Fly basics

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Hey VK, I live in Santa Rosa and I see you do as well. I could teach you how to tie some basic patterns to get you started. Then you can use U Tube to find really good step by step instruction on how to tie any pattern under the sun. Thats how I tie patterns I never tied before. I dont tie dry flies if that is what you are interested in I couldnt help you. I like to tie Streamers, wet flies and nyphms these are all pretty easy. sometimes the easy ones are the best like Wooly buggers or clousers minnows. david

What do you plan on fishing for Vic?
The line and rod you use is determined by the species of fish your targeting.
In most situations you match your line wt with the rod wt. (5wt rod uses a 5wt line...)
The reel size is determined by the line.
For me if I was fishing trout i'd used a 4wt or 5wt rod.
Steelhead, 6wt-7wt-8wt rod.
Smallies & largemouths, 6wt-8wt
Lingcod, 10wt

We could me up at the casting pond sometime(noon works best most days) and I'd be happy to let you try a few set-ups.

Cool, keep me posted and hopefully I can meet-up with you guys, otherwise most days during the week around noon work for me.

I would be down for a cast and chill sounds like fun!!

Hey Vic, I found these two books in my library, you are more than welcome to borrow them as long as you would like, and when you are ready to start tying, I have many many more plus videos, if you have a vcr, 

here`s what I have : Sage 2 piece ,graphite III 590 RPL #5wt 9`0  2 7/8oz (Fly/ lure weight ?) w/ Lamson 2 reel w/#5wt.

Nice, I'd fish trout anywhere in norcal with that.

I like Rio Gold as an all around line but I use a Rio Nymph line when I need to turn over lots of junk.

Once you get your casting down, Marcos can show you some advanced casting like how to buzz your head by false casting a #2 heavily weighted stone fly 

I fly fished the Walker this year for the first time. What an experience.
East Carson was nice also. It's a drive from Santa Rosa for sure.

Another closer place for you is Cold creek above Mendocino.
Closer into Potter Valley had some better spots on the fly.

Dunno with the low water what's up there this year.

You can catch almost everything with 4 flies
1. Adams
2. Hairs ear gold bead nymph
3. Wooly bugger
4. Clouser minnow

Yeah I know, match the hatch, blah blah blah but seriously those 4 will get the job done over 50% of the time. Almost everything is on YouTube.

Agree on the minimalist approach when possible.
A good buddy of mine who was a great tidewater steelhead / silver fly fisherman used to claim that if you new how to fish, the only fly you needed was an olive wooley worm / bugger for all fishing anywhere. I always told him he was full of c--p, but have to admit he is closer to the truth than a lot of us guys that like lots of different pretty, fancy flies would like to admit

VK, I am putting together a small package for you, my way of saying thanks for what you sent me.  I keep forgetting to do it, but I can snag some books and videos from my fly club that we are going to donate now that we are done with them.  I am also going to send you some of my go to flies, I have 3 main flies that I use all the time every where I fish. 

You should get it before Xmas, sorry for being so slow, but need other things to happen so I can put you together a good package.