School me on fly fishing

[75johndeere]

OK so I moved to western Montana last summer and worked thru them who fishing season but the other night a friend of mine that was moving to Texas gave me a reddington red fly rod so I have never fly fished before but want to try it so what do I need to figure it out ie type of reel books DVDs etc etc thanks guys

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[KopperBuck]

Get a hold of a local shop. A lot of times they put on classes/lessons. Same with the city, or college if you have one.

[JLS]

You can go with a pretty cheap reel, because for the fishing you are doing you don't really need a drag.  The basic Cortland, Scientific Angler, and Pfleuger reels are fine for trout.  All they do is hold the line.

Get a decent line, plan on 40-60 bucks.  If you are fishing more rivers you'll want a double taper.  If you are lake fishing a lot too you may want a weight forward line.  Put the braided loop connecters on the end of your fly line so you can quickly put on a new leader.

The local fly shops can help you with fly patterns.  Get on the water and learn.  Learn to cast, learn to double haul, learn to mend your line, learn to see a subtle take on an underwater nymph, learn to see what the fish are feeding on based on how they rise/surface/gulp, etc.

[75johndeere]

All the local shops want to sell guided trips I'll keep a eye out on classes but I'm not willing to spend 450 bucks on a guided trip to learn how. I'll be fishing the bitterroot Blackfoot and Clark fork rivers not a lot of lakes. Good to here on the cheap reel the poking around I have done at local shops they mostly have high end reels for 150+

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[JLS]

http://www.flyshack.com/DisplayCategory.aspx?CatID=503

Any of these would work fine.

You don't need to pay for a guided trip.  Take your rod to the park and practice your casting, then hit the water.

[Pathfinder101]

All great advice so far.  Yep, an expensive reel not required.  Unless you are fishing for something like steelhead, it's just basically a line-holder.  Yes, lessons are the best way to go.  If you try to learn it yourself you will likely just wind up getting frustrated and throwing your rod across the lawn. Fly casting is not really "throwing" the line, it is a balancing act where you lay the line out straight at the end of the performance.  That theory will take a little while to get used to. 
I would say that a decent weight forward floating line that matches your rod would be good to start out with.  Get some decent 9 foot leaders and a few dozen of the most popular flies.  If I could only have a half dozen flies in my box for Montana, they would be the elk hair caddis, the parachute adams, the bead head hares ear nymph, the bead head pheasant tail nymph, the wooly bugger and some sort of weighted stonefly nymph. 
 Don't go get a guide, any guide that wants to get a good tip will expect you to already know what you are doing when you get in the boat so he can concentrate on finding you the fish. 
Good luck, and be careful...this is more addicting than golf...

[7mmfan]

As an ex-fly fishing guide, I can't stress enough the benefit of going on a guided trip when you are first starting out. It may seem like a ton of money to pay to have someone take you fishing, but if everyone is on the same page, and the expectations are set that you are trying to learn how to do this, and not just chase a bobber down the river, then its definitely worth your while. You will learn more about not just how to fish effectively, but the entemology and bug hatches, and phases that make ALL the difference when fly fishing. You will learn on your own, but it will take you 10 times longer.

You've got your rod, and the advice on a cheap reel is basically right. Invest in a good weight forward line, they are way easier to learn to cast with then a double taper, and will work for more techniques as well. A Rio Grande is great all around line, as well as a Airflow Supple Impact. Stay away from Cortland lines, and most Scientific angler lines. Learn to "pick it up and lay it down" most fly fishing is not "casting". You can accomplish a lot by picking up 20' of line and putting it back down. The fish are in the water, not the air after all.

Once you can put your line in a hoola hoop at 30' consistently, and feel good with the rod in your hand, hire a guide and go for a float. Tell him you want to learn multiple techniques that you can use when fishing from shore, since that is what you will do mostly. Any guide worth his salt will slow down and teach you anything you want to know.

Feel free to PM me, I'll be happy to give you any advice I can give you.

[JLS]

As an ex-fly fishing guide, I can't stress enough the benefit of going on a guided trip when you are first starting out. It may seem like a ton of money to pay to have someone take you fishing, but if everyone is on the same page, and the expectations are set that you are trying to learn how to do this, and not just chase a bobber down the river, then its definitely worth your while. You will learn more about not just how to fish effectively, but the entemology and bug hatches, and phases that make ALL the difference when fly fishing. You will learn on your own, but it will take you 10 times longer.

You've got your rod, and the advice on a cheap reel is basically right. Invest in a good weight forward line, they are way easier to learn to cast with then a double taper, and will work for more techniques as well. A Rio Grande is great all around line, as well as a Airflow Supple Impact. Stay away from Cortland lines, and most Scientific angler lines. Learn to "pick it up and lay it down" most fly fishing is not "casting". You can accomplish a lot by picking up 20' of line and putting it back down. The fish are in the water, not the air after all.

Once you can put your line in a hoola hoop at 30' consistently, and feel good with the rod in your hand, hire a guide and go for a float. Tell him you want to learn multiple techniques that you can use when fishing from shore, since that is what you will do mostly. Any guide worth his salt will slow down and teach you anything you want to know.

Feel free to PM me, I'll be happy to give you any advice I can give you.

Out of curiousity, why don't you like Cortland 444 lines?

Agree completely on pick it up and lay it down.

[JLS]

I got a PM question about the braided connector.  Here is a link to the Orvis brand.

http://www.orvis.com/store/product.aspx?pf_id=1051

Here is a link to the Perfection Knot that you will use on your leader butt so you can do the loop to loop connection.

http://www.animatedknots.com/perfection/index.php

[7mmfan]

As an ex-fly fishing guide, I can't stress enough the benefit of going on a guided trip when you are first starting out. It may seem like a ton of money to pay to have someone take you fishing, but if everyone is on the same page, and the expectations are set that you are trying to learn how to do this, and not just chase a bobber down the river, then its definitely worth your while. You will learn more about not just how to fish effectively, but the entemology and bug hatches, and phases that make ALL the difference when fly fishing. You will learn on your own, but it will take you 10 times longer.

You've got your rod, and the advice on a cheap reel is basically right. Invest in a good weight forward line, they are way easier to learn to cast with then a double taper, and will work for more techniques as well. A Rio Grande is great all around line, as well as a Airflow Supple Impact. Stay away from Cortland lines, and most Scientific angler lines. Learn to "pick it up and lay it down" most fly fishing is not "casting". You can accomplish a lot by picking up 20' of line and putting it back down. The fish are in the water, not the air after all.

Once you can put your line in a hoola hoop at 30' consistently, and feel good with the rod in your hand, hire a guide and go for a float. Tell him you want to learn multiple techniques that you can use when fishing from shore, since that is what you will do mostly. Any guide worth his salt will slow down and teach you anything you want to know.

Feel free to PM me, I'll be happy to give you any advice I can give you.

Out of curiousity, why don't you like Cortland 444 lines?

Agree completely on pick it up and lay it down.

Cortland lines are stiff in my opinion and have a high memory, which isn't the end of the world, but it does affect your casting stroke and how you need to cast to accomplish certain things. They also tend to wear out faster. NOW, what I consider fast is inside a year with  100-150 days on the water. I've found the Rio lines and the Airflow lines tend be durable, supple, and very easy casting. They float well, and for the average fly fisherman, they will last at least a few years.

[7mmfan]

Also, most of the better lines these days come with welded loops on the end for a smooth loop to loop connection. Those braided loops are awesome if that is what you have to use, but they have been known to fail and are kind of a pain. Invest in a line that has one already.

[JLS]

Thanks for the insight.  I'm due to replace a couple of lines this year.  None of my Cortland 444's ever came with the welded loops

Maybe the TR2 would like a Rio

[ryanfam]

I started flyfishing the same neck of the woods that you are located. You may want to try some smaller streams that are not as intimidating as the larger rivers. Some suggestions are the two forks of the Bitteroot south of Hamilton,Rock creek, Lolo creek. Any of the small streams on your decent into the Big Hole have tons of brookies in them that are eager to jump on a well presented fly. That is the key to have your fly travel down the stream at the same rate as all the naturals. Learning how to mend your line will get you onto fish.

Good luck as you picked a great spot to learn how to fly fish.

[JM]

I lived in Hamilton for 7 months doing Instrument work at the GSK when it was being built and I fished fished almost every single day I was there. Since I don't see myself being able to go back, I will fill you in on some of the stuff that I learned about the area if you want PM me. I'm sure a guide would be a great idea, but I enjoy figuring things out myself. One thing that you should know is that there should be a March Sqwalla ( I think that's how you spell it) hatch starting up and if you hit up the east fork of the Bitterroot You'll get into some pretty amazing cutthroat fishing. Also don't worry about trying to get to hard to reach holes, because the ones off of the highway will produce just fine. Like I said PM me if want any info and wanna save $450

[75johndeere]

Ok we'll got rigged up today and even had some front yard practice. Ended up with my rod reddington red fly 9'6" 7/8 weight. A echo ion reel 4/5 weight. A airflow wf-5-f line and a dozen flys for what's hatching right now ill have to start learning about our local bugs because I had no clue what the guy was talking about when he was explaining what they simulate and what was hatching right now.( it's those wasquilla things jm was talking about. Thank you guys for the help and I'm sure I will have more questions but the plan is to hit the river on Saturday morning to try or luck.

[JLS]

Why did they have you put a 5 weight line on 6/7 weight rod?

Skwalas are a smaller golden stonefly.

Your basic pattern types are a nymph, which is the larvael form of the insect.  Next you have emergers, which is the form as the larvae emerges into the insect form, and the adult which is the hatched insect. 

The basic insects you'll have on the Bitterroot are the skwalas, caddis, and mayflies.  I have a book called Flyfishing Montana that does a really good job of showing the different hatches going on each month, and the patterns one would want to use during that time.

[75johndeere]

That was my fault I thought it was a 5/6 weight rod is that going to make a big difference?

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[JLS]

Yes, it will.  The 5 weight line will make it harder to "load" up the rod for casting.  Usually on a rod that is dual weight like yours, you want the heavier line for closer casting and/or bigger flies (bass bugs, pike leeches) and the lighter line would be for longer distance casting.

I think it's going to be hard for you to cast with it.  How did the practice go?  Maybe check with the shop and see if they'll work with you on it.

[75johndeere]

I did alright was getting it to lay down smooth but couldn't get much distance worse case I can buy another rod as I didn't buy the first one it was free from a friend

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[thatkidwho]

The rod, reel, line wt combo seems odd to me but I know nothing. I just started fly fishing last summer. Check out LL Beans guide to fly fishing. Its a great primer on techniques, theory and water reading. It also covers some basic fly tying.
Practice,  practice, practice. I spend 30 minutes twice a week in the street practicing my cast. Also get friendly with the guys at a local shop, they love to talk about it.

[JLS]

I did alright was getting it to lay down smooth but couldn't get much distance worse case I can buy another rod as I didn't buy the first one it was free from a friend

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It will be hard to cast much line when it is underloaded by 2 weights.  It's like trying to pitch a 1/4 oz Panther Martin with a steelhead rod.  You just can't load the rod up enough to make it work for you while you're casting, and without the flexing and loading you won't get any power or distance.

A 5 weight is perfect for the Blackfoot and Bitterroot.  Maybe see if you could trade the rod, or sell it and buy a 5 weight?  Check your local Craigslist too.

[JLS]

The rod, reel, line wt combo seems odd to me but I know nothing. I just started fly fishing last summer. Check out LL Beans guide to fly fishing. Its a great primer on techniques, theory and water reading. It also covers some basic fly tying.
Practice,  practice, practice. I spend 30 minutes twice a week in the street practicing my cast. Also get friendly with the guys at a local shop, they love to talk about it.

You're not actually casting your line ONTO the street are you?  Blacktop is not going to help your line last very long.  Those magical coatings will get abraded off in very short order

[thatkidwho]

The rod, reel, line wt combo seems odd to me but I know nothing. I just started fly fishing last summer. Check out LL Beans guide to fly fishing. Its a great primer on techniques, theory and water reading. It also covers some basic fly tying.
Practice,  practice, practice. I spend 30 minutes twice a week in the street practicing my cast. Also get friendly with the guys at a local shop, they love to talk about it.

You're not actually casting your line ONTO the street are you?  Blacktop is not going to help your line last very long.  Those magical coatings will get abraded off in very short order

No it lays in the grass but I do have to stand street when shooting for distance

[jagermiester]

You don't need to learn how to cast you need to learn how to read the water and mend your line. Every time you go stop at a fly shop and spend 6 bucks on three flys and pick those guys brains. You are in mt with the nicest people on earth get someone to take you fishing there are no secret spots because there are fish everywhere. I envy you I spent two years in Dillon going to college by far the best place I have ever lived.

[JLS]

You don't need to learn how to cast you need to learn how to read the water and mend your line.

 

So when you have a great big lunker laying next to a cut bank, sipping emergers, how are you going to catch him if you can't cast?

[jagermiester]

Are you kidding I am saying the casting is the easy part!

[JLS]

Are you kidding I am saying the casting is the easy part!

:bash:Doh!

I'm with you now. 

[75johndeere]

We are headed out Saturday morning. you are right about some of the nicest people on earth it's hard going anywhere around here with having a 30 min conversation about nothing with a complete stranger. I think I finally figured out the casting thing was dropping the fly into a garbage can lid 3 out of 5 attempts at about 20-25 yards and no more whipping sounds. What do you mean by mend the line like fix it or is there a different meaning to mend when I comes to fly fishing?

[jagermiester]

You want your nymph to have a realistic drift. If your fly line gets into fast or slow water it will pull your nymph and the fish won't bite. Try to keep it simple at first find nice deep holes fish the bubbles. Have a blast buddy.

[GEARHEAD]

YOUTUBE any questions you have, there are tons of instructional vids on it...."mending" is simply flipping or throwing that belly that will occure, upstream, while at the same time not throwing it so hard that it affects the end of your fly line, your simply attempting to fight physics and keep your fly on a nice dead natural drift....that belly that will form will attempt and will drag your fly rapidly down stream faster than the current, so on an average cast/presentation, you will be mending a couple times or more, to keep that steady natural drift...youtube it, you wont be disappointed.  best of luck.

[RifleRidge]

I have a ton of Vintage tied flies..

My Grandfather and My Mother did a lot of fly fishing just for fun. I always thought of it as ~~*censored* and giggles, really!~~

Fun had by all!..

[justsomedude]

Here's some basic advice that's helped me over the years.
 
•   It's called fishing not casting.  As you become more comfortable limit false casting.
•   Learn how to tie knots and double check them.  Big fish break bad knots.
•   Don't stress about matching the hatch.  You can fish with a streamer during a mayfly hatch.
•   You don't need specialty “fly fishing” gear.  Spend money on going fishing, not buying gear.
•   Pick one fly and learn to fish it.  It's kind of like having a go-to swing, club or whatever that gives you confidence.

 You're in a great place to start fishing.  Have fun with it!

[75johndeere]

Well thanks for all the advice guys fished from Hamilton all the way to Dillion and back today and hooked up twice didn't land either of them but it was nice at least hooking into fish

[75johndeere]

ya if i ever land one it will go free i think trout tastle like crap anyways