re: The Fly Fishing Thread: Questions, pics, discussion all here

Went fly fishing for the first time this morning. Got several bites but couldn't get any hookups. Was on the little river in the great smoky mountains in elkmont. I only had a bass pro shops rod, reel and a couple of flies that were recommended to me. So, now that I'm hooked for the rest of my life. What gear should I buy next?

Also, when casting I did good getting the line going, but the fly always seemed to just "die" when I sent the line forward the last time and it would not travel the full distance. Any tips?

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8 wt? You trying to catch a whale?

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What? 8wt is my (and most others') go-to saltwater rod. Slot reds are fun on lighter weights but tough to keep alive in the summer if you don't plan on keeping them.


I had planned on fishing with my buddy today. He was too hungover, so I went solo. 4 species day. Jack, puppy drum, red, and tripletail. Had a sheepy follow but he remembered he was a sheepy at the last minute. Could've probably caught 25-30 reds today but the damn weather man. We can't get a break from this shite.

It's a 5 wt rod, using the tippet it came with so I'm assuming that it's a 5 wt tippet. Was using a size 12 fly.

Right now I'll stick to trout,until I figure out more of what I'm doing but I would like to try other things.

Some of the best advice anybody ever gave me when I was trying to learning how to cast a fly rod was to "do less."

who makes good waders?

The best ones I've found for the money are LL Bean Kinnebec waders. They're about $250. B/C it's Bean you know the warranty is like gold - they'll take anything back for just about any reason.

When compared with other waders they can be a tad on the baggy side in the legs but not so much that it's an issue unless you're just super skinny.

I've had mine for 2 years now with A LOT of time in them. I have them paired with Simm's Freestone boots. Two of my fishing buddies also have had them for that amoutn of time and they've been equally happy with theirs.

Note sure if they're $100 but the Orvis Clearwaters aren't bad for the price.

I have a pair of 15+ year old Simms gore-tex that I say are hard to beat.

I should look at getting some new waders, I'm the jackass in duck hunting waders in the river. What advantage do the boots provide over the boots that are attached to my duck hunting waders?

General question:

I've gone one time, got the itch, and have now picked up a 8.5', 5 wt, Cabela's Wind River Combo.

They didn't have the 9'... am I going to wish I had it?

If it matters, I'm in the Denver area and will be looking to fish in the mountains. I just wanted something halfway decent to learn on without breaking the bank.

8.5 feet is perfectly fine.