Need some recommendations for a new fly rod and reel. Prefer if it comes from Orvis as I can get a discount. Use will be fishing for trout in rivers and creeks in CO. So probably a 5 weight 9' rod. I am very much still a beginner, so I will probably snag a tree and break this rod, just like the last one.

My go to rod for the White River in Colorado is this one

https://www.orvis.com/product/clearwater-fly-rod-outfit/25SP_2.html

I am saving my milk money for the Recon, but that is a low priority right now. The Clearwater does a great job for me.

When I go up to higher elevation, I use a 3wt rod and reel, 8'0" length. I know it is going to ruffle feathers of the purists, but I use this setup and it is amazing for the little brookies and cuts at Trappers Lake

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N0MK19V/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017H38HPC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Ruffling the feathers of the purists is kinda like shooting fish in a barrel.

No need for an Orvis rod if you're a beginner and fear breaking it. If thats truly the case, your casting probably isn't good enough that you'd even see the benefits of a higher end rod anyway.

Cabalas/Bass pro make excellent entry level rods and have excellent warranties.

Also, when fishing for trout and 95% for freshwater species. Your reel is just a glorified line holder.

Spend your money on your line.

Tfo blue ribbon 5 wt. Lamson liquid reel. I'm a salt guy but have several TFO blue ribbon rods for bass and panfish. Their warranty is excellent. Reel is really just to store your line when you are just getting started.

Orvis Clearwater 4 piece is great for $. I have 3, they perform well.

You might as well get the new Helios, they are bad ass casting. And if you break it in the next 25 years, they'll replace it for like $25.

Orivs Clearwater sounds like exactly what you need. I love mine

Im a huge fan of the waterworks lamson rods. The Guru/Liquid outfits is the route I would go but you also cant go wrong with the clearwater

Thank you for posting the amazon rod and reel. I've been looking into getting into fly fishing, but everywhere you look for tips on an entry setup is full of people downing ANYTHING that isn't $300+ so it's a little discouraging. Thinking about getting the combo you mentioned and learning the ropes this summer.

I second and third the Orvis Clearwaters. Solid and get the combos - but maybe upgrade the line. They're my go-to's and my $$$ rods end up staying at home. I fish more comfortably without worrying about breaking an expensive rod.

I have the Redington combo and it works great. I am no expert or anything, but that combo has a 20 incher on its record. It is like $150 on amazon.

TFO warranty is great, highly recommend.

I also highly recommend Scott because they are amazing rods and I have 2 that I fish with a lot. They're also not cheap.

Orvis Clearwater 5 wt was what I bought as my first rod and still use it plenty anywhere from Rocky Mountain trout streams, backyard bass ponds in Texas to Arkansas smallmouth rivers.

Get a TFO, then move up.

Thanks y'all. Going to forward the Clearwater recommendation to my wife for Father's Day.

I would like to piggyback on this thread with a question. I'd like to pick up one of those Amazon fly rods posted above. What length and wt should I get for big crappie or small bass size fish?? TIA

Pantera said:

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Thank you for posting the amazon rod and reel. I've been looking into getting into fly fishing, but everywhere you look for tips on an entry setup is full of people downing ANYTHING that isn't $300+ so it's a little discouraging. Thinking about getting the combo you mentioned and learning the ropes this summer.

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I get what you're saying but I'd like to point out that folks are constantly bashing gear made overseas, high-end makers like Hardy, Loop, and Shilton for example excepted but balk at the price for USA made gear.

Unlike almost all conventional gear, the vast majority of mid- to upper-range fly gear is actually made in the USA.

Sage, Scott, St. Croix, Thomas, & Thomas, Winston, G. Loomis (at least until recently), and most of the rods Orvis sells (I forget the cut-off but I think it's the Clearwater and below lines are made overseas) are all made in the USA. They build the blanks on-site and completely build the rods in their respective factories.

And while you don't need a reel like a Tibor, Hatch, Abel, or Nautilus for chasing trout or bream or bass they're all made 100% in the USA. Again, Orvis reels above a certain price-point are made in the USA just like their rods. Most Lamson reels are made in the USA while their rods are generally made overseas. Bauer fly reels (owned by Winston) are made in the USA as well.

I'm not saying you have to spend the kind of money on a fly rod & reel set up that most of the above-mentioned brands will require but I can promise you, you will feel and see the difference.

Getting a kit from Redington or the like is a far better choice than the MaxCatch/Piscifun stuff.

https://farbank.com/products/redington-original-kit-590-4

nealan said:

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I would like to piggyback on this thread with a question. I'd like to pick up one of those Amazon fly rods posted above. What length and wt should I get for big crappie or small bass size fish?? TIA

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I'd probably go 4 or 5 wt. If you're going to be fishing in tight tree areas, go down in length. The shorter the rod, the less accurate it is for casting.

9' 5WT is where you should start. Can handle most freshwater fishing situations

Thanks guys!

My favorite creek and high mountain lake rod is a 7'6 4wt with a double taper trout line. I only use my 5wt for bigger water and bass

HowdyTexasAggies said:

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Orvis Clearwater 4 piece is great for $. I have 3, they perform well.

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This is the right answer