Fly Rod Advice

[rookhawk]

I love trout, but If it were me I don't think I would put trout in that pond. They aren't fun to catch if they are so hot they are holed up on the bottom of the pond, waiting to expire.

For the same money, I would add sustainable, warm water tolerant species to the pond that are great fun to catch on a fly rod.

Small mouth bass, red ear sunfish, crappie, a couple of pike or muskie for predator fish, some blue catfish which are excellent game fish and wonderful to eat, etc.

The other thing I would keep an eye out for are Herons, Cranes, Egrets pounding your pond. Overhead cover (matts) can protect your small fish from bird predation. They are damned efficient hunters and you need to keep your fish away from the shores.

 

[NDWoods]

Franco please contact the good folks over at Tailwaters Fly Fishing in Dallas. You and your wife could do a Saturday morning class together and come away with great confidence in what you are buying and why. It would be a great gift for your wife.

I had them come to one of my "Lunch and Learn" sessions at our office last summer and it created a lot of interest in fly fishing. They are all wonderful people.

Edit to add: Depending on where you are in East Texas, you and the wife can spend a day with me at my 5 acre pond about 15 minutes from Athens that is loaded with bluegill and bass that are a blast on the fly and nymphs. It is super clean for fly fishing with about 150 yds of slow gradual hard bottom on one side that is perfect for wade fishing if you want to get in the water.

 

[rookhawk]

The most important first cast your wife can learn is a roll cast. It is the most common cast you'll use on your pond. Fly fishing instructors teach backwards, doing an overhead cast first, then with a single and double haul. Ten years of practice later, you're maybe catching a couple fish.

But teach someone a roll cast? They are catching fish that morning and they aren't losing flies every thirty seconds.

 

[Franco]

I love trout, but If it were me I don't think I would put trout in that pond. They aren't fun to catch if they are so hot they are holed up on the bottom of the pond, waiting to expire.

For the same money, I would add sustainable, warm water tolerant species to the pond that are great fun to catch on a fly rod.

Small mouth bass, red ear sunfish, crappie, a couple of pike or muskie for predator fish, some blue catfish which are excellent game fish and wonderful to eat, etc.

The other thing I would keep an eye out for are Herons, Cranes, Egrets pounding your pond. Overhead cover (matts) can protect your small fish from bird predation. They are damned efficient hunters and you need to keep your fish away from the shores.

Point taken. While I certainly don't disagree with your observation and comments, and welcome your advice; allow me to offer a different perspective which might provide some insight into this endeavor.

Since 2018 when I first entertained the idea of shooting, hunting, safaris, etc, my wife has stood by while I purchased 6 Heyms, 7 Hill Country Rifles, 5 shotguns, 3 machine guns, various accessories, an assortment of pistols, and that's not a complete list, and made 5 trips to Africa. Although she has, on occasion, raised the question, "Do you really need another rifle?", she has remained 100% supportive.

So, when she says, "I would like to try fly fishing", rod, reel, tackle, trout, lessons, whatever - done.

If I thought I could get away with hiring the neighbor kids to don scuba gear and put trout on the hook when she casts into the pond, I'd do it.

The intention is for all the trout to be caught before water temp becomes an issue. Should some survive due to the depth is speculation not expectation. These trout are the fish equivalent of tower launched pheasants.

When we purchased our current property, it came with some bee hives. My wife expressed a desire to try bee keeping. We joined the local club, purchased the proper equipment, and retained the services of a bee keeper. She is now almost 100% self-sufficient with the bees, has doubled the amount of hives, and is launching her own line of honey.
(side note: I've been stung 9 times)

We both understand the value of proper gear and proper training, and I greatly appreciate all of the advice so graciously offered on this forum.

The idea of lessons is a great one, and combined with the opportunity to practice in the privacy of our own pond gives success a much better chance.

 

[Franco]

Franco please contact the good folks over at Tailwaters Fly Fishing in Dallas. You and your wife could do a Saturday morning class together and come away with great confidence in what you are buying and why. It would be a great gift for your wife.

I had them come to one of my "Lunch and Learn" sessions at our office last summer and it created a lot of interest in fly fishing. They are all wonderful people.

Edit to add: Depending on where you are in East Texas, you and the wife can spend a day with me at my 5 acre pond about 15 minutes from Athens that is loaded with bluegill and bass that are a blast on the fly and nymphs. It is super clean for fly fishing with about 150 yds of slow gradual hard bottom on one side that is perfect for wade fishing if you want to get in the water.

Just got off the phone with them, made arrangements for private lessons.

We are in Bullard, not far from Athens. That is a very generous offer, thank you. Sounds like something we would like to do.

 

[NDWoods]

Just got off the phone with them, made arrangements for private lessons.

We are in Bullard, not far from Athens. That is a very generous offer, thank you. Sounds like something we would like to do.

Great call with private lessons. I know you and your wife will be very happy with them.

I live in Arlington but have brothers in Canton, Tyler, and Bullard. We will have to meet up sometime.

 

[fourfive8]

@Franco
Good plan to get some instruction. I’ve been fly fishing for almost 70 years. Over that time have helped many aspiring fly casters get started. The equipment recommendations I post earlier are based upon a lot of first hand experience with beginners. You can easily spend over $1000 for a rod and reel that may not be the best for a beginning fly fisher. The best way would be for your wife to try few different combinations before investing in something designed for more advanced anglers. Salesmen like to sell the high end goods When she has learned the basics of how to cast a fly… that would be the time to upgrade and customize to her preference. If she went straight to an expensive, fast tip, power spine rod she may get discouraged before progressing. As with any athletic activity, some progress rapidly and some require more time and patience.

 

[Doug Hamilton]

My wife has said she wants to learn how to fly fish. I've ordered 200 trout ranging in size from 12" to 16" to stock in our pond, but know absolutely nothing about fly rods, flies, or fly fishing. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

An 8'' 6" 4 weight or a 9' 5 wt with the matching reel and line would do nicely. The line should be a weight forward floating line. You will also need 5x leaders and tipet material.

Flies will depend on what lives in your area.

For dry flies, a good assortment of parachute Adams size 16 to 12, Simulators size 12 to 8.

Nymphs can include, Prince size 10 14, Gold ribbed Hares Ear, size 12 and 14, Denzel flies size 10 and 12.

There are thousands of rods, reels, lines and flies possible, but what I have given you has worked well for my wife and I.

Best of luck!

Doug

 

[Doug Hamilton]

Thank you. Does wt refer to the weight of the pole, the line, or something else?

The rod but usually the line also. They should be matched. Sometimes a fisher will go up one on the line thinking it might make casting easier in wind.

 

[Franco]

Great call with private lessons. I know you and your wife will be very happy with them.

I live in Arlington but have brothers in Canton, Tyler, and Bullard. We will have to meet up sometime.

Sounds like a plan - I'll PM with my contact info

 

[Franco]

An 8'' 6" 4 weight or a 9' 5 wt with the matching reel and line would do nicely. The line should be a weight forward floating line. You will also need 5x leaders and tipet material.

Flies will depend on what lives in your area.

For dry flies, a good assortment of parachute Adams size 16 to 12, Simulators size 12 to 8.

Nymphs can include, Prince size 10 14, Gold ribbed Hares Ear, size 12 and 14, Denzel flies size 10 and 12.

There are thousands of rods, reels, lines and flies possible, but what I have given you has worked well for my wife and I.

Best of luck!

Doug

Doug,

Good to hear from you. I'll give you a call.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Point taken. While I certainly don't disagree with your observation and comments, and welcome your advice; allow me to offer a different perspective which might provide some insight into this endeavor.

Since 2018 when I first entertained the idea of shooting, hunting, safaris, etc, my wife has stood by while I purchased 6 Heyms, 7 Hill Country Rifles, 5 shotguns, 3 machine guns, various accessories, an assortment of pistols, and that's not a complete list, and made 5 trips to Africa. Although she has, on occasion, raised the question, "Do you really need another rifle?", she has remained 100% supportive.

So, when she says, "I would like to try fly fishing", rod, reel, tackle, trout, lessons, whatever - done.

If I thought I could get away with hiring the neighbor kids to don scuba gear and put trout on the hook when she casts into the pond, I'd do it.

The intention is for all the trout to be caught before water temp becomes an issue. Should some survive due to the depth is speculation not expectation. These trout are the fish equivalent of tower launched pheasants.

When we purchased our current property, it came with some bee hives. My wife expressed a desire to try bee keeping. We joined the local club, purchased the proper equipment, and retained the services of a bee keeper. She is now almost 100% self-sufficient with the bees, has doubled the amount of hives, and is launching her own line of honey.
(side note: I've been stung 9 times)

We both understand the value of proper gear and proper training, and I greatly appreciate all of the advice so graciously offered on this forum.

The idea of lessons is a great one, and combined with the opportunity to practice in the privacy of our own pond gives success a much better chance.

Unlike tower launched pheasants, put and take trout in a warm pond quickly become inedible. When cooked they smell and taste like a sleeping bag rotten with mildew. I agree with other posts. You don't need trout for fly fishing. Panffish will attack dry flies. Smallmouth will go after just about anything. Catfish might be more of a challenge.

 

[Noah_McCoy]

Unlike tower launched pheasants, put and take trout in a warm pond quickly become inedible. When cooked they smell and taste like a sleeping bag rotten with mildew. I agree with other posts. You don't need trout for fly fishing. Panffish will attack dry flies. Smallmouth will go after just about anything. Catfish might be more of a challenge.

I’ve caught lots of panfish on a 4wt as well as smallmouth and large ouch on a 6wt, it’s a lot of fun. An a 4wt makes those smaller fish feel like monsters .

 

[Franco]

Unlike tower launched pheasants, put and take trout in a warm pond quickly become inedible. When cooked they smell and taste like a sleeping bag rotten with mildew. I agree with other posts. You don't need trout for fly fishing. Panffish will attack dry flies. Smallmouth will go after just about anything. Catfish might be more of a challenge.

Understood.

The concept here is take without the put. They are only offered late November with a life expectancy of a few months. You plant them, catch them, eat them - if you like trout, and net out the rest when the water warms up. There is no expectation of establishing them. There is the remote possibility some might survive because of the depth, but I'm not counting on it.

I ordered 200, my wife has first go at catching them, the neighbor boys are next, I might throw a worm at them and see what happens. If she catches them all and likes it - I'll get some more; if not - I'll do something else.

The fish we planted in June are still small, if I could find some larger bass I'd put them in there.

Guys, don't think I don't appreciate the suggestions regarding alternatives to the trout, and your concerns about the warm water are not falling on deaf ears; but, I must point out (and in my defense), I never said the plan made sense - I said I was doing it for my wife. Surely I am not the only husband to stand, dumbfounded, in a living room having just heard your wife say, "I know that couch won't fit, but let's just put it there to see how it looks ". Need I say more?

 

[Huvius]

Don’t overthink it.
I swear, fly fishermen are just like wingshooters.
If it’s not just right, and I don’t have the best equipment, then…

If you present the right fly in the right place it doesn’t matter what your gear is.

My grandfather fished the Colorado front range back in the ‘20s and ‘30s when it was pretty wild. He finally was able to buy a really nice fly rod - a Thomas Hardy DeLuxe in 1938.
He was understandably proud of having such a rod.
He told me “you know what? The fish didn’t even notice”

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

@Charlie64 Would you like to add to the conversation? Think you would offer some value here.

 

[fourfive8]

Don’t overthink it.
I swear, fly fishermen are just like wingshooters.
If it’s not just right, and I don’t have the best equipment, then…

If you present the right fly in the right place it doesn’t matter what your gear is.

My grandfather fished the Colorado front range back in the ‘20s and ‘30s when it was pretty wild. He finally was able to buy a really nice fly rod - a Thomas Hardy DeLuxe in 1938.
He was understandably proud of having such a rod.
He told me “you know what? The fish didn’t even notice”

No truer words were ever spoken
Similar story here— both my father and grandfather were dedicated fly fishermen. My grandfather and great grandfather fished many of the Front Range creeks, moving there in the 1880s. Even some of the women in the family, early on, became anglers. I have an old pic of one of them fishing somewhere near Allenspark CO ca 1900 in what appears to be a Sunday dress

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Don’t overthink it.
I swear, fly fishermen are just like wingshooters.
If it’s not just right, and I don’t have the best equipment, then…

If you present the right fly in the right place it doesn’t matter what your gear is.

My grandfather fished the Colorado front range back in the ‘20s and ‘30s when it was pretty wild. He finally was able to buy a really nice fly rod - a Thomas Hardy DeLuxe in 1938.
He was understandably proud of having such a rod.
He told me “you know what? The fish didn’t even notice”

I like to break the mold. 1961 Browning A5 Magnum receiver with 1971 trigger group and 1990s Miroku barrel + Invector chokes. Added crappy indestructable aftermarket black plastic after going through two sets of wood butt stock and fore end. Ugly as hell but it rarely misses in the field or at the range.

My long discontinued 7wt Scientific Angler fly rod and 3M SA reel are both second hand and well used (by me!) but I can still cast into the backing if I have enough room and no wind. The drag is about worn out in the reel. Hopefully, I can find replacement parts. I love that outfit. It's been fishing all over Canada, Lower 48, and Alaska.

 

[fourfive8]

No truer words were ever spoken
Similar story here— both my father and grandfather were dedicated fly fishermen. My grandfather and great grandfather fished many of the Front Range creeks, moving there in the 1880s. Even some of the women in the family, early on, became anglers. I have an old pic of one of them fishing somewhere near Allenspark CO ca 1900 in what appears to be a Sunday dress

Here’s a copy of the pic taken in the Allenspark area. A relative, but I don’t know which. Note the creel

 

[KY Hunting Guy]

I would recommend the SAGE foundation kit. I feel that in the 5 wt it offers everything you could possibly need or want for a lifetime of fly fishing.