Christmas came a little early!

[HAEDEN]

I got a TFO 8/9 nxt rod/reel combo as a gift and don't have a clue where to start. Any suggestions on a good book would be great and of course any other pointers would be awesome. Thanx

[fishtaco]

I don't have a book to recommend, but I would browse youtube for anything by Mel Krieger, Lefty Kreh, Joan Wulff, etc.

[yak-aholic]

Read through this post. There are a couple good books mentioned. I think one is Fly Fishing the Louisiana Coast.

http://www.bckfc.org/showthread.php?6415-Fly-fishing-How-do-you-actually-fish

[seeinspots]

Take lessons. Just like skiing. Don't listen to the guy that says "nawh, just get your gear on and give it a whack". You'll end up frustrated. That said, Youtube can be helpful.

[Knot Reelistic]

Does Pete Cooper still run guided trips, if so it would be well worth it IMO

[Lane Pelissier]

I would strongly recommend getting involved with your local club, The New Orleans Fly Fishers. There you will be able to get advise and basic instruction from folks that have been involved with fly fishing for many many years. I have been fly fishing for over 20 years but it wasn't until I got hooked up with a club and proper instruction that my skills truly developed at a quick rate. Also the Red Stick Fly Fishers are putting on their Fly-Fishing 101 class on Jan 21st.

Fly Fishing 101 Saturday, January 21, 2012 8:30am - 2:30pm LDWF Waddill Education Center 4142 N. Flannery Rd., Baton Rouge, LA Hosted by the Red Stick Fly Fishers, this workshop consists of four 1-hour hands-on sessions covering basics of fly fishing: - overview of fly fishing, tackle and terminology - leaders and knots - fly casting - fly tying Lunch, refreshments, handouts are all included. This workshop is open to everyone. Cost is free for RSFF members, full-time students, and active military and their immediate family members. Cost is $25 for non-members and includes their immediate family members (goes toward 1-year membership in RSFF). Seats are limited to 40 students, so pre-registration is required. For more info, contact RSFF VP Dan Weber at (225) 767-2405 or email dweberg@aol.com -or- go to www.rsff.org and click on "FLY FISHING 101" link.

On Feb 25th my club, the Acadiana Fly Rodders, will host our annual conclave in Lafayette. Our presenters this year are, Ron Begnaud, Pete Cooper Jr., Cameron Mortensen, Keith Richard MCI, and numerous regional fly tyers. Ron will be talking about sight fishing for redfish in SW Louisiana. Pete will give a talk about the evolution of saltwater fly fishing in Louisiana. Cameron is a glass fly rod fanatic and will be doing a presentation on fiberglass fly rods. Keith is a FFF Maser Casting Instructor and will be doing some casting instruction.


As you can see with just these two events there is ample opportunity to learn.

Lane Pelissier
President, Acadiana Fly Rodders
Vermilion Bay Rod Company

[HAEDEN]

Thank you all for the information. Just checked NOFF and they have no more meetings till next year so I am going to take a ride to uptown angler today. Luckily, I have a few $75 coupons to spend. I think I will check out their book selection and pick up any info I can.

Lane thank you for the club info. I plan on hitting the 101 class for sure and possibly making the trip to lafayette if I can.

[HAEDEN]

Well, I picked up orvis's guide to beginning saltwater fly fishing and also ordered pete cooper book online. Hopefully that will keep me busy for a while. I plan on taking a casting lesson at uptown angler or taking the class at orvis, but they only have that class on saturday which is a normal work day for me. Again thanx for the help!

[Catch]

Haeden, you've made a wise decision to take advantage of all opportunities available. Too often I hear newbies tell me, "I read Pete Cooper's book, and I read your column in Louisiana Sportsman, but I still feel lost". Know that feeling... it was me about 25 years ago! I didn't have nearly the resources available today. In addition to books, videos, internet and Youtube, there's the fly shops now (Uptown Angler and Orvis), fly fishing clubs in New Orleans, Mandeville, Houma, Lafayette, Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, Natchitoches, Shreveport, Monroe. Also these "conclaves" like the one that Acadiana Fly Rodders has on February 25, and the Red Stick Fly Fishers have on March 3. The Lake Charles and Natchitoches clubs also have conclaves later this spring. Houston club also has one on February 4 featuring Lefty Kreh, one of the pioneers of saltwater fly fishing. There's also that Fly Fishing 101 workshop, and several other regional events and classes, including Keith Richard's "The Camp Fly Fishing School" which I highly recommend for anyone looking to greatly improve their basic casting skills. Some of these events are free, some are low cost... I think The Camp school is the most expensive activity at $135 for the day, and even that is a bargain compared to the schools up north that charge $300 or more! And they have the best instructors in the country, IMHO.

The more of these resources you take advantage of, and learn from, the faster you will succeed in catching more and bigger fish on fly rod. And once you do, it'll change your life (it did mine!)

[brian22]

....snip.... including Keith Richard's "The Camp Fly Fishing School" which I highly recommend for anyone looking to greatly improve their basic casting skills. ....snip....

+100 to this. I took his basic class earlier this year and it was WELL worth the cost. It also includes breakfast and lunch cooked up by Mr. Richard's wife, deeelish! Keith is a wonderful instructor(this is coming from an ex-military instructor), very patient and can see at a glance exactly what's going on with your casting/technique. The thing I liked the most about his class was that he canvassed the students to see what type of fly fishing they intended to do the most(in my case, salt), and tailored his lessons accordingly. For example, knowing I was going to be fly fishing in the marsh 90% of the time he taught me the fundamentals of the Belgian cast, which is a great technique designed to cut through wind better than a traditional cast. Now if I could just catch a fish on fly that'd be great.

I've also read Pete Cooper's book, "Fly Fishing the LA Coast". Well written and entertaining, would buy again.

[HAEDEN]

Well, I finished my first book, orvis beginning saltwater fly fishing guide, and holy japanese carp Bill Dance. There is so much information regarding casting, backing,line,reels ,rods, etc. The list never ends.

So I think I have the bug. I started reading Pete Cooper's book Fly Fishing The LA Coast this week and it is pretty impressive. After reading all of this info I must admit I felt a little apprehensive about picking up a fly rod, So yesterday I took my first casting lesson with Jim at uptown angler. We walked down the street to a local park and had a blast. It was a little windy but I learned the basics and Jim is my type of guy(patient). Anyhow, after the lesson I proceeded to spend $200 in miscellaneous supplies, but no that wasn't the end of the day. I went home and lit up a nice stogie and played with my new toy.

I really can't wait to wet my line for the first time! I just hope I have the patience? By the way I casted so much yesterday I am presently icing my back ;)

[Lane Pelissier]

One thing that Keith Richard always says, don't practice for too long. Keep it down to 15-30 min. Don't injure yourself in all your excitement. Once you get your practice in, your body will get used to it and you will be able to cast longer on those fishing days. There is a lot of information so don't overwhelm yourself. Keep it simple all that other stuff will come in time.

Lane

[HAEDEN]

Jim at uptown angler kept it really simple which helped me understand much better and he also recommended OJT rather than practicing too much. I just got a little ahead of myself but no worrries the back is much better today. I was hoping to make it out today but work called me ins o for know i guess I will keep my practice sessions to a minimum. Thanks for the advice Lane.