Any recommendation on a beginners fly fishing outfit? Looking to stay under $200 for the rod and reel, and right now it looks like Cabelas has several nice options to choose from. Will be mostly used for small creek/pond fishing for trout and bass. Thinking a 8-8.5" 4 wt, if that's appropriate. Really want 4 piece so I can travel easily with it.

I'd recommend a TFO. Good warranty. 5 wt is probably most versatile. If you plan on getting into some 5 lb bass that 4 wt isn't ideal.

Get a 6 wt. TFO is a good choice. The 6 wt will cast bigger bass flies if you want to. Also big enough for big water trout

Go with the TFO and nxt reel comes in 5/6 8 foot. I got one for my 13 year old to get started. Also the most important piece of flyfishing is the rod, and TFO makes a great rod with no questions asked return and fix.

Also I would compare flyfishing to playing golf whereas its addicting, leaving you always wanting more. Youve been warned!

Any recs on a reel?

Don't overlook the fly line. Many a potential fly fisherman has said "to hell with this idea" because of a cheap kinky fly line that doesn't have a good taper. Something like the Orvis Clearwater with a weight forward taper for beginning caster is a great choice with the rod like Chocolate Labs suggested. Whatever you buy,get a weight forwardline that costs at least $35.00.

everything you need to know

I bought an Okuma setup. It catches fish. sometimes.

You can get a 9 ft, 5wt rod, reel, line and tapered leader at Bass Pro for $100. This is all you need to get started and then some.

^ do not agree. Stay away from big stores like Cabelas' and Bass Pro's house brand fly rods. No warranty and designed by guys who don't fly fish. The entry level rods from TFO, Echo & Orvis (all designed by people I know) are a much better choice and will make learning easier and more fun..

[This message has been edited by 87Flyfisher (edited 7/22/2013 11:59p).]

I helped a guy learn to cast once who had a under $100 set up and I could barely cast it, and I am a decent caster.

Those cheap rods will ruin you. Spend some money and get a decent used one. Ebay has plenty at good prices.

The echo carbon rod is a great rod.

http://www.orvis.com/store/product.aspx?pf_id=1P51 Streamline outfit by Orvis 179.00

I got started fly fishing last summer and went with a TFO 8.5' 4wt, Ross reel and some good line. The rod was $150, but comes with a lifetime warranty, the Ross reel is a Fly Rise and ran about $100 and then some Scientific Angler textured line was around $70. That puts you over $200, but it's a pretty nice little setup.

If I could do it all over again, I would probably go with a 5wt so I could throw some larger bass flies.

The lifetime warranty is key and very much worth paying a little more, imo. I broke the tip off of a winston 5wt a couple weeks ago. 100% my fault. $50 later I have a new rod on the way. I think TFO only charges $20 or $25 to repair/replace.

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AggieChemist
posted 7:52a, 07/23/13



The echo carbon rod is a great rod.

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I'm about to buy one in 4wt. I just bought a NIB Lamson Radius 1.5 from my BiL. He bought a couple a few years ago when they were on clearance and this one just sat in his closet since.

TFO Signature II Fly Rod 2Pc for about 119 or so, and a TFO Prism Large Arbor Fly Reel for about 80 or so dollars.

Redington Surge 80 dollars
Ross Worldwide Flyrise Fly Reels 110 or so
Redington Pursuit rod 120
Wright & McGill Generation II S-Curve Fly Rods 100 or so.

You really need to increase your budget about 50 dollars or so. Additionally, you need to factor in your bugs/poppers, fly line, leader and tippet. The latter two are pretty cheap but can add up.

If your primarily fishing for perch/sunfish, trout or bass, keep in mind the poppers for bass are going to be at least 2.00 per/bug. A few hard hits and both perch and bass can destroy the cheaper poppers.

Trout flies both wet and dry are not too terribly bad.

Seems like anything TFO is a safe bet. I like the Orvis linked above but it's backordered until late next month, after I need it.

I love my Echo 6 wt. It is perfect for small to med. sized bass fishing. You only need the 8 wt when you go up to bigger flies and bigger fish.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=g1Ul9F13vXE

orvis helios is nice.

I have the basic TFO kit in 5/6 weight. It comes with everything you need for just over 200. Already broke the rod once. Shipped it in with 25 dollars and 3 days later had a new one. The reel and line aren't too great though.

If you really want to stay under 200 check out Redington pursuit combo. I believe it is about 180 and comes with rod, reel, line, leader and a case. And I think it has a warranty as well.

If you are in the DFW area you can return TFO rods to the office in Dallas. Or you could. I have an Orvis and TFO set up. Both are great beginner rods.

I ended up purchasing a 8.5" 5wt Redington Pursuit outfit. Played around with it yesterday at the neighborhood pond and caught a really gorgeous longear sunfish. Certainly not the biggest but I had a good time learning to cast. Overall I am impressed with the whole kit. It should serve me well for quite a while.



[This message has been edited by mneisch (edited 7/31/2013 8:18a).]

Nice. Always love the colors on those fish.

You did nice on the Redington pursuit. That's what I did initially too, and now my son is using my entry level TFO. I am now looking for a mid range price 8 or 9 weight, and my wife is not a happy camper.

Nice little fish by the way.

The guy at Bass Pro was really pushing the Reddington 5wt kit for fresh water $139.00. Is that the one? I was a little skeptical after so many here slamming the cheaper set ups, but with reasonable odds on cheap being bad.
He did say that he had a customer who bought a TFO and broke it sent it back to TFO on a Tuesday and had it back Thursday. That's customer service!

[This message has been edited by KatyAg88 (edited 7/31/2013 2:21p).]

oneeyedag- If your idea of "midprice" is $450 for an Orvis Helios 9 weight that retailed for $850 a few months ago, send me an email. Contact is in the Maroon Book link. A couple of regulars on this board have already benefitted from me having to sell my Helios rods and switch to the new Orvis H2's for guide trips.

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The guy at Bass Pro was really pushing the Reddington 5wt kit for fresh water $139.00. Is that the one? I was a little skeptical after so many here slamming the cheaper set ups, but with reasonable odds on cheap being bad.

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I think that is the Crosswater kit. From my research, its worth the money to step up to the Pursuit.