I have fly fished for 35 years. Love it. My wife has decided (after trying it out last year) that she would like to fly fish more. I am looking for a decent rod & reel set up. Not looking for high end, but also want something decent that will last.

All I know is I am not overly eager to share my 20 year old Sage rod and Lamkin reel with her this summer!

I got my 8 year old a really nice Reddington combo, 4 piece rod. Comes with a case nice reel for a beginner and is fully spooled up with backing flyline leader and tippet.

Was under $250

My beginner set up a few years ago was a TFO combo. Good quality and very affordable.

You can get her a Reddington or TFO combo. That's what I got my daughter and it's just fine.

Or, if you want something nicer but not expensive, you could get something like a Lamson Liquid reel, a TFO Pro III or II (if you can find one), and a $50 floating line.

Both options will catch fish.

Prepare to be out fished, OP.

Orvis Clearwater.

Sounds like freshwater is the set up based on username and no mention of saltwater. I have an orvis 6wt Clearwater is pretty much all purpose for panfish and bass. I think there are cheaper options that would have just as much success. Good luck.

Cannot recommend Orvis Clearwater enough. if you specify exactly what type of fishing we may be able to hone it in.

3rd the recommendation!!!

Orvis Encounter & Orvis Clearwater was my first start up 7 years ago. Since then, my wife says my "Fly Rodding" has been out of control.

TFO warranty and customer service are very hard to beat. My first thought would be something with a slower action like the Signature or Pro. That's basing entirely off of how my wife casts as a beginner.

I'm very partial to Airflo lines, but whatever you're happy with. For a reel, unless you're really wanting something metal, I'd throw a Echo on there and call it a day.

Orvis Clearwater Outfit or TFO offer the best product for the money, warranty and customer service.

Whatever you buy; don't go cheap on the fly line get a top quality, weight forward floating line.

Best price on TFO or Orvis set ups mentioned above
Craigslist/Marketplace often have deals from folks that gave up:-)

Yordaddy said:

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Cannot recommend Orvis Clearwater enough. if you specify exactly what type of fishing we may be able to hone it in.

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This is the way I was leaning. I am mainly talking trout fishing in Colorado rivers/streams.

Special use but wanted to reply in case anyone was in a similar situation. Started with an 8wt TFO BVK for saltwater and loved it. Got addicted but wanted a lighter and shorter rod for fishing our place in the hillcountry that is tight quarters with overhanging vegetation, clear flowing water, and 10-20' wide at most. My 8ft BVK was serviceable but I wanted something more maneuverable. Definitely not ideal for TX rivers and freshwater.

Ended up with a 7'6 Clearwater. For trout fishing you probably want something longer. After talking to the guys at Orvis, I took their recommendation for the "Creek Stick". I am by no means a great caster but love this rod. I have really honed my casting on it and absolutely love fishing it. It's hard for me not to reach for it and have fished it in TX hill country, east TX bass ponds, AR, OK, NM, and Idaho. By no means is it a cadillac rod but I love it. Haven't splurged on a super nice rod yet because this thing gets the job done and I love it.

For a beginner like me, this is an awesome rod I will probably never get rid of. My novice Dad and girlfriend are able to cast it surprisingly well. Warranty is awesome. As you can tell I am a huge fan and will probably never get rid of this rod. I am not as tuned into the technical aspects of all the rod offerings I just love to fish the clearwater. FWIW, I say pull the trigger on the CW at your desired weight and rod length.

Edit to add: As mentioned above I agree not to skimp on a good fly line. I would put money into that vs. a nice reel. For 90% of the fish I have caught on this (bass/trout up to 5lbs) the reel is a glorified line holder. Line makes all the difference, but that's my limited opinion.

Yordaddy said:

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Special use but wanted to reply in case anyone was in a similar situation. Started with an 8wt TFO BVK for saltwater and loved it. Got addicted but wanted a lighter and shorter rod for fishing our place in the hillcountry that is tight quarters with overhanging vegetation, clear flowing water, and 10-20' wide at most. My 8ft BVK was serviceable but I wanted something more maneuverable. Definitely not ideal for TX rivers and freshwater.

Ended up with a 7'6 Clearwater. For trout fishing you probably want something longer. After talking to the guys at Orvis, I took their recommendation for the "Creek Stick". I am by no means a great caster but love this rod. I have really honed my casting on it and absolutely love fishing it. It's hard for me not to reach for it and have fished it in TX hill country, east TX bass ponds, AR, OK, NM, and Idaho. By no means is it a cadillac rod but I love it. Haven't splurged on a super nice rod yet because this thing gets the job done and I love it.

For a beginner like me, this is an awesome rod I will probably never get rid of. My novice Dad and girlfriend are able to cast it surprisingly well. Warranty is awesome. As you can tell I am a huge fan and will probably never get rid of this rod. I am not as tuned into the technical aspects of all the rod offerings I just love to fish the clearwater. FWIW, I say pull the trigger on the CW at your desired weight and rod length.

Edit to add: As mentioned above I agree not to skimp on a good fly line. I would put money into that vs. a nice reel. For 90% of the fish I have caught on this (bass/trout up to 5lbs) the reel is a glorified line holder. Line makes all the difference, but that's my limited opinion.

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Good stuff! Thanks.

Will be going trout fishing in colorado this summer. First time fly Fisher. Was leaning hard toward the orvis Clearwater. This thread has confirmed that choice. What weight and length pole should I be looking at?

9 ft. 5 weight is the most versatile for Trout fishing.

The first fly rod set up I bought was a Sage Discover Series 9' 5wt (590 DS) back in 1996. It came with a Sage 106m reel and line. It is a really nice casting rod, especially for a beginner. It's a moderate action so it almost forces you to slow down and feel the rod load on the forward and back cast. I was curious about the rod, so I just looked it up. I think this would be a nice beginner rod if you got it for $135 -$140.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/364224052908?hash=item54cd71feac:g:4tYAAOSw5gVkPz9e

Oof. That rod sold for $281. That's nuts. I think I paid $125 when I bought the combo back in '96.

87Flyfisher said:

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9 ft. 5 weight is the most versatile for Trout fishing.

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Thank you!