Help me build a rok solid fly set up.

[HilltopHitman]

Everyone,
Seeing lots of fly-fishing threads related to which pole, reel, etc. I read through them all and I'll start with saying I have no fly-fishing experience. The goal of this thread is to help others and myself put together the best beginner/Intermediate budget friendly fly fishing set up for Trout on the creeks and rivers.

Recently re-located from Northern Idaho to SE Idaho near the snake.

Reading from other threads I picked up a TFO NXT Black from Sierra for $79.90. 9' length in 5W.

TFO NXT BLACK

Now ive done a little research on reels. Liquid Lamson, Sage Spectrum, Orvis Clearwater, TFO is what I narrowed it down to.

Need advice and links to good deals for..

1. Reel

2.Backer and Line (Size)

3.Tippet (Size)

4. Fly's for South Fork Snake you'd recommend. And a tip for methods (Nymph or Dry flies?)

5. Any good pack or chest rig that would be great to start with.

I'm essentially asking the group to put together a Tikka 6CM in a Rokstok.

 

[Nickofthewoods]

You'll get a million different answers to this and they could all be right. Good start with the 9t 5wt rod now just match really any 5wt reel to it. A good fly shop will help with the backing, fly line, tippet, flies, etc.

There is a guide that works on the San Juan River in New Mexico who has a video of himself catching a 20 pound brown trout on a cheapo Wal-Mart rod/reel combo. In the video there are other fly fisherman around him that probably have thousands of dollars worth of gear. It's a good reminder that it doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. I used an old camera case for my first chest pack and bought used rods and reels off of eBay and craigslist 20 years ago that I still use today.

 

[BLJ]

1) Piscifun. I’ve had good luck with these.

2)20# backing and 5# line. I prefer floating. Sierra has good deals on this.

3) Match it to the fly you’re using and what your fishing for.

4) Can’t help with that one.

5) https://mountainsmith.com/collections/the-outpost/products/2023-day?variant=43447226368233
I’d try this with the shoulder straps. Plenty of room for fishing stuff and water.
And if you don’t end up liking fly fishing you have something that’s still useful to you.
Not a pack with trout on it.

How you present your chosen fly and where is going to be difficult/important thing. IMO.

 

[Ferrulewax]

My opinions:

1) Lamson Liquid

2) 20lb backing in whatever color you like, from your local fly shop

For line, I really think the amplitude (smooth) lines from SA are worth it. The impregnated line lasts significantly longer than a standard line. But if you want to save some money, SA mastery is a a great line too. On that rod I would probably suggest the trout taper, but the infinity would normally be my recommendation. The NXT I have fished in the past was a little on the softer side, so I think it would benefit from a true to line weight flyline like the trout.

2) For tippet, I would grab 2-5x of whatever brand. Just start with mono.

4) Ask the local fly shop at a couple different locations and you will quickly have a solid selection

5) use what you have for the time being. Flyfishing packs are on the expensive side. If you have a fanny pack, waist pack, whatever that will work- I would just use that until you find what you like and don’t like about it.

 

[eamyrick]

1. Reel
Anything size appropriate will work for trout but I’m a big fan of the older Ross C2 (Cimmarons). I find them on eBay. Another bombproof for life reel is a Galvan Rush. I have them on all of my saltwater setups.

2.Backer and Line (Size)
Any line will work. It really doesn’t matter that much unless that rod is stiff and then you should get an overweighted line. With that said, one of the biggest mistakes new fly fisherman make is getting a new age stiff rod where they can’t feel the rod flex. It builds bad casting habits. A stiffer rod is much harder for a new fisherman to deliver short-medium dry fly casts.

3.Tippet (Size)
4x for everything dry fly and nymph. I’ve read multiple articles in the last few years about fluro tippet for everything dry fly as the surface tension prevents tippet from sinking and has much better break strength. This is all I use now. Mono leader and fluro tippet. A roll of 4x, 3x, and 2x will cover dry flies and streamers.

4. Fly's for South Fork Snake you'd recommend. And a tip for methods (Nymph or Dry flies?)

If fish are eating on top I’ve never met a fish that wouldn’t eat a purple haze.

5. Any good pack or chest rig that would be great to start with.

I use a Patagonia guide waterproof backpack for everything. I throw a little puck of flies and tippet in my shirt pocket or waders. Nothing sucks as bad as all your gear soaked from a fall into the water.

Lastly-most fly fisherman suck at fishing. I’ve fished alot of spots and I’d say 80% struggle with casting despite having 1000s of dollars in gear. Get a casting lesson or two from your local fly shop and get out there and have a good time.

 

[sierracharlie338]

Need advice and links to good deals for..

1. Reel - I’m a fan of the Lampson reels. My first reel that wasn’t a kit was a Lampson I took to Alaska and caught salmon. I’m a big fan of Sage also. Orvis is decent but over priced once you get past the entry level stuff imo.
Good deal on a Sage - https://www.backcountry.com/sage-spectrum-reel

My favorite all around Lampson - https://www.tridentflyfishing.com/c...son-fly-reels/products/lamson-guru-s-fly-reel

2.Backer and Line (Size) - For backer any 20lb option works as you will rarely see it with trout. I prefer a floating weight forward (FWF) fly line normally unless I’m throwing something I want to get down in the water column. Scientific angler or Rio are the lines I prefer.

https://www.tridentflyfishing.com/collections/floating-fly-lines/products/scientific-anglers-amplitude-smooth-creek-trout-fly-line

3.Tippet (Size) - match it to the size fly you are throwing.

4. Fly's for South Fork Snake you'd recommend. And a tip for methods (Nymph or Dry flies?) - copper John, elk hair caddis, Adam’s dry fly, wooly bugger in black, San Juan worm type, a hares ear nymph, a zebra midge and an egg pattern will get you started.

5. Any good pack or chest rig that would be great to start with. - I’m actually running an orvis chest pack currently and really like it. Enough room for the essentials with out the ability to overload it like I did with the sling pack I had for a while. Fishpond is another solid company that makes very usable gear for the fly angler.

https://www.tridentflyfishing.com/collections/fly-fishing-chest-packs/products/orvis-chest-pack

Check this YouTube channel out as there is tons of info especially for new fly anglers.

Madison River Outfitters

Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

youtube.com

Hope this helps but careful, it can turn into a rabbit hole quickly.

 

[RME]

For fishing the south fork I’d probably go with a more general purpose line rather than a trout specific line. The dry fly fishing is really good but the presentations aren’t difficult and the streamer fishing is also excellent, especially from a boat,

Call around and see what flies people are using these days. Generally speaking fly selection out there isn’t complicated. It’s been quite a few years since I’ve fished that river but I’ve seen people successful with all kinds of crazy flies. If you’re on a riffle then match the hatch. But if you’re fishing banks for aggressive fish it’s more like bass fishing than trout

 

[justinspicher]

Have you thought about using a Tenkara rod? No reel, just an extendable pole and some line.

 

[5MilesBack]

One of the first things you want to understand is that fly rods come in different actions from very soft to very stiff. Throwing large flies to distant spots on a big river with a soft action rod is difficult. Laying down a very light soft presentation dry fly is difficult if not impossible with a stiff fast action rod. Then there's everything in between. Much like most every sport or activity, it's hard to have just one piece of gear that "does it all well". The best you can do with a single fly rod is to have a medium action rod that works "just ok" for most situations.

After you've done it awhile, you'll be able to feel the different nuances of light, medium, and fast action rods.......even between all the manufacturers. Not all rods are created equal even of the same action. It all becomes a "feel thing" and what you prefer. And that's where the rabbit hole starts. My grandpa and dad were both fly fishermen, amazing fly fishermen. I still have my grandpa's bamboo rods. One time I told my dad "you made me a fly fisherman, but I was born an elk hunter".

For most trout fishing, the reel is just a device to hold and keep your line. They don't have to be extravagant or expensive. I rarely use the reel once a fish is on. I tend and hold the line with my index finger, and strip the line with my other hand until the fish is landed. Once you get into bigger fish, then a decent reel with a good drag is nice.

As far as lines go, these days most manufacturers are making good lines. Pick a line that targets most of your use and go fishing.

 

[bigbassin]

On a 5wt the reel is just a glorified line holder, $50 reel from BPS home brand is all you need. Landed trout up to 22” on it with double nymph rigs and bass up to 5.5 pounds on poppers.

Use the money that you would have spent on the reel to buy items 2-5.

Line is personal preference/rod/technique based. Best bet is to just get a 5wt floating line that the local fly shop recommends to you, learn how to cast for a year, then go back and try a variety of lines if the shop will let you.

Tippet and flies depend on technique/pressure/water clarity. Again I’d default to the local fly shop on this.

Agree with everyone else on just using what you have for a chest rig. I have a bps el cheapo chest pack I got for $20, but just use a backpack equally as often.

 

[dgfavor]

My wife and I are "live by the dry, die by the dry" folks thru and thru. We keep two 9ft, 5wts rigged for big bugs against the banks as we drift and another 9ft 5wt rod rigged for dries in the riffles as we come to them if bugs are coming off. That said, I'd have no problem manning the sticks for someone to strip streamers or drown a nymph! PM if your interested, I am frequently looking for someone to go with - drift boats by yourself is just a lot of drifting and hoping the riffles are going off.
A drift boat is great place to learn casting mechanics as well as great place to learn line management and just fly rod mechanics of catching fish. That said I've had folks that couldn't cast a lick have great days from the boat, plopping out 20ft of line and using the boat to position the flies and set up long drag free floats.

The above said, my favorite fly fishing by far is in the country you just moved from.

 

[flyfisher117]

Any more you can’t really go wrong even cheap fly rods and reels are serviceable for trout. That being said I have been very happy with my 4 Lamson reels.

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.

I buy leader/tippet in bulk when I find it on sale. You’ll ruin a few just starting out. Match the tippet to the size of fly and where you’re fishing. A gentle dry fly on Silver Creek is different than plopping hoppers on the snake.

The fly shop in Driggs can help you get a fly box started that will match the bugs in east Idaho.

 

[Tradchef]

1. Reel
Anything size appropriate will work for trout but I’m a big fan of the older Ross C2 (Cimmarons). I find them on eBay. Another bombproof for life reel is a Galvan Rush. I have them on all of my saltwater setups.

2.Backer and Line (Size)
Any line will work. It really doesn’t matter that much unless that rod is stiff and then you should get an overweighted line. With that said, one of the biggest mistakes new fly fisherman make is getting a new age stiff rod where they can’t feel the rod flex. It builds bad casting habits. A stiffer rod is much harder for a new fisherman to deliver short-medium dry fly casts.

3.Tippet (Size)
4x for everything dry fly and nymph. I’ve read multiple articles in the last few years about fluro tippet for everything dry fly as the surface tension prevents tippet from sinking and has much better break strength. This is all I use now. Mono leader and fluro tippet. A roll of 4x, 3x, and 2x will cover dry flies and streamers.

4. Fly's for South Fork Snake you'd recommend. And a tip for methods (Nymph or Dry flies?)

If fish are eating on top I’ve never met a fish that wouldn’t eat a purple haze.

5. Any good pack or chest rig that would be great to start with.

I use a Patagonia guide waterproof backpack for everything. I throw a little puck of flies and tippet in my shirt pocket or waders. Nothing sucks as bad as all your gear soaked from a fall into the water.

Lastly-most fly fisherman suck at fishing. I’ve fished alot of spots and I’d say 80% struggle with casting despite having 1000s of dollars in gear. Get a casting lesson or two from your local fly shop and get out there and have a good time.

This right here. I stopped fishing the main rivers because of this. I’d have the guys come in their tundras with the Bozeman fly rod boxes and get suited up in their Simms waders in July, sunglasses, expensive packs, nets and of course the most expensive rod/ reel combo and couldn’t cast or land a fish if they could even get one to surface. But hey, they look good on the water for other dudes I guess

Spend the money on a few lessons and talk to the shops of your choice on fly selection. One of the lodges I was the chef at for a while when I moved back to Montana had pro deal on redington, sage, rio, Simms, Patagonia, Filson and Winston. I opted for redington for my rods. Mainly because I do a lot of backcountry fishing and didn’t want a super expensive rod and to keep breaking it regardless of warranty. I have the classic trout in 5wt and 3wt for a creek and pack rod , a hydrogen 8’6 5wt. I use rio backing, line and tippet or leaders just because I stocked up when it was cheap for me. I did get waders from Simms but use them more for trapping and the occasional winter fishing trip but hardly ever normally. I just get in and wade. Packs are like anything. It’s what you need. I use an old Osprey day pack and I have a Fishpond San Juan chestie for a quick rip or if I don’t need to carry much.
Flys I would just talk to your local guys and get a feel of what they are having luck with and go from there. Learn about the patterns and hatches. The rest of the stuff is your choice and how much you want to spend. I feel like fly fishing has become a fashion show these days which is unfortunate because it truly is an amazing way to fish when you figure it out

 

[dgfavor]

SE Idaho flybox - lotsa chunks of foam!

I'm sure you're aware there are other SE Idaho rivers that fish "OK" also :

 

[rtkbowhunter]

Was actually going to start a thread of my own. Hope the OP doesn't mind me piggy-backing on this. In the late 70's, 80's and early 90's I fly fished. A lot. tied my own flies, leaders,... Stopped around 2000. Looking to start back up and have a rod related question. Reels, I'm good. I have a few SA II's, a Piscifun (nice reel for the $$'s)

Back in the day, the only 4 pc rods were travel rods, and folks complained that the multi-piece affected the action. Now it seems that only 4 pc rods are available, from entry level up to $1,100 Sage rods. ,

Have the 4 pc rods improved significantly that action isn't affected?

Looking for a 8'-6" 4wt med fast action flyrod. Used to be it was Orvis, Sage, Loomis, RL Winston, even Fenwick HMG series were good choices. What else is available that doesn't cost as much as a new bow.

 

[Nickofthewoods]

Have the 4 pc rods improved significantly that action isn't affected?

Looking for a 8'-6" 4wt med fast action flyrod. Used to be it was Orvis, Sage, Loomis, RL Winston, even Fenwick HMG series were good choices. What else is available that doesn't cost as much as a new bow.

Doubt many people would notice a difference between most 2 and 4 piece rods that were made in the last 15-20 years.

There are a lot more. You might find 20 of the same rod that was made in the same factory overseas that just has a different brand's badging on it. Decent inexpensive rods too. Of course if you want a really good made in USA fly rod it will still cost much more like you probably remember. Companies like Sage and Scott still lead the way there, but I did hear that St. Croix is getting back into making fly rods. They always made nice rods at good price point.

 

[RME]

Have the 4 pc rods improved significantly that action isn't affected?

Like Nick said, that hasn’t been a thing for a long time. All their effort has been put into designing good 4 piece rods so the technology has improved dramatically.

 

[Dos XX]

Go to a fly shop. They can set you up with a starter setup. They can put the backing on. They can give you casting lessons, impromptu in the parking lot or on the water. They can recommend flies. They can recommend places to fish. You may pay a little more for the setup than at Bass Pro or online, but a good fly shop is a valuable asset.

Book a guided trip with the shop. It will cut the learning curve way down.

 

[dtrkyman]

I really like Ross reels but for trout a reel is just a line holder for the most part, I’d save money there!

Tippet I like Orvis or Trout hunter flouro, Rio is fine for mono.

I build my own leaders for many things, lots of good YouTube videos on formulas.


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