Newbie to fly fishing

[flounder_al]

I am a newbie to fly fishing as i normally spend most of my time sea fishing. But as i am in Scotland now i thought i would give it a go and the fact that my uncle is letting me fish the loch for free

Can anyone recommend an outfit that includes rod, reel and line etc for about £100?

[Miles]

Hello Flounder Al

Welcome to the fly fishing area and also to (attempting) to catching fish with bits of feather and fluff !

I would advise people to try a rod before buying, but this isn't always possible. Some of the larger angling shops have somewhere for a trial cast, but since a clear 40-50 metres is needed (for the front and back cast), it isn't always possible. The Game Fair and (maybe some other similar events) often have an area for trying before buying.

I think Glasgow Angling sell various outfits and you often do get a good deal when buying a retailer's recommended kit. Sometimes though, you might get one part of the deal which doesn't suit you - it might then spoil the experience of fishing with that particular set-up.

Its always a bit difficult trying to recommend a particular brand or range to someone, because we're all different; casting style and the 'action' of rod that suits you best is a personal thing. The Greys GRX range seems to have a good reputation, but a 10 foot 6/7 weight is available for about £100 for just the rod.

A while ago I fished with a Lureflash Quattro, I think about 60 quid, which was pretty good and also one of Snowbee’s cheaper rods (Classic ?) (which was excellent), I think about the same money. There are brands such as Ron Thompson, who sell rods for a bit less, but I can’t comment, not having used one.

Many fly anglers don’t really use the reel for much more than storing line, so this is one area where you can cut costs, but, my concern would be that it was from a better known manufacturer, so that you can get additional spools at a later date. Many people used to start out with a ‘Rimfly’ by Leeda/BFR (and there is now a large arbour version I think), but since this manufacturer sold out to a Chinese company I’ve heard that there are some difficulties in getting hold of them. I’ve seen them for about 20 quid though. I’ve had a couple of the ‘Dragonfly’ versions by the same company and they’ve been fine. My mate has used Rimflys for years – his must be nearly 20 years old and they’re still working ok.

I guess you’ll be going for a floating line, before other types. (However, if I was only going to buy one line I’d probably get a floating line with a sink tip.) Weight Forward (WF) profiles are easier to cast with than Double Taper (DT), and are pretty much universal now anyway. I’ve been recommended Lureflash Mamba, Scientific Anglers’ original Aircel and Cortland Fairplay as good budget lines in the past, I think all can be had for about £20.

I hope this has been some help. If you’re new to fly fishing there are some excellent introduction and ‘how to’ posts by ‘Old Smoothound’ on this site, who for advice and experience can’t be beaten really.

Good luck and good fishing.

[A fluff chucker]

Hi Flounder Al,

I suggest a good starter outfit for stillwater fishing is a Ron Thompson Axellerator IM7 a 10 footer no 7.An Okuma airframe reel and spare spool.A Floating no7 line and a sinking no7 line with braid backing etc.

I personally have caught loads of trout with just such an outfit and it seems the whole kit rod, reel,spare spool, 2 lines + backing for pennies under £100 at Mikes tackle shop scroll down the page to the fifth item.

If you search web etc may get it cheaper? Do check that the 'airframe' reel that Mikes is offering is the Okuma - thats a good one.

Top of the range fly rods £600+ etc need to have an experienced fly caster using them. This outfit I've suggested really works and a little forgiving of learning mistakes. I've just taught somebody else to fly fish using the outfit I've suggested - they're very happy with it and catching loads of trout!

Hope this helps.

[FlyingFox]

IM sorry to butt in but id just like to say i know nothing about fly fishing but them two replys have some great info in! weldone chaps its good to see the forum is still pumping out great info for all areas of fishing!

Great reading

Cheers

Ollie.

[Old Smoothound]

Nice bit of info Miles and Fluff.

Nothing I can add to it really. But if buying a rod for the first time, do try one before you buy it, to see if the action suits you. If your local tackle shop does not have try and buy facilities then go to a few put and take lakes and talk to fly fishermen, they will ususally tell you whats a good or bad rod/action and they may let you have a go on theirs.

I do it all the time. Suffice to say, if you are going to fish rivers and not lakes then you will need a different kind of outfit. a 5 wieght is a good starting point, with a wiegth forward or double taper line to suit.

If you do go ahead...welcome to the light side

Have fun.........

[flounder_al]

As i said i do have access to a private loch to fish but the club i would become a member of has discounted rights/prices for fishing on the rivers don and spey. So really i would need a rod that fishes rivers and the occasional trout farm.

[A fluff chucker]

Originally Posted by flounder_al

As i said i do have access to a private loch to fish but the club i would become a member of has discounted rights/prices for fishing on the rivers don and spey. So really i would need a rod that fishes rivers and the occasional trout farm.

I think Spey & Don are biggish rivers so probably be alright with a 7 weight rod/lines etc. The finer 4 or 5 weights very good for finer presentation; particularly on small rivers and streams, but not much good for a loch. IMHO.

In the trout farm - don't worry - they'll take any bl**dy thing - the more the splash, the more they think they're being fed

[flounder_al]

Thanks for your help everyone. I am starting to realise that it is a really big hobby to take up and one that has loads of variables.

I am now starting to look at rods and combos to get me started. As said above the Ron Thompson Axellerator Trout kit from GAC looks a good buy. I am also looking at a Diawa Whisker 9' 6" 6-8 rod. Are they any good or should i hold out for the RT combo?

I am itching to get started as the River Spey is only over the hill from me and also Glen Rothes trout fishery is also just 5 mins down the road.

Thanks again for all your help. Its great to get advice from people.

[A fluff chucker]

Glad to see you're getting excited - fluffing can be another very rewarding part of fishing. You'll find it's great to wander the loch's and rivers, casting here and casting there; and no heavy gear to carry - real enjoyment. You've got some good waters there

I can't comment on the Diawa rod - myself and Doreen are both using the RT Axellerator rods at the moment with the Okuma Airframe reels and very very impressed/satisfied as giving excellent value for money.

The Okuma lightweight large arbour reel has a definite advantage. When a fish takes you can actually spin any line out back onto the reel by flicking the outer rim. This enables the recovery of the loose line quickly without having to wind it in.

[Miles]

Sounds like you're in a fantastic location Flounder Al.

Don't know whether to go for Rocket Ron or Dangerous Daiwa either, both will most likely catch fish (with a line, leader and fly added of course !). Is it possible to have a look and feel before buying ? If its not possible to have a cast and compare, maybe go on how the handle 'feels'. I'd think you'll be spending quite a bit of time hand in hand with it in the next few months, so buy the one that feels comfy.

Best of luck and look forward to hearing about your first fly caught trout with the new kit.