fly fishing instruction

[jtw]

Ive been an angler most my life but interested in learning to fly fish. Anyone know a good place to get started? I dont mind paying a bit for good instruction. Right now Im hesitant even to buy equipment since I know nothing about it. Any help is appreciated.

[quadrafire]

Look for a local fly fishing club, many communities have them. Great place for free instruction and information and likely many would have gear you could try before you buy.
Craigslist also has some good deals on flies and gear occasionally. Also local fly shops are a good source of local information for fly patterns.

[quadrafire]

My wife bought my first fly rod for a wedding present. We got married in December. I'd take it to a nearby park with a bit of yarn on the tippet and practiced casting that winter. Wish I had started with some instruction and probably wouldn't have some of my bad casting habits now.
Also there are a lot of you tube vids out with more info than you could digest.

[7mmfan]

I would start at your local fly shop and see what they offer. Pacific Fly Fishers in Mill Creek also host fly casting classes, along with Avid Angler in Lake Forest Park. I'm sure there are others. The Groupon below is for casting instruction, the guys are pretty good. Guides that have been in the business a long time. I know two people that have been through the classes and said good things.

When it comes to the fishing tactics, my suggestion would be to hire a guide for the day. I guided fly fishing trips for 10 years here in WA, and 1 day in a boat with a guide instructing you will set you years ahead of the learning curve. Many times I started days with people that had never held a fly rod and by the end of the day fished better than guys I know that had fished for years with no instruction. PM if you have any questions, I'm happy to chat.

https://www.groupon.com/deals/dickson-flyfishing-6?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=us_dt_sea_ggl_txt_ttt_sr_cbp_ch1_nbr_k*dickson%20flyfishing_m*p_d*seattle-RTC-Root_g*RTC-dickson-flyfishing-6-PHRASE_c*114626065569_ap*1t1_t*kwd-31400443456&gclid=Cj0KEQjwjem-BRC_isGJlJ-0h-MBEiQAbCimWJPRNYPFphnGOraKrCMwMLwU065FGgyHAjUdXCtGsuUaApNO8P8HAQ

[Bill W]

If you had your equipment and wanted to fish Rocky Ford creek I'd take you out and give some lessons.

[jtw]

Wow, thanks everyone! I'll follow up on your offers. Never expected this much response

[quadrafire]

If you had your equipment and wanted to fish Rocky Ford creek I'd take you out and give some lessons.

Only go with Bill W if it's not windy. Trust me on that one 

[Bill W]

Am I not good to be by in the wind.... or are you saying it's a bitch to cast up there in the wind?    I usually won't go if there's any sort of a wind.

[quadrafire]

HaHa......The Wind is a BIotch there. As are the Tules as a newbie caster........LOL
No disrespect meant for you for sure. Maybe I could come for some pointers so I don't feel like such a loser when I do go......

[Old Dog]

Contact Mike Martin at the Federal Way Sportsman's Warehouse.  He give lessons, and he was born with a fly rod in his hand. 

[DaveMonti]

I'd first figure out what kind of fly fishing you want to do.  The tactics and gear for salmon and steelhead fly fishing are significantly different than for trout.  If you're on the West side, most of the fly fishing here is for the migratory species.  Eastern WA has some very good trout streams/rivers.  Personally, I grew up fishing in Pennsylvania and now spend my time fly fishing in Montana.  I've fished for salmon and steelhead, but prefer to fish for wild trout. 

Once you figure that out, you can seek instruction and look to buy the type of gear for the fishing you intend on doing. 

[lucky7]

Research the sea run cutts in your backyard, any access to a gentle sloping gravel covered beach and it's a starting point. 9' 6wt with a short fighting butt and a intermediate sink tip and a pair of waders your in business. Go up and talk to the guy at Sportco or the federal way guy. That setup is a little light for Kennedy Creek for chums but will bode well for nympin at black or hicks for trout. Check Orvis Clearwater combo (300ish) or Cabelas combo's. Practice casting in your back yard. Tolmie might be a starting point, make note on the tides, they may light certain parts of the tide as opposed to other times. C&R only on the Cutts but is the most under fished fishery we have. 12 to 20 inch fish, good luck there

[huntnphool]

http://www.okigolf.com/Courses/TrophyLake/Pages/Casting.aspx

[Bill W]

HaHa......The Wind is a BIotch there. As are the Tules as a newbie caster........LOL
No disrespect meant for you for sure. Maybe I could come for some pointers so I don't feel like such a loser when I do go......

Anyone that wants to get out on Rocky Ford fishing after duck season closes either send a PM or start a thread on a "fish in".   The replacement lower bridge may be finished by then as the project is projected as done in 2016.  Best to pick a low wind day for fishing there as it does get frustrating if it's windy.

[DaveMonti]

Will there be ladders there?

 

[Bill W]

Will there be ladders there?

 

I've seen a couple of those guys but it's rare.  Most walk the bank.  I'll be happy once the lower bridge is replaced and I can cross over again.