as well but really like my SG bino harness so can’t bring myself to change.

 

[Austink47]

My two cents a 6cm tikka in a Rokstok is not a 9ft 5wt with a cheap reel, that is a 30-06 ruger American. The 6cm tikka for me is a 10ft 3 wt. echo shadow with a Lamson reel.

That is my 95% fly rod. I can euro nymph, dry fly, indicator, and even throw small streamers with it. A bit unorthodox, arguably undersized, super versatile, people don’t quite get it, it is a lot of fun and you can’t argue with the results. Kinda like a 6cm.

Forgot to mention that rod handles a traditional taper 4wt line nicely. In my experience most beginners benefit from a slightly over lined rod. (Maybe a parallel to a heavy for caliber bullet)

Also the mountain smith day is an awesome wading pack. You can find them used for cheap.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Forgot to mention that rod handles a traditional taper 4wt line nicely. In my experience most beginners benefit from a slightly over lined rod. (Maybe a parallel to a heavy for caliber bullet)

Also the mountain smith day is an awesome wading pack. You can find them used for cheap.

Heavier lines absolutely help beginners, it helps them feel the rod load on the back cast.

 

[Ferrulewax]

I think it’s really hard for a us to compare fly fishing to the rokslide special. The “rokslide special” is a term for a rifle system that is as effective and easy to use as possible. That is inherently the opposite of fly fishing. I think equating flyfishing gear to archery is a much more fair comparison, but still doesn’t totally work, because archery gear is oftentimes a necessity for a given species or season- which flyfishing gear is not. Flyfishing is almost a choice of self limitation and enjoying the process.

We fly fish because we like it and we enjoy it. Fly fishing is not, and never will be the best way to catch fish effectively- at least aside from certain times of year when fish are feeding on small surface insects. The “rokslide special” of flyfishing might be an 11’ 3wt and euro nymphs, but that is precisely the opposite of why I fly fish (if you can consider it flyfishing). Sure it’s effective, but I just don’t have much interest in it. I can’t imagine enjoying a 12’ 3wt, and I don’t even know of one that is commercially available. I have euro nymphed plenty, and bobber nymphed significantly more than that. I am not too good for either, and would still do them if that’s what it took to catch a fish (well, maybe, but I hate nymphing) but I don’t think those are a fair recommendation for a new fisherman.

Op is on the right track, get a good reel and a great line (SA amplitude) and you’ll be well on your way. As you can see, just like in the hunting world- there are plenty of opinions- none of them wrong or right, just different.

 

[ArcherAdam]

I really like the lamson liquids that I have. They are a great deal when you get the 3 pack.

If you decide to order in line, have confidence with Risen Fly Shop. I live about 30 miles from them and find myself driving up often. They have fantastic prices and their lines rival the top dollar ones. I don't have experience with their reels though.

Risen Fly Fishing - Quality gear without the high end price.

Risen Fly Fishing - Quality gear without the high end price. Our great rods, reels, lines and so much more are priced with YOU in mind.

www.risenfly.com

Fly wise you can never go wrong with pheasant tails, perdigon, and zebra midges for nymphs. Up top I have alot of luck with comparadun style dries and cripples (quigleys) in various colors. An elk hair caddis is also one you want to have in your box. A Stimulator is also a great all purpose dry that works on alot of waters in alot of places.



Sent from my SM-S921U using Tapatalk

 

[Flyjunky]

Buy quality fly line. It’s worth it. A shit rod with good line will cast better than a good rod with shit line. Been pleased with my Rio lines but I’ll probably switch back to scientific anglers when the time comes.

This can’t be overstated. Those who are saying just buy any ‘ol fly line don’t know what they are talking about.

I’d rather have someone spend less on their reel and get a good fly line.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

This can’t be overstated. Those who are saying just buy any ‘ol fly line don’t know what they are talking about.

I’d rather have someone spend less on their reel and get a good fly line.

100% splurge on the right line.

Just do your research first, fly lines are like scope rings, if you decide you don’t like/need/want them they can be very tough to sell. I was just looking at my shelves and I probably have a thousand dollars of fly lines that just sit there in the boxes.

I’d also encourage you to shop around, some places will throw in a free line when you buy a rod or reel, that could save you some money. My friend needed an 8wt rod for a trip to Mexico coming up, he got a mid tier g loomis rod for around 600.00 and they offered him any line for free, he got one of the dance 180.00 scientific angler textured, clear tip lines for free. Then he got a reel from another place, they also threw in a free line so he got a 6wt line to replace one on another rod.

 

[HilltopHitman]

Thanks for all the comments from everyone.

After researching, watching videos, feedback from here... I will be buying the Lamson and putting some SA line from the local fly shop Jimmy's in Idaho Falls. It seemed best band for the buck and that's what this current build is aimed towards.

Has anybody had any experience with the KastKing Chest Pack? Seems like a decent bargain.

Kastking chest pack

Remember, this is to help all new fly fisherman get started with above average gear without spending 1500 dollars on a reel/rod combo. If all goes and I enjoy it as much as I think I will, Ill upgrade next spring to some fancy stuff...