Fly fishing: your first rod

I am convinced that one thing that keeps many beginners from joining in the fun of fly rod fishing is trying to get that first outfit. It seems that there are a million choices out there, so let me see if I can maybe cut through some of the fog and help you out.

First of all, your new rod will almost certainly be made of graphite. If you want to get one made of split bamboo, my favorite material, you certainly can, and a little shopping around can unearth bamboo rods not a lot more expensive than some of the better graphites. On the other hand, you can get beginners outfits in graphite for around a hundred bucks and this will have almost everything you need, lacking only leaders and flies. Your money, your choice.

You probably won't have a lot of choice on your rods "action". This, to me, is the most confusing aspect of fly rods, and the one that makes the least amount of sense. Best advice I can give you here, is to try to get some basic casting instruction before buying a rod, and try out several at the tackle shop. Most shops will let you do this. Basic fly casting can be self taught in a couple of hours, and if you know someone who can act as an instructor, you can cut this down to less than half. If you find yourself buying mail order, buy from a reputable company, (L.L. Bean and Cabela's both offer good beginner outfits and basic rods at reasonable prices, for example) and don't worry about it overmuch. As for length, your first rod should be eight to eight and a half feet long. Forget the shorter six and seven foot rods for now. Longer rods handle line better, make longer casts, although this may not always be necssary, deal with wind better, and in a boat, help keep your line above your partners head, a really good idea. All else being equal, longer rods are generally easier to use.

One thing you need to give some thought to, is line weight. Fly rods are rated according to what weight (size) line they use, from #1 (lightest) to #12 (heaviest). Choosing which one you need can be as easy as falling off the proverbial log, or as complicated as the latest tax laws. If you are fishing ONLY for panfish, get yourself a size four or five weight outfit. If ONLY for trout, a five or six, and if ONLY bass, you'll want a seven or eight weight. You noticed, I'm sure, that there is some overlap. In fact, with a six weight you are not really "overgunned" for panfish, and will handle most bass you hook, and if you decide to use an eight weight for panfish and a three for bass, then I am all for you. The idea is to have fun, after all. But as a rule, matching your tackle to the fish you are after will result in more enjoyment. What if you want just ONE fly rod for all of it? To be honest, I am not a big fan of "all-around" anything, since I think it is usually the result of too many compromises, but in that case I would suggest getting a seven weight outfit. although you can make a pretty good case for a six weight as well. I would rather find myself using a rig that is a bit too heavy, than one that is a bit too light. The longer you fight a fish, the less chance that fish has to survive if released. I release the vast majority of my fish, so I would rathe use a bit heavier tackle so I can get the fish in quickly and turn it loose with as little stress on it as possible. My absolute favorite fly rod is a five weight, but if I had to use one rod for all my fishing,(God Forbid), it would be a seven.

You are going to need a selection of leaders to attach to the end of your fly line. Stay with fly fishing, and you will more than likely wind up tying your own leaders (and flies) but for now, don't worry about it. Tapered leaders, and I have never seen anything else for sale, usually come two or three to a pack. Get a couple of packs, roughly the same length as your rod, with a tip (or tippet) test of about six pounds. If you are exclusively fishing for trout or panfish, you can go down to four pound tippets, or if for bass, up to a ten pound, but keep it simple as possible at first. Remember, learn first, then you can worry about refining your tackle.

You are also going to need a reel. This is reel simple, (pardon the lousy pun.) Buy an inexpensive "single action" type reel. If it has interchangeable spools, and most do,( although finding the extra spools can be tricky) so much the better. You don't need that feature right now, but you will find it handy sooner or later. All reel the itself is going to be doing for you, at this stage of your fly fishing career, is providing a storage area for your line.

What flies you need are going to be up to you. Where you fish and what you fish for, in other words. Talk with your tackle dealer and other area fly fishermen to get some recommendations. Briefly, however, if you are after trout, it is hard to go wrong with a selection of Adams dry flies, in assorted sizes, panfish usually love those rubber crickets, small popping bugs and black ants, bass like the small and medium poppers. A fly called the Wooly Worm will take just about anything.

Don't let anyone tell you fly fishing is hard. You can, with no help at all, take your rigged up rod and a fly fishing book into your back yard, and as I mentioned earlier, be casting well enough to go fishing in a couple of hours. On the other hand, you won't master fly fishing in a lifetime. And once you take your first fish with the long rod, YOU will be the one hooked. Good luck and see you on the streams....