Getting into fishing

Call me "old man" but since Mrs Mullet gave me a day on a great river for Christmas I have been getting more and more attracted by doing more fishing. I'll be heading to Norway in a few weeks and opportunities will abound so it's time get me a fly rod and reel. Some advice from the more knowledgeable would be mucho appreciated. :)

- the rod must be a travel rod
- the whole setup must not be too expensive or as cheap as possible for a decent setup (one that'll last me a while)
- it will be used on small to medium rivers (mostly English chalk and limestone streams) and lakes, freshwater only, most likely trout only (and they ain't huge here)
- I was thinking 8'6"-9', 5 weight, medium flex

Any suggestions for a good starter rod and reel? Anyone got anything to sell? Any bargains spotted?

Cheers,

Mullet

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Originally Posted by Mulletizer

I have been getting more and more attracted by doing more fishing.

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Ah, young Grasshopper... you have vely, vely much to learn :)

You want to get something with a good combination of light and strong...

Here's a budget-friendly rig that I like a whole lot:
http://www.orvis.com/store/product_c...subcat_id=7039

I have the non-travel version of the same pole... and have always able to get a lot of power out of the cast on it. Also, it's versatile enough for streams, rivers or lakes, which you need.

Have fun!!

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Originally Posted by TacomaLuv

I have the non-travel version of the same pole...

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you meant "Rod", right!:)

I have the same Rod in the 2 piece version. It's a great all around rod. If you were looking for a more entry level set up I would go for the Orvis Clearwater series in the same specs. Its not quite as smooth, etc, but it will last you a long time and it is always nice to have a cheaper rod laying around to recruit friends and family. You can always upgrade in year once you you figure out what you like and dislike.

I'm partial to Fenwick's. You can't go wrong. For someone new to the sport, an Eagle GT is perfect (about $115)
For spinners, I like Ugly Sticks...cheap and nice action.

Memorial Weekend = Bone and Tarpon fishing for me .........Hopefully. If not, fingers crossed for wahoo.

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Originally Posted by Bluebird

you meant "Rod", right!:)

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Ooh, is that a feau-pax? I will have to let my dad know he dropped the ball in my fishing education on that one! (related: is it a feau pax not knowing how to spell feau pax?)

Travel rod, but kinda expensive....

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/1...ng-Rod-9-.html

Redington has some nice casting 6 piece rods for $240 list. There are a number of reasonable casting rods in that price range. You can get decent reels for $100. $60 for a line. Some will argue that stuff is not decent :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by TacomaLuv

feau pax

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:nonono2:

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Originally Posted by TacomaLuv

Ooh, is that a feau-pax? I will have to let my dad know he dropped the ball in my fishing education on that one! (related: is it a feau pax not knowing how to spell feau pax?)

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When I/my dad refers to a fishing pole I think of a wooden pole with some line attached to the end. It still catches fish, but by no means is it a rod.

Do I detect hints of snobbery among our fishing brethren? ;)

Thanks for the advice. I actually used an Orvis Clearwater - and didn't dislike it (for that's worth). For now I haven't used enough rods to know what I really like though.

So, are there any leads on where to get rods for good prices? And anywhere that does good packages of rods/reels/line? I've been googling loads but am yet to find anything that jumps out at me.

Search "fly fishing"- plenty of info.

I will repeat myself again and recommend Temple Fork.

A 4 piece 5 wt should run you about $150 max.

Couple that with a composite reel for $40, and you have a great start to your new addiction.

Have you read this http://tetongravity.com/forums/showt...hlight=fishing yet?

There are some good suggestions in there. Clearwater is a great entry set up. It was my first.

:redface: er, hehe... Searching for fly fishing here... Something I would have done well to have done before... That thread is money.

At the moment I am looking at the Temple Fork and St Croix rods. They seem to be well looked upon and not too, too pricey. Thanks for all the advice.

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Originally Posted by Mulletizer

:redface: er, hehe... Searching for fly fishing here... Something I would have done well to have done before... That thread is money.

At the moment I am looking at the Temple Fork and St Croix rods. They seem to be well looked upon and not too, too pricey. Thanks for all the advice.

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I have a St. Croix 5 weight two piece that works well for my unrefined casting style, but then again I haven't used it in over 10 years. It did slay the little smallmouth and pike in Lake Allamoosak (sp?) in Maine back in '93 though! :)

My advice to you is to go to a reputable shop and test-cast a bunch of different rods. That way you can get a feel for what you might like/dislike.

For some reason I just can't get into fly fishing in rivers, or fishing in fresh water in general (and this is after spending time on world-class water in BC, AK, and Chile). Fresh water is for drinking, salt water is for fishing.

cabelas stowaway 5 piece, you can't go wrong I like it better then rods I've fished that cost 5 times as much.

As far as reels I like pfueger medalists but they are a bit heavy. Reels are more important then the rod when it comes to fighting big fish but for small fish any $50 reel will do fine

Get a scientific angler wf floating line an dyou can't go wrongg

Just make sure and eat what you catch.

No sense torturing the poor bastards.

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Originally Posted by schindlerpiste

For spinners, I like Ugly Sticks...cheap and nice action.

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This is fly fishing talk, I know...

but Ugly Sticks have quite possibly the worst action of any spinning rod I've ever tried.... Bending in half for a 3 lb bass does not equal "nice action" and control. Sure, they're cheap and pretty durable -- but transmit zero feedback. Try nightfishing for walleye with an ugly stick... guarantee you'll miss a LOT of bites.

Not tryin' to hate, just sayin you should try something else next time. Lightning rods by Berkley are also sold at walmart for about the same price -- you can pick one up next time you buy yourself some new britches. :p

I posted this in 72Twenty's thread in Gear Swap, but... two questions.

1. I got a reel that is best suited for 6, 7, and 8 weight line, but was told that since I'm a JONG and because I'm fishing smaller streams I should use a 5 weight. Should I go 5, 6, or does it not really matter?

2. What size tippet do I need? Does tippet size = line weight? Or what?

Danke.

the reel to line weight doesnt much matter, the rod to line weight is a bit more important. the drag on a 6,7,8 may be a bit much for the smaller fish you will find on a smaller creek. so if your rod is a 5-6 weight and the reel is 6,7,8 you will probably be fine with 5wt line.

tippet size corresponds basically to pound test in standard mono, except with tippet or leaders the higher the number the lower the pound test. tippet depends on what size leader you are using, or you can tie your own leader and use different sizes of tippet material. there are benefits to tying your own leaders, but im lazy and use standard tapered leaders. i do use a loop connection to make changing leaders easier. I carry a selection of different leaders depending on the fishing ill be doing. for instance, small flies, calm water, dry fly fishing, picky trout, and i will use a pretty light leader (6x - 7x). smaller nymphs, bigger dries and agressive trout on a hatch and ill go a little bigger (4x - 6x). fishing big terrestrials or salmon flies for big trout and ill use a 2x-4x. ripping streamers for the hawgs and ill use a 0x-2x.

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Originally Posted by schindlerpiste

I'm partial to Fenwick's. You can't go wrong. For someone new to the sport, an Eagle GT is perfect (about $115)
For spinners, I like Ugly Sticks...cheap and nice action.

Memorial Weekend = Bone and Tarpon fishing for me .........Hopefully. If not, fingers crossed for wahoo.

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You going to the Bahamas ?

Pocket Fisherman, foos! Ron Popeil would never steer you wrong.

dude, my folks used to have some trout lakes in their garden (my dad's a con man - sadly he's now in jail and the house is long gone). i got really into fly fishing while they were there, fished every weekend for around a year. being a broke arse ski bum i bought a daiwa rod from my local fishing shop, it cost around £20. My brother bought another super cheap rod too about the same price. They were both two pieces so not brilliant for travelling but they were fantastic. Having never actually cast an expensive rod I can't compare them to 'real' rods, but I had fun and caught a ton of fish.

I'd love an Orvis or a Sage but can't afford that stuff and seeing as I don't even know the difference I'm a very happy fisher man.

I'm back in London for the summer now. PM if you wanna go fish sometime.

Sounds good. :)

I actually just busted out the credit card. Typically, spent a little more than I planned. I should soon have this setup in my greasy mitts. Went for a 4-piece 8'6" in 5 weight.

Thanks everyone for the advice, I'll post some fishing pics when I get back from Norway. :)

looks like a pretty good set up.

have fun in Norway!

I have a couple of Temple fork rods, along with several of the other brands and their just as good as the expensive ones.

The warranty is very good, a friends dog bit one of mine in two, and they replaced it with obvious teeth marks in it no questions asked.

Flyfishing is a great sport, always new challenges and levels to strive for and as an added bonus, you hardly ever hit trees with your face flyfishing;) ;)