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[Alomar]

Hello all , my dad has given me his 9ft 8 wt dragon fly rod that is 20 years old
which I have only used for trolling, going try and start casting this year, was wondering if i would notice a big difference in learning how to cast with this rod or a new one?thnx

[Sandman]

Hello all , my dad has given me his 9ft 8 wt dragon fly rod that is 20 years old
which I have only used for trolling, going try and start casting this year, was wondering if i would notice a big difference in learning how to cast with this rod or a new one?thnx

I used a 6wt Dragon fly for years (probably the same vintage), it's a good rod for starters (I still use mine for a back up or second rod in my boat). You will notice a difference if you purchased a better quality rod, sage for example, but not much difference with just a newer Dragon Fly.

[HOOK]

I also used a 9' 8wt Dragonfly rod for many years, caught tons of salmon on it 

[sandy999]

I have fished Dragonfly rods for many years and have been very happy with them for lake fishing. I think that if you watched two casters with equal experience one casting with a Sage and the other a Dragonfly I feel that you would see very little difference in casting distance. The fact is that Dragon fly rods especially the Kamloops model are very nicely finished rods with a small fighting butt and also comes with a hard case. They are available from Kent Sporting goods in Agassiz-at this time I own two #6wt. 3 piece 11 ft. Dragonfly Rods and they fish and cast like a dream from a Pontoon boat. These rods retail for apprx. $!99.00 plus tax. I have also owned a few sage rods and they are certainly nice but are they worth the money? Not to me! If I was going to spend that kind of coin the only rod that I would buy is a hand made rod from Bob Meiser in Oregon which I at this time I own 3 of them. They are a wonderful Salmon or Steelhead Rod and a true delight to cast. A 8 wt. that you now own will handle any Steelhead or Salmon in the lower mainland. Although it is far to heavy for trout fishing.

[jimmywits]

I have a dragonfly 6wt, 2 piece,9ft, fly rod among my inventory, and it is a delightful rod. It was not expensive to buy but it feels/handles as good as any rod I have tried. Another good quality rod brand, that is not expensive is Berkley. I had a Berkley specialist for years, again a 6wt, 2piece, 9ft, and I loved the way that rod cast.

[Ian Forbes]

Like others here, I also have a Dragonfly rod that has been perfectly adequate. It is a 2 piece, 9 foot, 7 wt and I've had it for about 20 years. I've lost count of the salmon and steelhead I've caught with it. Certainly there are better rods, but not the 4 times better which the Sage, Loomis, Winston or Scott rods cost. Dragonfly is a brand name for a Lower Mainland company that I believe has since been sold.

[sandy999]

Like others here, I also have a Dragonfly rod that has been perfectly adequate. It is a 2 piece, 9 foot, 7 wt and I've had it for about 20 years. I've lost count of the salmon and steelhead I've caught with it. Certainly there are better rods, but not the 4 times better which the Sage, Loomis, Winston or Scott rods cost. Dragonfly is a brand name for a Lower Mainland company that I believe has since been sold.

Hi Ian:
Truer words were never spoken.

[Ian Forbes]

No two rods of different manufacturers are the same, even if they have the same designated line weight. It takes trying different lines on them to find the one that suits you best. A good caster can make a rod work even with a line weight above or below the designated one. And, a floating line is not going to feel the same as a sinking line. Beginners often prefer to have one size heavier than the designated line, because it helps them feel the rod load easier. These are just a couple things to think about when choosing a line.

[sandy999]

No two rods of different manufacturers are the same, even if they have the same designated line weight. It takes trying different lines on them to find the one that suits you best. A good caster can make a rod work even with a line weight above or below the designated one. And, a floating line is not going to feel the same as a sinking line. Beginners often prefer to have one size heavier than the designated line, because it helps them feel the rod load easier. These are just a couple things to think about when choosing a line.

Everthing that you are saying makes sense Ian because It certainly is a learning curve when there are so many different combinations in rods, lines and leaders available and it does not help when you are just learning and just about everyone person has different ideas what is good or bad. I have found that switching around your lines of the same type (Sinking, sink-tip or floating) then you have so many varieties of floating lines and also so many different sink rates of sinking lines that its enough to drive a novice nuts. With a floating line I suggest that you buy the line designed for the rod not for you and go to the river or even a school ground and practise every chance that you get and one day the light will come on and you will be happy. With a sinking line also buy the line that designed for the rod, not you and practise, practise and then practise more. If you find the sink rate is a little slow sinking just add a split shot. In a sink line I would not suggest a line heavier that a type #3. If you are Lucky enough to have a high end rod, a man by the name of Steve Godshall in Oregon will enter the facts of your rod such as length, weight, brand and serial number into a computer and will make a line for your rod that is about the same price that you would pay in a store or less including shipping from the state of Oregon that does not have taxes on retail items. I have Steve make me six lines now for different two handers and each one has been perfect. If you take the option of buying a lot of different lines you are only throwing your money away. There is no such thing as a magic rod and line combination. The magic comes from within you with lots of practise. Good Luck.

[Alomar]

Is there much of a difference learning on land say at a park vs. out on the water ?

[Sandman]

Is there much of a difference learning on land say at a park vs. out on the water ?

A little, as the resistance of the surface tension of the water helps load the rod as you pick up line, once airborne, it makes little difference.

[Ian Forbes]

There are a couple of little secrets that can help a beginner, or even an average caster, and both can be learned on a grassy field.
1. DON'T extend more line past the rod tip than is within the tapered forward section. In other words, if the forward taper is 45 feet long then no more than that should extend beyond the rod tip. You have to shoot the remainder. that is why if you need to make long casts then purchase a line with a longer forward taper. I have a Joan Wulff line that has a ridiculously short forward taper. It is almost impossible to make a 50 foot cast with that line.

2. Constant tension on the line is what makes good casts. Try keeping your line in the air with easy back and forth false casts until you get the rhythm. Then, DO NOT OVER POWER YOUR FINAL STROKE! That will cause the fly to hang up on the leader... called a wind knot. Just let the power of the loaded rod to make the final cast.

3. When you get the rhythm of false casting and keeping the line under Constant tension, the try a little line hauling to increase line speed. That is done with the hand opposite to the one holding the rod. It is a little tug on the line just after the line has started moving forward. Evetually you will learn to do it on both the forward stoke and the back stroke.

[sandy999]

A little, as the resistance of the surface tension of the water helps load the rod as you pick up line, once airborne, it makes little difference.

Here is one final tip for you that will really help you learn to cast better on the grass. Just Google (how to tie a grass leader) and you will find out a lot of information that will really help. The object of the grass leader is that the tag ends on each side of the leader stick out and catch on the grass in order to give you more tension on your line as the water does in the river. It is a little bit of work, but it really works. Hope this helps.

[HOOK]

Here is one final tip for you that will really help you learn to cast better on the grass. Just Google (how to tie a grass leader) and you will find out a lot of information that will really help. The object of the grass leader is that the tag ends on each side of the leader stick out and catch on the grass in order to give you more tension on your line as the water does in the river. It is a little bit of work, but it really works. Hope this helps.

If your learning to single hand cast then you should have the line in the air NOT using the grass to help load the rod. Grass leaders are only useful if your learning spey/switch casts because they mimic the "grab" of the water


remember there should be a defined STOP before you change direction (forward/backward) this allows the line to full extend which is what loads the rod properly. This stop is barely longer than blinking your eyes though

Watch this episode if you wish OR skip ahead to the casting instruction parts - go ahead and watch all the vids as well. Many of them have casting stuff in them as well

http://howtoflyfish.orvis.com/video-lessons/chapter-one-the-basics-of-fly-fishing

Good Luck and welcome to the exciting world of fly fishing 



PS - Alomar if your near the Langley area or don't mind drving this way I would be more than happy to get together and help you out. I have taught a few people to cast. Trust me when I say its a lot easier than it looks and also helpful to have someone help get you started whether its a friend or professional

[sandy999]

If your learning to single hand cast then you should have the line in the air NOT using the grass to help load the rod. Grass leaders are only useful if your learning spey/switch casts because they mimic the "grab" of the water


remember there should be a defined STOP before you change direction (forward/backward) this allows the line to full extend which is what loads the rod properly. This stop is barely longer than blinking your eyes though

Watch this episode if you wish OR skip ahead to the casting instruction parts - go ahead and watch all the vids as well. Many of them have casting stuff in them as well

http://howtoflyfish.orvis.com/video-lessons/chapter-one-the-basics-of-fly-fishing

Good Luck and welcome to the exciting world of fly fishing 



PS - Alomar if your near the Langley area or don't mind drving this way I would be more than happy to get together and help you out. I have taught a few people to cast. Trust me when I say its a lot easier than it looks and also helpful to have someone help get you started whether its a friend or professional

Hook,I can see a lot of merit in your words. To me a grass leader is very good tool for both styles of casting not just double handed casting but also single hand casting. Lets say that a person is single hand casting in a boat on a lake and all of a sudden a fish rises within casting distance. What does the average caster do? Often he will try as hard as possible to retrieve his line and fly and then cast to the rising fish. I mean able to hit the spot where the fish rose. In all the years that I have been fishing I rarely see many anglers that are successful at this task. Often they may come close but most often they do not hit the exact spot. This is just one of many uses in the practice of grass casting. A good example is place a object on the grass, a cloth, a can, a pail or anything else that you can see and place the object anywhere from 40-60ft. away from you and cast at a 90 degree angle away from the object and then practice picking up your line and fly (usually just a small piece of wool no hooks, that you can see from apprx. 60ft. away) and cast at the object that you have placed on the grass. One of the secrets here is to keep your eye on the object and nothing else. One last fact is that it is useful to learn how to Spey Cast with a single hand style rod. Once you practice and learn this way of casting you will never regret the time spent learning. You will be amazed how fast that you can change direction with a single hand rod whether you are fishing Lakes, Streams or Rivers. This style is also a huge asset when Cutthroat fishing and are able to cast to their rise. When you are out fishing and you see another angler that can really work as one with his rod just stop fishing and watch the person and learn. Practice and watching makes the whole learning process easier. A grass leader is a great tool to use when practicing any style of casting. Just relax and enjoy yourself. If you wish to watch some really great casting M+Y Fly Shop is holding another Spey Day March 29-9:30 am.-5:00 pm. The location has now been moved from Peg Leg to Gill Road. If you do not know where that is just "Google" Michael and Young fly shop and all the information is right there.