Want to get started

[fish-4-fun]

I have never tried fly fishing before but think it would be a blast to fly fish my area lakes for bass and northern. I have no idea where to start though. Any help would be great.

[Fishin4Sanity]

Hey Fish4Fun...

Finally I get a chance to return the favor to someone else. Usually (I'm new to the forum and flyfishing) I'm the one asking for advice. I know very little... but here is what I do know. You should first do a search on beginning fly fishing or basics or new to fly fishing and other things along those lines (specifically in the fly fishing forum of the site). Sometimes I even will just page back through the old pages one at time looking for things that interest me. Although everyone here is more than helpful, I'm sure people get sick of saying the same stuff over and over... although many still do (KUDOS TO THEM!!), but much of that information has already been posted. So check it out... how to buy a rod, how to buy line, different components and flies necessary to get going... most of it, as well as lots of fun stories are all for the taking here. The people I've encountered here are great.

2nd tip... and probably the best one I received is READ. Go to your library, local bookstore, or even search the internet. Talk about a wealth of knowledge. As far as what to read... again search the this site, there are tons of suggestions.

3rd tip. And I will probably never learn this one... BE PATIENT with everything. Research, gathering knowledge, buying stuff, tying knots, casting, and hopefully eventually catching a fish... haven't gotten that one yet, but I've put in a few hours now. It's frustrating going from at least a fairly good spin fisherman and starting all over like a two year old with the fly.

HAVE FUN and after you've done some homework, post some specific questions on what you're still hung up on. At least that is what I try and do.... although when lazy just post the question.

[Jim W]

Very good suggestions.

If you would like hands on, you are welcome to attend the 7th Annual Trout Day in forestville Mystery Cave State Park.

May 5th. Yes it is near a trout stream, but it really is about fishing BOTH fly , spin and the great out of doors!

Jim W

[Questor]

The distinction between fishing for bass and northerns versus fishing for "traditional" fish like trout is significant because you will be casting large flies.

My recommendation is that you get a copy of a particular In-Fisherman video with Larry Dahlberg. I believe it is called Fly Fishing For Northern Pike.

That will tell you how to get started. In the video Dahlberg recommends a 10 weight rod, but he is also fishing for unusually large pike. I recommend a 9 weight as a better general rod for Minnesota bass and northern fishing.

One thing I'll add is that when you are first learning to cast those big bugs, you should wear a hat and a protective jacket to prevent hooking yourself. Either that, or removing the point of the hook. This is very important safety information.

[turiprap]

Fly fishing for northern pike with a fly as a serious endeavor requires some highly specialized equipment, the primary component of which is a 10 weight fly rod. That's a lot of rod and can be a challenge for anyone to handle, much less a beginner. You'd probably be a happier tyro if you were to start with a seven or eight weight outfit and concentrate on bass. You'll still nail the occasional pike. Larry Dahlberg did a great video on fly fishing for bass and panfish a couple of years back for Scientific Anglers. You might want to look at that. There are numerous books, too, like those by Charles Waterman and Dave whitlock, that you may find useful. Welcome and good luck.

[Questor]

The 10 weight is probably a good idea for the biggest fish, because that's the first of the fish fighting sized rods, but 9 weight is my choice for Minnesota northerns because a big one will go 15 pounds if you're lucky and because 9 weight rods are built more for good casting than for fish fighting. The 9 weight has no trouble casting even a long megadiver, and it's just fine for size 3/0 bass bugs.

I found the 8 weight to be a bit light.

[Questor]

I hate to seem abrasive, but I really don't want to scare fish-4-fun off. I don't see it as any more specialized than any other kind of fly fishing. It just requires a rod, an inexpensive reel with adequate capacity, a line, some leaders, a few large flies, and some heavy monofilament to protect the leader from pike teeth.

fish-4-fun: I do a lot of my favorite fishing for northerns and bass with a fly rod. I don't think it's any more specialized than any other kind of fly fishing. All you really need is

[sparcebag]

Fish here I am again. I own 4 fly rods and 3 reels,with a new rod&reel on the way.I'll let ya practice in my back yard if ya want a few pointers.