Anyone out there into fly fishing? I typically fish with a spinner rod/reel and am thinking about making the transition to fly rod/reel... any suggestions on where or what to start with? Trying to not break the bank and would like to find a setup under $100...

Bass Pro Shops has a starter set for around 60.00 I believe. Have twin boys, who fish salt water and fresh, got them the kits, and they love them.

jm,

I am trying to get back into ff as well. However I already have a rod and reel outfit. I would suggest cabelas and/or basspro for brand new combos. I also think you are gonna need to come up a little from the $100 or go with fleabay

just my .02

I checked out Cabelas and their starter sets range from 80-150... I might have to drive up and check out what they got in-store.... no bass pro shops here in NV... just thought I'd throw out the question here and see if anyone had some fly fishing experience and recommendations... oh, and no, I did not ask Ram... but I'm sure he'd approve of me posting this...

Says there's a Bass Pro in Las Vegas, is that anywhere close?

Kits starting at 54.99-59.00-69.00-89.00.

jm,

There is/was? a basspro not far from Henderson IIRC, was in there about 3yrs ago.

I picked up a combo, years ago, from Wal-Mart. I think I paid less than $50.

If you have no experience fly fishing this may be the route to take. It can be very frustrating, or it was for me. It took quite a while for me to get the technique and I'm still not very good.

Just my .02

Under a hundred? Sure, you can get a set up, but if you really want to get into it, you're going to spend some duckets. Ie get a custom rod vs one off the rack, get one with spinning guides vs snakes etc...

It's really not something you can just pick up unless you're a natural. Then you're going to get into tying flies, making your own rod... Can't tellyou how many thousands I've sunk into my and my GF stuff. But every damn time I'm on the river it's worth every stinkin penny.

By the way, what were you thinking of fishing for? It makes a difference as to what weight you need to purchase.

Bass Pro is the way to go.

If you are looking at fishing for anything under 3 pounds, I recommend a 5 weight rig (Line and rod) as the action is better. If you are going salt water, go for a heavier 7wt setup.

Check on Craigslist and see what you can pickup as well, I picked up a complete outfit for about $200 including 1500 flys, waders, 2 rods 2 reels and much more equipment and boxes from someone who was leaving the sport. They waders and vest will be going to my daughter as the lady who dumped them was thin.

Put an alert on craigslist or a css feed so you can hop on the items quickly (I responded in 15 min and picked them up a day later from her)

Good luck, once you start fly fishing, you won't do as much spinning (I was a spinning rod guy for 20 years) and I haven't touched my spin rod in 3 years.

#5 Vegas is 7 hour drive from here... Nevada is a big damn state...

#8 I'm trying to stay away from Walmart junk as I want something to be usable for a while until I grow (read $$$) for a nicer set up if I choose to keep with it

#9 I'm well aware of costs... I've been researching for a little while. Like cigars, liquor and hunting... fishing is another almost-end-in-divorce kind of hobby. BTW, I'll be fishing for trout on rivers and creeks/streams... smallest around 1# upwards to 6-7#

#11 Thanks for the info... I'll check out craigslist... might have to look into neighboring Sacramento as Reno's doesn't get much action.

simmons,

They have starter kits at ******'s Sporting Goods stores and at Gander and Mountain stores to if they are near you in Nevada.

G&M has a catalog too as do Cabela's and Bass Pro has an online site.

Sometimes you actually have to see the product first hand though. I always go to specialty shops and get good info then buy elsewhere cheaper.

Watch for "Sportsmen" shows at convention centers and farm show arenas, they are also good to visit for info and usually occur this time of year when it's too cold to fish.

Look into some local fly fishing groups. Take a few lessons if you haven't. A lot of those groups, (ours is the WCFF - White Clay Fly Fishers) are really great at getting you started and you could pick up some equipment from them much cheaper. Take a few trips with them and most guys will let you borrow a set up to see what you like.

Don't make casting a fly more difficult than it really is.....A lot of backyard practice and you'll be rolling fly up under overhanging braches before you know.

Start with short casts and gradually let out line as you get better

#14... I'll check that out... any good websites with adequate information for noobs?

Where are you located? I'll give a shout to our secretary and see if there's any groups listed with Trout Unlimited in your area.

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=fly+fishing+casting&search_type=&aq=3&oq=fly+fi

#17... Reno/Carson City, NV... I'll dig around as well.

#18... It sure looks to be an interesting journey...

I was in the same boat as you several years ago.

I picked up a combo (6wt) from Cabelas for around $150. They had cheaper setups; I can't quite remember the criteria I used in selecting the rod/reel; but I typically research purchases so maybe I came across some good reviews or something.

I planned on fishing streams, but mostly I just go down to my pond and catch bluegills, bass, and trout (when I have some stocked).

It is more technically demanding than lure/bait casting.........so it is more fun.

Tell ya what though.......it SUCKS in the wind.

Also you'll need to bone up on knots line/leader and leader/tippet connections.