Getting into fly fishing - questions

[Corbet]

My son Bridger wants to learn fly fishing this summer and just joined the high school club. He needs to get a rig set up and my knowledge is limited to spin casting gear. He will be spending his own hard earned money. I’m looking for some advice to pass on. I don’t want him to buy a very entry level set up only to regret it and then buy new gear in 6 months. So anything you can share is appreciated. If you have some gear that fits this bill collecting dust let me know.

 

[RayRay27]

My son Bridger wants to learn fly fishing this summer and just joined the high school club. He needs to get a rig set up and my knowledge is limited to spin casting gear. He will be spending his own hard earned money. I’m looking for some advice to pass on. I don’t want him to buy a very entry level set up only to regret it and then buy new gear in 6 months. So anything you can share is appreciated. If you have some gear that fits this bill collecting dust let me know.

Hey Corbet, im not a expert fly guy. Spent most my life on spinning rods but several years ago I bought a moderately cheap fly rod package set up through Amazon. It came with the 9ft 5-6wt rod, reel with line and leader plus a bunch of flies. Think I paid 150 bucks or so back then. I ended up replacing the rod and line with upgrades a few years ago. I've had great success so far fishing from lake banks.

I spent most my time watching YouTube videos to understand the different techniques, overhead, roll, brushy then went down to the park to practice casting. It's helpful to have a large unobstructed area to practice casting. The long cast is easier then the short stuff. The short stuff really takes time, patience and lots of practice because typically you'll be in tight brush or tree'd areas where you can get hung up easily.

Without making this too long, me personally I would start off with something cheaper then upgrade parts i.e. reel, line, later as he gets better. Rods are a more difficult thing to figure out and can get super expensive. Similar to spinning rods, you have all sorts of lengths and weights for types of fishing. I have found, based on my experience and research, the 9ft, 5-6wt is a great starter rod for all Colorado fishing. You can get longer, 10 + rods for nymph fishing or saltwater but 9ft is great all around.

I always say the equipment is only as good as the person using it. Going cheaper isn't always a bad thing in the long run.

 

[Trapper50cal]

Corbet, I wanted to confirm that I had the name right before suggesting...

TFO has a good "EntryLevel+" Rod and reel combo...

Dispatch Kit - Temple Fork Outfitters

The TFO Dispatch is a ready-to-fish fly rod and reel kit designed to help new anglers build skill and confidence with smooth, forgiving performance.

tforods.com

or the 5 weight version of this:

Pilot Kit - Temple Fork Outfitters

The TFO Pilot is a ready-to-fish fly rod and reel kit designed for beginners. Simple, durable, and perfect for learning casting fundamentals.

tforods.com

4 or 5 weight is good for this region, the 5 WT might be overkill on tiny streams but can handle
the bigger fish on the Animas, the San Juan, etc.

You don't want too light of a rod if the possibility of 20"+ trout exists...you'll tucker them out too much.

5 weight has been my go-to down here since the 90's but I break out the 3 weight for small creeks.

Oh, and...Flurocarbon is the best material for tippet (tied to the end of the leader) because
it's super strong and nearly invisible in water.

Another pro-tip...buy flies at Walmart instead of the flyshops (way cheaper), just hit them with some
head cement to make them last longer.

 

[AlpineAccess]

TFO is a good suggestion IMO! Everyone has a preference - so I only share my experience with rigs I own and use.

I'd shop used TFO Lefty Kreh 4/5 setups on eBay, often they will come with a matched reel. I have two of the LK 4/5s I bought used as loaner rigs and to leave in the truck and I smile every time I cast them - they are way better than the price point. If he gets the bug he can upgrade and have a great backup setup!

Btw the fly fishing show is in Denver Friday -Sunday out by the airport.

 

[FJCDan]

Wish I could give you some good info, but I have been out of the fly fishing scene for almost 40 years. I loved it after spending 3 summers backpacking in the mountain west. Man we ate a lot fish, rainbow, cut throut, and of course brookies. The thrill of catching a nice sized trout on very light line is amazing.

 

[KC Masterpiece]

Orvis still has lifetime warranties on their rods, even if they break when you take a tumble. Highly recommend them.

I agree a 5 wt is a perfect all rounder for Colorado.

I used to fish every weekend and then had all of my gear stolen and stopped for a few years. Its an expensive sport to get back into. Amber finally got into it last summer and is hooked!

 

[Cocarlisle]

Not a pro but 40 years of fly fishing
You don’t need expensive stuff

Just get something used and in my opinion, a five weight rod and reel would do about everything. Have a local shop set him up with a line.

I don’t necessarily have one I would recommend seems like a lot of them generated some sort of I’m better than you attitude so maybe somebody else here does

I think the most important is a decent set of waiters nothing worse than having your body wet because you bought something that is leaking

The cast is going to be the most important thing to learn obviously YouTube but basically slow 10 to 2 o’clock and watch your backcast.

In my opinion, the easiest lures to start with are streamers like a bead head woolly bugger
You can pretty much cast anywhere in the river and not worry about your float and drag it in about four or 5 inches a time. Those seem to work pretty decent just about everywhere. Streams rivers, lakes, you name it.

I used a cheap Pfluger medalist reel for probally 20 years . It was free my dad and I found it on top of the world campground when I was about 10 years old I still remember that day and still have that real as a spare.

If he wants to spend a little bit more something around $100 for like a Reddington would be absolutely plenty. No need to break the bank on a lot of that stuff in my opinion

I I’m sure he’ll learn quite a bit from the club

 

[Lastresort576]

id personally look for used gear and theres lots of it on marketplace.

TFO, orvis, old fiberglass Fenwick,.

and to add a suggestion on the cast practicing, have him hold a newpaper/magazine under his armpit while hes practicing. And definitely use store bought flies as hes learning vs old family heirloom tied flies. Sadly, its been a long time since ive gone.