Thinking of trying Fly Fishing

[fishemirates]

Hi Guys & Girls,

I am thinking of trying sea fly fishing here in the United Arab Emirates. As the weather is more or less warm all year round and the UV is extrememly high I know I will need a different line but can anybody point me in the right direction??

As a beginner I don't want to spend a fortune on tackle (rods, reels, terminal etc) but can somebody give me a clue on which is the best of the mid range tackle to buy??

Tight Lines,

Ian Harper (fishemirates)

[Portland Pirate]

Hi Ian.

I have done a bit of Salt Water Fly Fishing, both abroad and in the UK. If there is one thing I can recommend, it is buy the best fly line that you can afford. Because you are fishing in warm water buy a warm water line. Cold water lines go too limp when they are warmed up. A line like the Courtland warm salt water range is likely to set you back around £35 - £40

You will need a 9 weight fly rod to get the large flies out. As you are likely to encounter some decent fish, like Barracuda you will need a fly reel with a drag. I can thoroughly recommend the Airflo T7 costing around £90. Not exactly cheep, but not stupid money either.
you can of course spend less than this and get yourself a set up, but as with everything, you get what you pay for.

[fishemirates]

Thanks Portland Pirate,

I know I want an 8/9 wt rod but can you recommend a good make. As you can imagine fly fishing is very (virtually) non existant here in the UAE so I will have to buy over the net so would like to try and buy all from the same place (www.tackledirect.com) are very good and have used them before. But not too sure about their fly equipment :)

[Vagabond]

I use a 5-piece #9 Redington travel rod. Not cheap. but with some big toothy critturs out there in warm water you need to be prepared with a decent rod. The rod comes in a tube, so it is easy to put in a holdall for air travel.

I too use a T7 reel and have landed barracuda, trevally and tarpon - all in excess of 20 lb - with it.

White, silver, blue and green flies work best - have never found flies with red or orange in them much good for the aforementioned fish. ....and you cannot retrieve those flies too fast!

[Portland Pirate]

Hi Ian.

All I can say is that any advice Vagabond can give is good advice. He is a well travelled fishermen and obviously has a lot of experience. I have to admit I know nothing about the Redington rod that he owns. I have a 4 piece Killwell Glory that I bought in New Zealand a few years ago. Lovely rod.
If you don't need to worry about it being 4 or 5pc then you have a lot of choices. Like my reels, I like BVG-Airflo rods. You can get both from Fishtec http://www.fishtec.co.uk/

To be quite honest there are so many decent rods to choose from. G.Loomis, Scierra, Airflo to name but a few. Courtland also make good rods.

[Vagabond]

Originally Posted by Portland Pirate

Hi Ian.

I know nothing about the Redington rod that he owns.

Have a look here - at their middle range, the CPS.

http://fly-fishing-tackle.co.uk/acat...gton_Rods.html

In addition to my #9 I also have a Redington seven-piece #12 for REALLY big game!

For bonefish I use a Grey's Missionary five-piece#6 travel rod

...but back home, for all my freshwater fly fishing I still use cane or greenheart!

[fishemirates]

Hey Portland Pirate & Vagabond,

Some fantastic advice .... Thank you both very much

I am going to go and look at both sites now and maybe place an order today and hopefully get out and get some

[Portland Pirate]

Keep us posted on how you get on.

[fishemirates]

Hey Portland Pirate & Vagabond,

Found a guy who sells quality Fly fishing gear locally so going to buy a TFO Professional rod 9# and a Shilton CL 6 reel today ..... can't wait to try them out :-)

[Portland Pirate]

I look forward to hearing how you get on.