Fly Fishing

[Wazukie]

Any fishermen give some advice on a good set up for a beginner?  I do have some custom fly rods that were my father in laws, but no reels or gear.  Im looking for a decent budget minded rod/reel combo or just a reel.  Any advice appreciated.

[Flyfisher9]

Where and what are you fishing for? What kind of rods do you have ? 

[crazywednesday]

Here is my *censored*ty advice. I taught myself from a book how to fly fish 25+ years ago. I started with the cheapest of rods. Since then I have had custom rods built from the very best blanks. The funny thing is they all catch fish. I probably have caught as many fish on that first rod as I have in the last 24 years. Its all about how often you go. I would start with something inexpensive, but not cheap. Fly fishing is a rabbit hole that eats money and I have loved every minute of it.

[Wazukie]

So first off, I'll be targeting trout out of a boat or float tube in a lake.  The rods that I have are mostly custom from probably the 70's to 80's pic's below

#1 Marked "Fisher Graphite"
#2 Orvis given to my F-i-L for his work in TU and NW Salmon & Steelhead Counsel
#3 A Fenwick made for TU given again to my F-I-L
#4 & 5  Customs made by Walt Flint out of Browns Point, WA (Tacoma)

The last one is the reel that is on the Fisher Graphite

Thanks for for any advice

[Yelper Guy]

That Pflueger Medalist reel will work just fine.
Looks like you're good to go.

[2MANY]

May you get into the backing frequently.

[simondude]

The cabelas Lsi is a decent cheap rod and reel combo.

[JL]

If you're fishing ponds/lakes to start out, you'll be better off with a more modern graphite/faster action rod. Everything you shared will fish but I'm telling you, do yourself a favor and get a slightly more modern graphite rod to start out with. 9' 5wt is the general standard for trout/bass. If you stick w/ it you'll come to appreciate the rods you've shared, their actions, etc... There are sooooo many adequate and barely used 9' 5 weights out there to be had on the cheap. Feel free to pm.

[jackelope]

If you're going to be fishing trout, you're going to want to use the 2nd rod.  The 8-9wt rod is a salmon/bigger fish type rod.

The Pfleuger will work. Get some new line and backing. A decent middle of the road weight forward floating 6 weight(per the labeling on the rod) line will cover lots of fishing in this state.

If you want to buy new, I like Redington stuff to keep the budget in mind.

https://www.cabelas.com/product/REDINGTON-TOPO-II-OUTFIT/2660901.uts?slotId=3

There are others based on your budget, but that looks like a decent one. I like the medium-fast action rod for a newbie.

If you're going to buy a rod, I'd buy a 9' rod for use in the float tube. That Fenwick would probably work, but you'll do better with a longer rod sitting low in the water in a tube.

[Wazukie]

Ya, I kinda figured most of his gear was Salmon/Steelhead because that is what he fished.  He was President of the NW salmon steelhead counsel for a few years back in the 80's.

[3nails]

 Hop into the backyard and start practicing. I wouldn't recommend going straight to the lake. Slap a cheap fly onto a 9' tippet with that 6 wt and learn how to lay it out gently in the lawn. Once you get good enough at that while standing learn how to do that while sitting on a folding chair. You'll be surprised how much harder that is. Watch some YouTube videos on casting rhythm too.

[Brushcrawler]

If you get frustrated learning to cast, just drag a woolly bugger around the lake. You will catch fish.

[2MANY]

Ya, I kinda figured most of his gear was Salmon/Steelhead because that is what he fished.  He was President of the NW salmon steelhead counsel for a few years back in the 80's.

Wow congrats to him.
He lived during a great time to fish steelhead.
Curious if I knew him.
RIP

[Pinetar]

If you're going to be fishing trout, you're going to want to use the 2nd rod.  The 8-9wt rod is a salmon/bigger fish type rod.

The Pfleuger will work. Get some new line and backing. A decent middle of the road weight forward floating 6 weight(per the labeling on the rod) line will cover lots of fishing in this state.

If you want to buy new, I like Redington stuff to keep the budget in mind.

https://www.cabelas.com/product/REDINGTON-TOPO-II-OUTFIT/2660901.uts?slotId=3

There are others based on your budget, but that looks like a decent one. I like the medium-fast action rod for a newbie.

If you're going to buy a rod, I'd buy a 9' rod for use in the float tube. That Fenwick would probably work, but you'll do better with a longer rod sitting low in the water in a tube.

  I've been in the business for close to forty years, great advise from Jackelope

[Shoofly09]

Doesn't get mentioned enough, but wear eye protection.....