Want to try fly fishing...

But have no idea where to start...  I'd like to do some trout fly fishing this winter, both on the yak and in streams/rivers on the shore. I just wanna get out and give it a shot since I've been a bit bored of trout fishing recently.   

But I don't have much of a clue on what I should be purchasing.  I've eyed the Cabelas combo starter packs, for a decent price which come with a bunch of stuff to get started. 

But which one to choose?  4, 5, 6 weight?  Is a shorter length better for trying it from a kayak?  If i'm stream fishing, I guess that;s floating line, but for lakes you want a sinking line?

Please help clue me in

Thanks!

I guess you can start by reading/taking the Fly Fishing 101 class 

http://www.flyanglersonline.com/begin/101/

I've spent over $500 so far and been learning over a year now but still a newb in this sport!  Welcome to the Mad-Madness 

But have no idea where to start...  I'd like to do some trout fly fishing this winter, both on the yak and in streams/rivers on the shore. I just wanna get out and give it a shot since I've been a bit bored of trout fishing recently.   

But I don't have much of a clue on what I should be purchasing.  I've eyed the Cabelas combo starter packs, for a decent price which come with a bunch of stuff to get started. 

But which one to choose?  4, 5, 6 weight?  Is a shorter length better for trying it from a kayak?  If i'm stream fishing, I guess that;s floating line, but for lakes you want a sinking line?

Please help clue me in

Thanks!

Longer rods are generally better from a kayak since you are sitting so close to the water. I'd start with a 5wt since that is a good "all around" trout rod. For me, I started out with the Cabelas Genesis combo and that worked just fine for me. Sure, there's better gear out there but this combo got me in the game. I also bought a cheap spare reel and loaded it with sinking line so that I could switch from dry fly presentations to trolling with a sinking line easily.

I've been tinkering with fly fishing for about 10 years now although I haven't used any of my fly rods in about a year. You'll get a lot of opinions about what you should get, but I'll tell you if all you want to do is troll with a fly rod then all you need is a cheap combo. The expensive gear is all about the casting action of the rod, which doesn't matter if you're trolling.

Do you remember what happened last time I tried to show you how to flyfish?
Andy had a flyrod and wanted to try it out. So I tied on a leader, went to grab a fly from my gear, and came back to find a broken rod....
Don't buy whatever brand that was! I think it was Shakespeare.
Those Cabelas starter kits are fine. Go with a 5 or 6wt and buy a spare spool like Jay said. An 8'6" rod s/b fine but a 9' m/b better for the yak. There are so many different types of lines that you'll go crazy trying to figure out which is best, etc. Keep it simple and follow Jay's advice about sinking and floating line. Although, you probably won't use the floating line as often (but it's good to practice with because it's so much easier to raise when it's time to recast). I assume you'll be doing more trolling from the yak than actual casting. So you might need a new Scotty holder...the under-the-leg thing doesn't work as well w/flygear, for many reasons.   

Yeah, go for it.  Agreed that Cabela's combos are a fine way to start.  My first couple of rods and reels were scratch-and-dent returns I picked up in Cabela's Bargain Cave.  My vote would be for a 9', 4-piece, 5 or 6 wt rod.

I fish a floating line almost all the time, lakes or rivers.  Even when the trout aren't on the surface, you might want to, say, fish a sinking nymph on a floating line.  Usually when the fish are really deep I don't think of it as fly-fishing time, I guess.

The old advice was to avoid 4-piece rods and stick to 2-piece.  Today's ferrules are good enough that you don't gain much with the 2-piece, and the 4-piece are so much easier to transport (especially for air travel and on brushy trails) that they seem to be becoming the new standard.  If you know you're only going to be driving to your fishing, you might prefer a 2-piece.  Either one is fine.

You'd be missing out if you never cast your line.  Casting can be tricky, but it's not hard to get to the point where you can get your line out well enough to catch some fish.  Oakland and San Francisco both have casting ponds with associated clubs.  Great places to practice.  I've been to the Oakland pond--friendly guys, seemed eager to help newbies.  You'll probably save a lot of time, trouble, and bad habits if you get a little basic instruction.  I know they have scheduled free casting lessons on certain days, but you could drop in pretty much any time and get some good free help.
http://oakland_casters.tripod.com/

Here's a list of fly fishing/casting clubs in California.
http://www.flycaster.com/clubs/alifornia3.html

Edit:  A few more things.  To conserve $, the place to cheap out is the reel.

You'll want a few flies.  Orvis is usually expensive, but this intro offer of 20 flies for 10 bucks is great.  One per household, but get a couple of friends to order more for you and you'll have a nice starter set.
http://www.orvis.com/store/product.aspx?dir_id=758&pf_id=76TK&cm_ven=performics&cm_cat=Coupon+Cactus&cm_pla=PP&cm_ite=875&adv=875
For more flies, the evil-Bay is awesome.

If you don't get one of the Cabela's branded rods, Temple Fork Outfitters has a good reputation for value.  My Echo rods seem to be pretty good deals.  Albright's website has a lot of deals on it right now, somebody here posted something about that.  
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,15451.0.html
Hook & Hackle can be a good source for reasonably-priced basics, including rods and combos.  I think their house brand line ($25 this week) is decent.  Sign up for their weekly email.
http://shop4.mailordercentral.com/hookhack/

In case it helps, here's my basic list of everything I'd want to get started.
--rod
--reel
--fly line
--fly line backing
--a couple 9' leaders, maybe 5x size.  Just tie on new tippet as it breaks off, the leader itself lasts longer than you'd think.
--a spool of tippet, or several (4x/5x/6x range)
--1 fly box
--some flies (see above)
--waders (plus wading shoes if waders are stocking foot)
--The Curtis Creek Manifesto (*the* best intro book)
--nail clippers for trimming knots
Edit to include pgangler's items.  Yeah:
--fly floatant
--strike indicators for nymphing
--forceps for removing hooks

I think that would about do ya.  After that gear seems to show up on its own...

I'm in the same boat as you, but here's what I've come up with so far.

Check this out:
http://www.reelflyrod.com/product.sc?productId=103&categoryId=26

I think Z(??) spoke well of Reddington's Crosswater gear as good starter material. For $99 you get it all, including the line.

If you want to step up a tad from there (maybe it's a step up, I don't know) this sale looks good.
http://www.albrightflyfish.com/fly-rods/gp-fly-rods.html  [Thanks TroutNut] I got my rods off eBay, but I'm ordering a couple of their reels for the 8/9wt. This http://www.wyomingflyfishing.com/Greys-GRXi-Fly-Reels-P1977C285.aspx is more cost effective for 5-6wt (four spools) $80, free shipping.

Also, just finished "The Reasonable Art of Fly Fishing". A good read, very helpful, and cheap (used) at Amazon.

fwiw, from one newb to another 

Ben

More links to discount flygear: http://www.sierratradingpost.com/outdoors/22786_d-fly-rods/all/

Oh, and one of the local PBS stations airs a show "The New Fly Fisher".  It has that dry, un-flashy PBS vibe, but you can learn a lot (I did).

Anyone know what channel and when?  I had my DVR recording all the episodes, so I never thought about it.

I agree with Elvis' list and suggestions.   Big "Yep" on the 4-piece rod.   I started flyfishing back before they made decent 3 and 4-piece rods.   Transport of my 2-piece is a major pain the A$$.   Just been too cheap to replace it, I guess.

A few small things to add for the beginner:
Floatant for the dryflies - it's amazing how much better they present to the fish when they're floating right.
Strike indicators (read bobbers) for the nymphs - typically foam balls or bullets that attach to the leader.   It's incredibly hard to see fish taking nymphs when you're low to the water.   Brightly colored indicators make this a lot easier.   Some say it's cheating, but personally I'm here to catch fish.
Forceps to remove hooks (for trout fishing).

All of the beginner packages are a good way to go for getting started without sinking $XXX.XX.   If after a while you find that you'd like to cast further, check out better flylines - the line finish can make a huge difference in casting distance.

I would also recommend learning how to cast from a standing position (either at a pond, lake, or swimming pool) before you try to get good at this in a yak.   It's easier to understand the casting dynamics when you've got more height above the water, and aren't worried about drift and stability.   The biggest problem in a yak?  Line management.  Someone had recommended putting a towel over your legs (and of course, keeping the deck clear), and that would be a big help to minimize line tangles.  No matter what you do, expect your line to get tangled up on everything - it happens to everyone.

Ron

I'm a hack flyfisherman as well- been doing it all my life and still suck (and haven't had the rods out in over a year). One thing that looks totally silly, but will actually teach you to cast - get a Fly-O.

You can buy one-- its a 3 foot rod with 15 feet of fat fuzzy yarn attached - i don't recall the conversion, but if you can cast 10 feet of that yarn, flipping flies with a 5wt is a cinch.
Its easy enough to make one as well...kiddie rod, and the fattest yarn you can find.

Awesome suggestions guys!    I think im going to go with the Cabelas combo pack (http://tinyurl.com/yfgpomt), and get an extra spool while i'm at it.  Think i'll go with the 9', 4pc, 5wt and find a beginners book to read.  Have a few videos a friend gave me, some good online tutorials, etc.  Should be fun! 

I hadn't thought of trolling flies actually, but that seems like a good way to have fun with a fly rod on a yak!  But the main reason I want to try is to learn to cast, and all the different techniques for trout fishing.  Plan on doing some stream/river fishing this year, and this sounds like it will be a lot of fun (albeit possibly frustrating!) 

Might as well get two of those rod Focker! You owe me one!

you just missed the Fall Fly Festival in Lodi this last Friday and Saturday, lots of vendors and free hands on instructions offered. 

Flycasting is like golf. You can get the best equipment and still SUCK, a lesson is important. Someone to show you how it is supposed to feel. Flycasting is all timing and finese. If you go see the guys at California Flyshop up in SanMateo, they will probably give you a few pointers for free, if it isn't too busy. If I wasn't winged, I'd give a few pointer and get you down the right road. Right now, I'm just getting this one handed typing down and trying to figure out how to zip up my own pants with one arm.

San Jose Flycasters has a casting pool in Los Gatos Creek Park in Campbell. If you go there on a Saturday or a club event day, you can pick up so casting pointers.
http://www.flycasters.org/casting/casting.html


Good equipment is important though. The rod does most of the work, the flyline is the next most important, then the reel. Only consider 9' rods as a beginner. I prefer 10' rods in kayak which helps keep the line in the air and clear of the bow/stern, but 9' is ok for all around use. Stay away from shorter rods. 6 inches DOES make a big difference going shorter, 8 foot rods are a pain in the but on a kayak. (think of it like choking up on a hammer, less power available.)


 

Albright Rods has a closeout sale every year about this time. Right now is that time of year. Good mid-level and premium rods for 80% off retail. Too cheap to pass up. Closeout rods don't have the full warranty, BUT if you break it, you can send it back with $29 and the send you a new one. Great Deal.

Topwater is a great starter rod [uril]http://www.albrightflyfish.com/fly-rods/topwater-fly-rods.html[/url] GET THE 4 PIECE 9' 5/6 WEIGHT ROD. You can't touch a 4 piece rod anywhere else for $37.50. Normally $125!

Bugati reel 5/6 size $35 bucks. Great deal on a $250 machined bar stock aluminum reel. If I didn't have a duffel bag full of fly reels, I would be loading up on them. (they make GREAT X-MAS gifts)

http://www.albrightflyfish.com/fly-reels/bugati-fly-reels.html

If it was me, I would then take the rod/reel to local flyshop, and buy a Rio Mainstream WF6 floating line (weight forward 6 weight floating line) retail $40.

Add a 9' 5x ( ~4lb) trout leader or a 9' 3x ( ~ 8lb) bass leader, and you have a rod for most lakes, streams and rivers you will ever fish. ( panfish, SMB, LMB, trout, shad, summer steelhead, carp under 10 lb. (fun on topwater flies), Jacksmelt, Mackerel, neighborhood cat...

For Striper, Winter Steelhead and tougher LMB conditions, Saltwater fishing go 8wt or bigger.


I just noticed Albright has a kit rod (just add water) for $60, it is a less fancy reel but it will do the trick for trout and smaller fish, I don't think I would get it near salt water.

http://www.albrightflyfish.com/topwater-9-5-6-4-piece-fly-rod-outfit.html

GET 4 PIECE ROD! You'll thank me later.

watch this and go on Youtube and watch part 2&3.

Don't forget to check out Redington Fly Rod combo's as well.  I do a fly fishing guide service around the Fresno area, and have worked my fair share of fly shops.  In my opinion I would go to the local fly shop and get set up there.  The smaller fly shops will help you out alot more than an over the phone sales person.  Some shops will throw in casting classes with the purchase of gear, or work a deal in other areas.  My other piece of advice, (if your looking into seriously fly fishing) put your money in the rod over the reel.  A good rod will last you a lifetime if you buy up.  Remember all fly rod companies have a set price, what you see in cabelas will be the same price as the local shop.  Plus your able to feel the rod, and test cast it.  Hope that helps out.