For all the folks wanting to get into fly fishing---

[snake doctor]

Here is an IN-STRUCT-SHUN-AL video for fly casting. Don't you drop a grand on a fancy fly fishing outfit and then show up to fish with this guy on the Yellowstone. He will chew you a new one.

Listen to this guy! Preach it brother!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rl0YjJMcKvY&feature=related

[Musicdoc]

I just knew he was going to fall in the water in his first segment.

[snake doctor]

It's all because of that dang Robert Redford and his oxymoron fly fishin' movie.

[4x4fishin]

Thanks for sharing, that was great. I've really been thinking about trying my hand at fly fishing. I live in a subdivision with several ponds and it would be alot of fun and a good place to learn. Keep the tips and sale info coming. I'd like to find a rod that will be decent for both the ponds and occasionaly the saltier ponds. Suggestions on weight etc?

[snake doctor]

Eight weight rod, reel, and fly line is the most commonly used, general purpose equipment for this area. If you are planning to exclusively fish for large reds (or other fish over 20 lbs.), then go to a 10 weight. If you find a good 6 or 7 weight outfit on sale then that would be fine too.

[4x4fishin]

Cool, thanks.

I'm thinking it will be mostly light stuff in the fresh ponds for now, and then maybe take it along as I get more confident for the salt water trips. Then if I really like it I can go heavier. From the little bit I've done I'm think a 6 or 7 might be the best bet so that I can practice on the perch etc by the house and just be a little undergunned if I catch a big red.

[Kurt_Loup]

The last time I was in Cabela's there were a few combos in the bargain cave barrel for less than $30. They had 4 piece 5 and 8 wts. Cheap way to get started to find out if you like fly fishing.

[bjuneau]

there are two 5 wt Cabelas three fork combos for $50 each. Both seemed to be in good condition.

[snake doctor]

They have all weights in 2 or 4 piece three forks rods available on the internet @ Cabelas for about $50. Can't go wrong on this one.

[yak-aholic]

Cabela's Three Forks Fly Rods (http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing-Sale/Fly-Fishing%7C/pc/109826280/c/109833480/Cabelas-Three-Forks-Fly-Rods/734547.uts?destination=%2Fbrowse.cmd%3FcategoryId%3D109833480%26WTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat104793480%253Bcat104721480&WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104793480%3Bcat104721480%3Bcat109833480)

[Musicdoc]

Cool, thanks.

I'm thinking it will be mostly light stuff in the fresh ponds for now, and then maybe take it along as I get more confident for the salt water trips. Then if I really like it I can go heavier. From the little bit I've done I'm think a 6 or 7 might be the best bet so that I can practice on the perch etc by the house and just be a little undergunned if I catch a big red.
Let me know if you get a 5 weight. I've got some poppers that I tied this year that have been "candy" to bream and bass. PM me and I'll send you some through the mail.

[4x4fishin]

I'm hoping to make a cabelas trip on the way down to fnt. If my wallet will allow I'll try to pick one up. I'll let ya know.

[yak-aholic]

Here are the same rods, but in a combo (http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/Rod-Reel-Combos/Fly-Fishing-Rod-Reel-Combos%7C/pc/104793480/c/104762880/sc/105571980/Cabelas-Three-ForksPrestige-Plus-Fly-Combo-with-Fly-Line/711520.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Ffishing-rod-reel-combos-fly-fishing-rod-reel-combos%2F_%2FN-1104843%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_105571980%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat104793480%253Bcat104762880&WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104793480%3Bcat104762880%3Bcat105571980). The reels will do fine for fresh water, but I'd get something a little better if you're going to be chasing reds at all.

[TidewateR]

Cool, thanks.

I'm thinking it will be mostly light stuff in the fresh ponds for now, and then maybe take it along as I get more confident for the salt water trips. Then if I really like it I can go heavier. From the little bit I've done I'm think a 6 or 7 might be the best bet so that I can practice on the perch etc by the house and just be a little undergunned if I catch a big red.

6 & 7 weights are fine. In a few weeks I'll start casting the 8wt more when the big winter fish invade the shallows...a 10wt is rediculous in my opinion.

[4x4fishin]

So.....

To my wife's delight I am now the lucky owner of a fantastic new fly rod and reel courtesy of the FNT 6 Raffle and the generous sponsorship from Bass pro.

The rod is 7'10" 8wt

I don't have the reel in front of me, but i've been assured it's a good match to the rod.

So now I need your input and help. What type/kind/weight/brand/ of line do I buy, and how do I go about attaching the terminal end and what kind of line to I use there. I'm so new to this but I'm anxious to get in the back yard and start practicing and then get on my pond. I've casted a little at several of the Orvis demos but never really looked at the hardware that close.

Help me get started.

Thanks

[Branch_Office]

Congrats Chris....that was a nice setup and it should serve you well!

[valvguy1]

So.....

To my wife's delight I am now the lucky owner of a fantastic new fly rod and reel courtesy of the FNT 6 Raffle and the generous sponsorship from Bass pro.

The rod is 7'10" 8wt

I don't have the reel in front of me, but i've been assured it's a good match to the rod.

So now I need your input and help. What type/kind/weight/brand/ of line do I buy, and how do I go about attaching the terminal end and what kind of line to I use there. I'm so new to this but I'm anxious to get in the back yard and start practicing and then get on my pond. I've casted a little at several of the Orvis demos but never really looked at the hardware that close.

Help me get started.

Thanks

Hey Chris. I would PM Catch or go to his website laflyfish.com, join (it's free) and post the question. I know Catch to be the owner of a very similar Ross rod. He can tell you what he would recommend for fly line on that particular rod for use with Reds and Bass.

Then you can join Red Stick Fly Fishing which is as generous as this group in sharing information. It's 25.00 a year for a family membership. They are having a 3 day trip to Leeville in mid November.

Regarding terminal attachment - some people like a Loop to Loop (I do) connection. Others use a nail know for the fly line to Leader connection. Leaders - well..... you need this specially designed leader which tapers from 30# Mono diameter to 2.2# kg blah - blah in gold plated blah blah, LOL. Actually, at the last meeting we had two guys demonstrate what they use. Mike Lafleur - from this club uses (3) 3' Sections of (I can't remember what brand) of mono each section is tied together with a surgeons knot. He goes 30#/20#/10#. Simple. The other gentlemen - Joe Kahler - uses Ande mono for his. He also uses 9' with a little different formula for the sections and blood knot for the connections

Most people use either a Improved Clinch or a Duncan Loop for the fly connection.

[4x4fishin]

Registered and posted thanks...

Mid novemeber I'll be IFA'ing

[snake doctor]

8 weight line typically goes with 8 weight rod/reel. I like the Rio Redfish taper (floating) line for shooting out a quick cast to a red. I used to try fancy tapered leaders, but now I go with about 6-8 feet of 15 lb clear mono as a leader. You don't need anything too fancy for success with reds, specks, etc.

[IFishInMySleep]

Since I managed to break my 8 weight at FNT, I recently found out that an over-lined 5 weight will do great for most saltwater fish. I use 6-weight line that allows you to load the rod with less line out for a quick cast at a trolling red.

For leader I use the setup described here. (http://www.flyfishlouisiana.com/flies_knots_leaders.htm)

The lighter weight rod also makes it extra fun when you hook a big red!

[Musicdoc]

If you live in Watson, I would suggest you get in touch with the guy who owns Green Trout Fly Shop in Denham Springs. http://stores.intuitwebsites.com/hstrial-GreenTroutFly/StoreFront.bok He could help you too. Be sure to call first because he fishes when he can so he may not be in the shop when you go over there. It's in the back of an antique shop on the main drag in Denham.

[Kurt_Loup]

If anyone wants a $25 off of $50 Orvis coupon, PM me your email address and I will forward the coupon.

[4x4fishin]

Larry at Green Trout got me all spooled up Friday afternoon. I was in the back yard Saturday afternoon. I actually got to the point that I was having to get in the center of the yard to avoid hitting the fence behind me. My yard is probably about 175' accross. I'm not sure I know what i'm doing when I do it right, but I certainly know what i'm doing when I do it wrong. I just keep trying to keep the 10 -2 thing in my head and work on the right cadence. I actually feel pretty good about being able to place a fly pretty close to where I want inside 40-50'. So, for alot of the ponds I like to chase reds in I feel like I can atleast begin to try. On my next non tournament trip I'll certainly be bringing my fly rod along and looking for my first red on the fly. I hope to get into the fresh water this week just to atleast add water to the practice equation. Thanks again for all of the encourgement and patience with the beginer questions. Also thanks again to Bass Pro for thier sponsorship, and to Larry at Green Trout Fly Shop for help getting this rod set up right.

[Musicdoc]

If anyone wants a $25 off of $50 Orvis coupon, PM me your email address and I will forward the coupon.
Same here. I got one for a guest in the mail today.