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[scotkemp]

just like the title ive looked at some videos and books and now its time to actually learn how to possibly fly fish, but i need a rod and reel for fly fishin so could i get some suggestions on a not to pricey but descent starter kit rod and reel im and where you would go to buy it, i could just go to berrys and buy something but im looking for some opinions, easy to use and averagely priced

[Rp3Flyfisher]

When I teach my classes I usually recommend 2 different Rods, they are;

-Less expensive- The 5wt Amundson Fli
-More Expensive- The Sage Launch (Replaced the Flight now) Lifetime warranty for around $200

Reels;

Less Expensive- Dragonfly (Kamloops Edition)
Bit More- Reddington SVII or The Rise

Line;

This is one place you do NOT want to cheap out.
Get a RIO Gold (Dry line), RIO Aqualux (Type I Sink) and a RIO Deep III (Type 3 sink)

If you need more help, feel free to give me a call at 604-722-0491

Rick

[marmot]

I helped a buddy get set up with the sage launch (5/6), dragonfly venture reel, and the Scientific Anglers headstart line.  It's a less expensive line but I definitely would not consider it cheaping out.  It's a floating line, as a first line it will be easy to cast and versatile.  A setup like this will be useful beyond your first year too.

[Rp3Flyfisher]

The SA headstart is not a bad line, will do fine as well.

What I mean by not cheaping out is, stay away from those brands sold at places like Walmart, Can Tire, etc...

Most lines from companies like RIO, SA, Cortland etc... will be fine. I just really like the RIO Golg, Rio Grand, and the RIO Nymph, great lines, last a long time, easy to cast, and they float VERY high in the water.

Rick

[k.c.]

I just bought the Rio versitip 5w line and am looking forward to trying it out i was using cheaper line until now am wondering how the difference is

[Rp3Flyfisher]

GREAT line, You will see a HUGE difference!

Rick

[scotkemp]

this is great info thanks guys im gonna head out to berry problably tomorrow and get a fly setup with some of these options

[prairiefire]

Just go to your local Fly Shop and work out a deal on something. It pays to be loyal to your local shop. You'll be in there all the time buying gear and tying supplies soon enough. They'll remember who you are and your loyalty will pay off in the future. You'll be able to get better deals in the future. I have a TFO 4pc 6wt. It's got a lifetime warranty.

[BCfisherman97]

I think Army and Navy is cheaper than Barries Bait and Tackle.

[Rp3Flyfisher]

Just go to your local Fly Shop and work out a deal on something. It pays to be loyal to your local shop. You'll be in there all the time buying gear and tying supplies soon enough. They'll remember who you are and your loyalty will pay off in the future. You'll be able to get better deals in the future. I have a TFO 4pc 6wt. It's got a lifetime warranty.

I agree, support your local shops. These smaller shops will work hard for you, give you great service, and will help you out as much as they can. You may pay a few bucks more, but the service you get is unmatched by the larger stores.

Now, that being said, the Army & Navy store in Langley is a good store, treat their clients well and you almost get a small shop feel from them.
Rick

[RalphH]

For quality gear (Amundson, TFO) Army and Navy charges the same as any of the local tackle shops. You go to a local tackle shop you will get quality advice, they will set your tackle up,backing on the reel (usually n/c) properly knot it to the line, sell you good leaders (A&N leaders are not necessarily as good as Rio) and fix your problems if you come back. 

[HOOK]

I agree to support your local shops. everything fly fishing i buy at M&Y, they know me by name and even by voice if i call ahead looking for something or to ask about something which is a thing you will never get from a big store. And yes as your local shop gets to knwo you more you will for sure start to get better deals and advice and even fishing spots to check out 

on that though, everything gear fishing i have to go to A&N because i have nothing closer to me then that store and i do really like the selection of stuff they have in there 

[Matt]

First off, what do you want to fish for and where?  Flyfishing for trout in the interior from a boat is where its at, so assuming that's what you're going after.  This would also be about the most versatile set up you can get.  It can also work on the coast for pink salmon, and trout.

9' 6wt Dragonfly Expedition- nice rod, cheap so you can afford a couple of them, which is crucial to success in the interior. Maybe go a little longer if you

SA  Headstart WF6F line (this will outlast just about any line out there, Rio's cast great, but don't last as long IMO).  I also bought a Dragonfly floating line for a loaner and it has actually become a favorite.  Its a rebadged SA line IIRC and is holding up fine, casts well too.  This spring I caught maybe 95% of my fish from a floating line.  Actually, with the exception of salmon fishing, I probably fish a floater 80%+ of the time and catch 95% of my fish.  Play around with leader length to get down deep, I've fished down to 35' deep at times with a long leader/ floating line.

Because you're probably from the LML and likely to use your rod in brackish or salt water, get an anodized reel.  A Pflueger Trion 1956 seems to me to be the best bet and I plan on picking up a couple myself.  If you're convinced you'll never fish saltwater (yeah right, once pinks start to show off the beaches in 2011), pick up a Dragonfly Kamloops reel and save yourself money on cheap spools.

Boats- Fishcats are about the best float tubes around, but you'll catch more fish out of a small pram or punt.  Sometimes these can be found on CL for less than $500.

For salmon in rivers, a 10' 8 weight works pretty well all round.  Get yourself a Rio Versitip and a Trion 1990 or something like that.  Avoid reels where the bearings are exposed when you open up the reel- silt and crap gets in there and will ruin the reel pretty quick.  Most of the time, a straight 8lbs leader of a Maxima leader spool works great.

For trout in LML rivers, a 9' 4wt would be great and let you land the occasional bull trout too.  All you need here is a floating line and a cheap reel (line holder duty only).

[marmot]

  Most of the time, a straight 8lbs leader of a Maxima leader spool works great.

Matt I used to use maxima but found the diameter too thick for it's test....making it hard to match up to appropriate diameter tippet.  I still run straight maxima without tippet for larger fish because it's simply tough stuff, but for anything remotely picky I run either a tapered leader or smaller diameter leader material.  You may be more prone to lose fish "at the knot" if you join a leader and tippet of two different diameters, especially if you like a fast tying knot like a double or triple surgeon.  In my own experience this is the case...for others of course it may be different.