Fly Rod / Reel Combo

[GearJunky]

Hi all
I have decided I want to learn to fly fish.

I have never fly fished before and would be learning from the ground up.
I am looking for your recommendations on a decent setup that I won't outgrow too fast.

I will primarily be using it for Carp from shore and Salmon and Trout in the rivers.

I would prefer to keep everything I need to get started in the $300 range.

I have a basic understanding of the equipment involved but would greatly appreciate suggestions.

Thanks

 

[[email protected]]

an 8 wt would be ideal for all 3, with a large arbour reel of course, you'll need it for the big runs into your backing with carp. you'll want a reel with a good drag on it as well. $300 will be tight, your fly line alone will be minimum $35, a reel will be $100, so that leaves you $160 for rod, leaders and flies? unless of course you can score a good deal on used gear.

I would be looking at TFO and ECHO for rods. and for a reel, I would highly recommend an echo ion, very good reel for $100

 

[Snaggy]

Sometimes Sail has 8wt ECHO SOLO fly kits on sale for just under $150. Got me started and Im still using it. That way you can spend money on other things (flies)

 

[Paul1913]

I second that 8wt combo. I bought an Orvis Encouter combo a few years back at boxing day and used it for a while. It was a steal 169$ or so

 

[GearJunky]

Thanks for help pointing me in the right direction guys.
I'll be at Sail tomorrow and will have a look at some of these then.

 

[[email protected]]

the rods in those combos are usually pretty decent. they cheap out on the reels though, you'll want to upgrade that for carp especially

 

[[email protected]]

add one more to the list, redington.

 

[tombo]

I have the TFO 8-9w nxt combo from bps. Pretty darn nice rod! Reel is a bit on the cheap side, but handles steelheading!

 

[GearJunky]

Thanks for the suggestions. I can see all the accessories adding up too. Leaders, line flies etc. Do you tie your own flies or purchase them?

add one more to the list, redington.

I have the TFO 8-9w nxt combo from bps. Pretty darn nice rod! Reel is a bit on the cheap side, but handles steelheading!

the rods in those combos are usually pretty decent. they cheap out on the reels though, you'll want to upgrade that for carp especially

 

[GearJunky]

So, maybe a silly question, but does that reel you suggested come in multiple sizes? If so would size do you recommend as being large, for carp fishing?
Thanks

an 8 wt would be ideal for all 3, with a large arbour reel of course, you'll need it for the big runs into your backing with carp. you'll want a reel with a good drag on it as well. $300 will be tight, your fly line alone will be minimum $35, a reel will be $100, so that leaves you $160 for rod, leaders and flies? unless of course you can score a good deal on used gear.

I would be looking at TFO and ECHO for rods. and for a reel, I would highly recommend an echo ion, very good reel for $100

 

[[email protected]]

So, maybe a silly question, but does that reel you suggested come in multiple sizes? If so would size do you recommend as being large, for carp fishing?
Thanks

yes it does, i have the 8wt version and 11/12 version for my spey rod
http://echoflyfishing.com/project/ion-reel/

Thanks for the suggestions. I can see all the accessories adding up too. Leaders, line flies etc. Do you tie your own flies or purchase them?

well, the fly line will last you a long time, i've used mine for 4 seasons. spent $79 on the line, so $20 per season, not bad. yes, fly gear adds up quick, but its just like standard fishing, the initial output is expensive, but once you have it, the seasonal investment goes down.

for leaders i would start with 2 packs, which is 4 leaders, and then i would get a couple of tippet spools to extend the life of those leaders.

I tie my own flies, but if you don't have the tools to tie them, its better to buy them.

when starting out, the rod is your biggest investment, the reel is secondary, in most cases, its just there to hold the line, but since you're targeting carp and salmon, you need one with a solid drag.