New to Fly Fishing

[butcherboy]

I grew up fairly near the San Juan River, I used to go there with my dad fairly often. We didn’t have a drift boat but for his birthday lots of times we’d hire a guide and fish from a drifter. Actually the only times ive ever fished from a drift boat.

I live about an hour from the Quality waters. I’ve always just waded it but would like to drift it below the quality waters some day. I prefer smaller mountain streams and creeks now. Had my fill of fighting wading guides over the years.

 

[hypersnackz]

Don’t buy anything from orvis.

Im actually in the market for entry level fly setup and was thinking Orvis Clearwater, do you have ant recommendations for that price point?

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Im actually in the market for entry level fly setup and was thinking Orvis Clearwater, do you have ant recommendations for that price point?

TFO and reddington both make some beginners setups. You could also shop around and put your own setup together. If you’re after trout and stuff, that reddington trout rod in 5wt just won best overall in the yellow dog 5wt shootout which is impressive since that’s a 170.00 rod that beat out 1000.00 rods. Seems like it would make a killer rod to get started on since the price is lower but the performance is great. Pair it with some sort of a lamson reel or something, get a 5wt line than go fishing.

 

[Boarmaster]

I didn't read all the responses. Heres my two cents. Best way to shorten the learning curve is to go to a fly fishing class. Even a one day class with classroom in the morning and some casting in the afternoon really is huge. Understanding the theory of how to make a cast is very important. My buddy and I started at the same time. I took the class he did not. I jumped right in and got pretty descent right away. He struggled for years and was always frustrated.

The class I went to taught everything from setting up your line ,different leader options, discussion on line and rod weights, flies, line management, casting retrieval and fighting fish large and smaller.

I wasn't a pro when I came out of the class but I had the knowledge of the fundamentals of fly fishing.

 

[Boarmaster]

I started with all Orvis gear back in 2002. I had or have no problem with them or their equipment. It was a good place to start.

I am almost exclusively a saltwater fisherman. So I have a bit different needs than freshwater.

I did move on once I got more experience. Moved up to Tibor reels and G.Loomis rods and different lines and leader and fly tying equipment, tools and materials.

I did have an old Orvis zero gravity 8 wt that was a fave of mine. I think I bought it in 2005/6. Two years ago I was yak fishing in Pine Island Sound when I got hooked up to a good snook. I snapped the top section of the rod during the fight. Orvis sent me a new upgraded rod under their warranty.

 

[Yoder]

I'm really torn on fly fishing. It's the best way to catch trout. Nothing else I've tried even comes close. It also makes me want to snap my rod in half, throw it in the river and never fish again. Tying 10k knots a day gets pretty freakin old. This year I was fishing a beautiful river wondering why the hell I'm torturing myself. I know most of the problem is I'm not very good at it, but it's incredibly frustrating.

 

[displacedtexan]

I'm really torn on fly fishing. It's the best way to catch trout. Nothing else I've tried even comes close. It also makes me want to snap my rod in half, throw it in the river and never fish again. Tying 10k knots a day gets pretty freakin old. This year I was fishing a beautiful river wondering why the hell I'm torturing myself. I know most of the problem is I'm not very good at it, but it's incredibly frustrating.

As someone who's currently fighting a lot of that... Doing hard things makes you a better person.

 

[Yoder]

As someone who's currently fighting a lot of that... Doing hard things makes you a better person.

I do love fishing. Especially trout fishing rivers. Reading the water, predicting where you think the fish are lying. That feeling when it all comes together and you hook a big fish. I've done it ever since I can remember, just not with a fly rod. I remember how hard it was when I was a kid with my spinning reel. I just need to be more patient and to just leave or take a break when I get frustrated. How crazy is it to be angry on a beautiful river, having the time and means to be able to fish in the first place. I really am trying to be more grateful.

 

[displacedtexan]

I do love fishing. Especially trout fishing rivers. Reading the water, predicting where you think the fish are lying. That feeling when it all comes together and you hook a big fish. I've done it ever since I can remember, just not with a fly rod. I remember how hard it was when I was a kid with my spinning reel. I just need to be more patient and to just leave or take a break when I get frustrated. How crazy is it to be angry on a beautiful river, having the time and means to be able to fish in the first place. I really am trying to be more grateful.

Very well said... But still easier said than done.

I caught my first fish on a fly that I tied today. And several nice cutthroats.