Fly Rod Advice

[deewayne2003]

Great pictures.

I put the pond in when we bought this place. It's only about an acre, but it's 40' deep. The dam wall is about 10' above grade, the other 30' is below grade. There's a few spots where it might be 45'. The bottom is solid clay and we took a few extra "bites" with the excavator to create some holes and hiding spots.

The key-way and dam were packed with a dozer and sheep's foot. There's a couple springs flowing from the bottom which we had to divert. Interestingly, with the exception of where the water actually emerged from the springs, the bottom was solid enough to walk the excavator on. I did manage to get the dozer stuck twice.

We rough cut the sides with the excavator, finished the slope with the dozer, and track-packed all the sides. The slope varies from 2:1 to 3:1 - it's steep!

When the dirt work was done, we placed some root-balls, big logs, and boulders on the bottom and along the sides to create some habitat.

It's currently stocked with Crayfish, minnows, blue-gill, a few catfish, and bass.

The fish farm people said the trout will survive till March, possibly April - so net out any remaining fish or let them die. There's a remote chance some might survive longer due to the depth.

The recommendation for lessons is a good one - thanks.

Hopefully she will figure it out and enjoy it. A friend tried to teach me years ago. After an agonizing day on the river it was decided I should just buy line and give it away.

Sounds like you have a well built pond, but if it's 40'+ deep it would probably benefit from an aeration system to keep it from stratifying.

Trout like oxygen rich water and if you can keep the deep water in your pond oxygen rich I think you'll be surprised how long they will last and the other fish will benefit also.

As others have said, don't underestimate the fun of catching big bluegill on a fly rod, it's like poor mans marlin fishing.

Feeding a "game fish chow" feed that is high protein and based on fish meal will also help boost it to the next level for the blue gill also; often people just feed the 32% catfish food from the local feed store without realizing that catfish food gets it's protein from peanut meal which channel catfish use efficiently.... game fish on the other hand do not digest the plant protein nearly as well.

 

[Fryeguy]

There are lots of great rods for beginners. St Croix makes great rods, Sage, Reddington, echo, lots of cheaper rods for cheap. I really like fiberglass rods, but also have more bamboo than anything else. Fiberglass rods are super tough and flex better, so delicate tippet won’t snap as fast as some of the faster rods. Look on Craigslist, Facebook marketplace etc. even local fly fishing stores may have used rods. I find nice rods at completely random places. Flea markets, pawn shops etc. I am not a Orvis Clearwater fan, unlike many here. There are better rods for the money out there.

 

[Franco]

Thanks guys.
She seems pretty excited about it, especially being able to do it in the privacy of our own pond.
I'll look into the possibility of a local club or group for lessons, but I think she would be more in favor of a week or so at a fishing lodge/spa.

I have my dad's old tackle boxes complete with lures, hooks, as well as several boxes of flies. I remember him fishing the Sacramento Delta, San Francisco Bay, and coastal waters for striped bass, sturgeon, salmon, etc; and I have his rods and reels - but there's no fly rod and I don't recall him ever talking about it.

 

[375er]

Also check out Temple Fork Outfitters. A very excellent line of rods and reels, many designed with the input of some of the biggest names in fly fishing. Prices to fit most budgets and will a tool that will be viable in a lifetime of fishing.

 

[farmer_john]

Depending on water temp they may not make the summer.
But id suggest going on a guided fly fishing trip before buying anything.

That way if yall dont like it your not in alot of $$ and youll have someone with experience focusing on yall having a good time and your technique giving pointers.

 

[Flbt]

I would suggest a 6 to 8 wt. When summer rolls around big blue gills and bass are just as much fun as trout and a bit more rod is useful in getting them out of brush. You will want to use that weight floating line and get an appropriate backing material to the actual fly line (so the reel is filled). Orvis carries all of that. The package above would be ideal because of both the quality and line and backing are solved for you.

Then you need leaders. Orvis has a large range of tapered leaders. For trout and bluegills with dry flies and small poppers, a 9ft 5X leader is hard to beat.

Yes ga. Giant bluegill
And bass are fun on a fly rod. Especially with the top water popping fly and so are warmouth.

 

[BAY]

Orvis Clearwater 5 or 6 wt

 

[MontanaPat]

Lots of opinions on fly rods out here, keep it simple to start with, an Orvis Clearwater set up or Temple Fork (they are HQd in Dallas, rods made in Korea) would both be reasonable choices to start with you can always get a nicer set up later if you find you both enjoy flyfishing. The Orvis store in Highland Park would be a good place to start, I’m sure they give some basic casting lessons for beginners. I would get a 5wt rod to start, anything heavier than a 6 weight is overkill for her needs and the heavier rod will wear her out learning to cast. I have about every weight rod out there and here in Montana I use a 5wt 90% of the time
When you are ready to branch out to fishing new waters I would welcome you to come visit my wife and I at our home in Ennis, Montana. We are known as one the fly fishing capitals of the world, we get anglers coming here to fish the world famous Madison River from all over the world. I live right off the river in one of the most beautiful valleys in the US. You are welcome to come stay in our guesthouse / trophy room, I’m sure you won’t mind the eyes staring at you from the walls

 

[fourfive8]

Get a cheap combo- rod, reel and line then practice in an open mowed grass area. Just tie a small piece of yarn on 4-5 ft leader… that will simulate resistance of fly without hook. Try to find a friend who fly fishes to start on basics. It is easier for a new fly caster to start with a fairly limber-spined rod. Some of the high end expensive rods have strong backbones with very fast tips… not easy to learn on. Most beginners pick up the basics pretty quickly with good initial instruction with the right equipment. 5, 6 or 7 weight rods and matching WFF line with leader about half length of rod… usually a good place to start. Conversely, ultra light rods in the 2-4 weight range not the easiest learn on either. Good luck! Fun to watch young anglers learn.

 

[wesheltonj]

I am probably not the person you want to take fly fishing advice from because I am cheap and only own Courtland reels, rods and line.

That said Sage makes a great rod and reel.

 

[Flbt]

Get a cheap combo- rod, reel and line then practice in an open mowed grass area. Just tie a small piece of yarn on 4-5 ft leader… that will simulate resistance of fly without hook. Try to find a friend who fly fishes to start on basics. It is easier for a new fly caster to start with a fairly limber-spined rod. Some of the high end expensive rods have strong backbones with very fast tips… not easy to learn on. Most beginners pick up the basics pretty quickly with good initial instruction with the right equipment. 5, 6 or 7 weight rods and matching WFF line with leader about half length of rod… usually a good place to start. Conversely, ultra light rods in the 2-4 weight range not the easiest learn on either. Good luck! Fun to watch young anglers learn.

My start with the fly rod started in 96.
We were on lake Seminole. I guess we came up on a few week old boat flip or sink or something. There were a few rods a tackle box and cooler (still had beer )
No one was around my buddy jumped in to retrieve the stuff.
I was on watch for gators.
There was a abu Garcia fly rod and some flys the top water popper one’s.
We asked at the boat dock/ store if they knew where or anything about the owners they said no. Fl 2 county’s and 1 maybe 2 ga county’s were all close so no way to track anything down.
No one else wanted the fly stuff. I wanted to try it. ( mayfly hatch on lake Seminole some fun top water brim)
I knew how to use a bull whip
So stared trying it that way to see if I could figure out the fly rod.
I was smart enough to take the hook out of the popper. ( very good thing or I would have had a fancy ear ring)

I learned on it at least enough to use the poppers and they were are very effective in fl water especially in the late afternoon.

And if who ever doesn’t take to fly fishing
You can put a ultra light spinning reel on a 9 ft rod and use spider wire line. You can get some distance and man at the bass you can get here on the little green and yellow betel spins

 

[meigsbucks]

Practicing in the yard is okay but remember to periodically wipe the line clean. Dirty line doesn't cast well and can be frustrating, especially for beginners.

I bought a spare spool and a cheeper line for practicing. If the line gets beat up in the yard, no issue.

 

[Franco]

Lots of opinions on fly rods out here, keep it simple to start with, an Orvis Clearwater set up or Temple Fork (they are HQd in Dallas, rods made in Korea) would both be reasonable choices to start with you can always get a nicer set up later if you find you both enjoy flyfishing. The Orvis store in Highland Park would be a good place to start, I’m sure they give some basic casting lessons for beginners. I would get a 5wt rod to start, anything heavier than a 6 weight is overkill for her needs and the heavier rod will wear her out learning to cast. I have about every weight rod out there and here in Montana I use a 5wt 90% of the time
When you are ready to branch out to fishing new waters I would welcome you to come visit my wife and I at our home in Ennis, Montana. We are known as one the fly fishing capitals of the world, we get anglers coming here to fish the world famous Madison River from all over the world. I live right off the river in one of the most beautiful valleys in the US. You are welcome to come stay in our guesthouse / trophy room, I’m sure you won’t mind the eyes staring at you from the walls

When I mentioned Orvis to my wife she immediately brought up the Highland Park store, she is quite familiar with that area. She is originally from North Carolina, but lived in Dallas for about 15 years. I need to pick up my 416 from Chris at Heym, and if memory serves me correctly, Baretta is nearby.

I have been to Ennis, Willie's Distillery to be precise, beautiful part of the world.

Your offer is very generous, we both thank you.

 

[Franco]

Get a cheap combo- rod, reel and line then practice in an open mowed grass area. Just tie a small piece of yarn on 4-5 ft leader… that will simulate resistance of fly without hook. Try to find a friend who fly fishes to start on basics. It is easier for a new fly caster to start with a fairly limber-spined rod. Some of the high end expensive rods have strong backbones with very fast tips… not easy to learn on. Most beginners pick up the basics pretty quickly with good initial instruction with the right equipment. 5, 6 or 7 weight rods and matching WFF line with leader about half length of rod… usually a good place to start. Conversely, ultra light rods in the 2-4 weight range not the easiest learn on either. Good luck! Fun to watch young anglers learn.

We have some very good friends who are avid fly fishermen, they are responsible for my wife's interest. They have offered to come out and offer instruct her.

 

[Franco]

Depending on water temp they may not make the summer.
But id suggest going on a guided fly fishing trip before buying anything.

That way if yall dont like it your not in alot of $$ and youll have someone with experience focusing on yall having a good time and your technique giving pointers.

The fishery folks said if we see them gasping for air to either net them or let them die. They predicted April at the latest.

 

[Sideshow]

Barbless hooks good way to go.