Hi guys, im brand new to flyfishing but i've been fishing all my life. Just got into it 2 weeks ago. I'm hoping someone can help me out with my questions.
I have nothing fly fishing related so im thinking about going with this combo from cabelas <direct link removed>
I'm thinking about fishing from small rivers/ larger rivers in yosemitie and other lakes around california for trout and small bass. Would a 5 or 6wt be best?
Your post was brought to my attention by one of the moderators because of the direct link to a non-sponsor business. I know this was your first post but the membership agreement clearly points out that isn't how we do it around here and we thought it might be fresh in your mind since it's required to agree at sign up.
In any case it was removed, but feel free to describe the setup and you'll probably get good advice...
But this also brings up a good point. The value of flyshops, instructors and access to experts who work in the industry is you get first-hand advice, maybe even a free lesson in the parking lot. You might save a little money buying on line, but you could just as easily waste a lot getting the wrong thing.
If it were me, I'd visit a local flyshop of good repute and learn a little. I think it was Ben Franklin who coined the saying "penny wise, pound foolish". I think this applies to saving a little on line to making a well-informed decision with the help of your local neighborhood flyshop.
I would visit a fly shop but i just dont want to spend all the money right now. This combo is 135 and includes everything to get started. Yay or Nay?
Outfits
Genesis Fly-Fishing Combos include everything you need to get started fly-fishing. The graphite composite rod is moderate/fast action to accommodate the beginning caster. A genuine cork handle, composite reel seat and double-foot chrome snake guides make it a first-class fishing instrument. The reel is die-cast aluminum with a disc drag sporting a large knob for simple, dependable adjustment. And it easily converts from left- to right-hand retrieve. All combos include a rod/reel case to protect your outfit while traveling. The 4-, 5- and 6-weight rods include an assortment of two-dozen flies suited for trout fishing. With the 8-weight rods, you receive an eight-piece popper assortment for bass and other warm-water species (comes with a medium flat/ripple fly box).
Each combo also includes:
# A Scientific Anglers Headstart® weight-forward fly line and 100 yards of backing
# One bottle of Scientific Anglers fly floatant
# Floatant holder
# Two tapered leaders
# Nippers
# Forceps
# Two small retractors for forceps and nippers
# Strike indicators
# Split-shot assortment
# Leader straightener
# Fly assortment
# Chestpack to store all your equipment.
My pop used to buy fishing kits like this from the backs of his Boys Life magazines when he was a boy scout. :hihi: You get what you pay for, but it sounds like a good beginners practice / learning setup.
kaster, i am very new to fly fishing as well. i started out last spring and only mannaged to get out 2 or 3 times. I fished for brook trout and i was able to pick up a nice combo setup at Walmart for like 50$. its a fenwick 8.5 ', 7 - 8 wieght rod with the reel and it was set up with backing line and leader ready to go. I was out for the first time on saturday for atlantic Salmon, and it even handled the larger salmon quite well. I would guess if you are like me, and you are just starting out that would work just fine and it may save you few bucks. Then down the road maybe next year if you really get into fly fishing like i am, you wont mind spending a couple hundred dollars on a nice setup because you all ready know its something you will not regret buying. good luck which ever direction you choose.
Can't speak to the particular set-ups your considering, though the price seems very good. I can comment on the fishing where you are aiming, however, and that might help you specify which set-up (ie line wt) you want.
I live in the Bay Area for about 12 years, and took any opportunity I could to head to the Sierra to fish for trout. Typically fished with a 5wt, but in later years also used a 3 weight in some situations.
For an all around trout rod for that region, I'd go with either a faster 4 wt, or a moderate 5 wt. I presume the the set-ups your looking at are more moderate in action so would go with the 5 wt.
If you want also to do a little bass fishing with the same rig, you might look at the 6 weight. Either a 5 or 6 would be just fine for the valley river winter steelhead run, though you wwould be seriously undergunned if you hooked a salmon.
As far as waters to try. the river's will all be high with runoff through the month of May at least. As a hint, grab a delorme atlas and look for forest service or logging roads that cross any of the rivers NEAR yosemite. I think they fish better than places IN yosemite myself.
I use a 4wt for panfish and LM bass here in eastern NC. I can throw 2" streamers on my rigs. A 14" bass on a 4wt is no problem.
A 4wt is very light and very versatile. I can cast mine in the wind, roll cast, hit targets 60 feet away, and cast larger flies than you believe possible with a 4wt.
I've hooked some nice bass on those 4wts. They threw the hook out. If the hook stayed in the mouth, I'd have caught those fish. I'm guesssing the bass were 5 lb -7 lb range.
Get the 4wt and you will be able to handle any 16" fish out there!
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