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Post by Texastroutfisher on Oct 9, 2017 9:45:26 GMT -6
Hello Everyone,
I have a fly rod given to me by my grandfather and I would like to start using it. However, I have never fly fished. I love trout fishing but have no idea on the reel I should buy or line and flys for that matter. I’ll be fishing the LMFR, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. As I’ll be new to this I don’t wanna break the bank starting out. Thanks,
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Post by mirvc17 on Oct 9, 2017 10:13:21 GMT -6
First thing you gotta figure out is what weight rod it is? 3 weight, 4 weight, 5 weight? If you don't know, rods and lines use the term "weight" (that doesn't refer to actually how heavy the actual rod is) when referring to typical uses for a given fish species.
For example, a 3, 4, or 5 weight are typical rod sizes that are used for trout. An 8 weight might be used for red salmon or steelhead. A 12 weight for tarpon... you get the idea.
So you need to know what weight the rod is and get a matching fly line of the same weight and an appropriate sized reel that can hold the line + backing material.
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Post by jonbo on Oct 9, 2017 11:23:59 GMT -6
If you live anywhere close to Broken Bow, take the rod to Eddie at the Beaver's Bend Fly Shop inside the Park. He'll fix you up with everything you need to get started. Warning: You are going to need to invest several hundred dollars just to get started right, but it's just like any other outdoor sport or hobby in that regard.
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Post by golferjeff on Oct 9, 2017 13:51:42 GMT -6
If you will be fishing the LMFR, take it to eddie at the fly shop in the park. Tell him your budget, show him the rod, and see if he can help you. If you have ever seen a guy fly fishing, you at least have an idea what is in store for you. So much depends on what kind of rod your grandfather gave you....... hard to give advice until we know that.
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Post by Texastroutfisher on Oct 9, 2017 15:01:34 GMT -6
Thanks Everyone! In researching it more I may just go with a decent starter kit and give it a go. Another question though, do y’all snip off the barbs on your flies or have a place to purchase barbless flies? Thanks again!
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Post by mirvc17 on Oct 9, 2017 15:26:44 GMT -6
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Post by captwoody on Oct 9, 2017 15:56:25 GMT -6
You should talk to Eddie at the fly shop and hire a guide for a half day. Let him provide the equipment. Water and air is warm enough now that you don't need waders. After a few hours fishing with their instruction you will have a much better idea of your needs. You don't have to go top dollar at cirst.
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Post by jonbo on Oct 9, 2017 16:41:13 GMT -6
I second Captwoody's recommendation. The guided half-day will give you so much info you currently lack as far as what you need and how to fly-fish. . After that Eddie can and will set you up with the equipment you'll need very reasonably if you choose to go that route. Disclaimer: I have no particular affiliation with the fly shop, but whenever I've needed something they've been really reasonable and totally worked with me.
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Post by Texastroutfisher on Oct 10, 2017 6:15:40 GMT -6
Thanks for all the advice everyone! Its definitely appreciated. I'm sure I'll have more questions as time goes on.
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Post by Texastroutfisher on Feb 4, 2018 10:32:48 GMT -6
Thanks for all the input everyone. Duck season is a wrap and my boys and I will be hitting the LMFR in mid March. I have purchased the Echo base combo in a 5wt mentioned above. Here's another question, is there a standard tippet / leader size that can be fished on the LMFR? I know fly size can dictate the size used but was wondering about a general rule of thumb for this river. The Echo package comes with a 9ft 2x leader. Thanks in advance.
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Post by mirvc17 on Feb 4, 2018 11:59:25 GMT -6
Hope you enjoy the Echo rod...There's really no rule of thumb other than try to use the largest tippet you can get away with. This will help you get more fish to the net (and quickly). For example, if the river is dirty and i'm using a medium sized fly, I'd try 3 or 4X. If the water is clear, my fly isn't drifting naturally, or my fly is really small, I'd use 5 or 6X. For tippet, I'd recommend getting 4, 5, 6X spools. You can probably get away with 4 and 5X for starters. I'd stick with nylon tippet for now and hold off on fluorocarbon until you kind of figure things out (casting, tangles, etc)... (especially knots, so you don't waste expensive fluoro tippet). You might consider buying a spool of 3X too, in case you have to cut back your leader (tangles) and rebuild it. I really like Rio's Powerflex Plus nylon tippet--you can get it in 3-pack spools, or you can get tippet spools individually. If you make your way to the fly shop, Eddie will make sure you have what you need. You will eventually need some more 9 ft leaders and most have perfection loops on the butt section. If I recall, that 2X leader is nail knotted to the fly line correct? Eventually that will be problematic...If you wind up getting your leader in a big mess or it gets really kinked from strike indicators, you will have to replace it. You have a few options: 1) Cut the leader off leaving about a foot left so that you may tie a perfection loop at the end and then loop-to-loop another leader to it. 2) Cut the fly line at the nail knot and create your own loop (see www.ginkandgasoline.com/gink-gasoline-fly-patterns/diy-fly-line-loop/ ), or install a braided loop which you can buy. 3) Buy a new fly line that has welded loops. In the meantime, you should be able to attach about a foot of 3X to the 2X (i have no idea why they gave a 2X leader), then attach some 4X or 5X to the 3X. Recommend not stepping down more than two sizes (i.e., 2X to 4X or 3X to 5X) otherwise the knot you make won't be very good and might have some trouble straightening the leader out when you cast. Sorry for the long post... but ask more questions if they come up...
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Post by turfdawg on Feb 4, 2018 12:36:16 GMT -6
Thanks for all the input everyone. Duck season is a wrap and my boys and I will be hitting the LMFR in mid March. I have purchased the Echo base combo in a 5wt mentioned above. Here's another question, is there a standard tippet / leader size that can be fished on the LMFR? I know fly size can dictate the size used but was wondering about a general rule of thumb for this river. The Echo package comes with a 9ft 2x leader. Thanks in advance. Buy a spool of 5X then when you get to the river ask someone if they would give you a tippet ring. Cut off 2' of the 2X, tie on the ring then tie on 2' or 3' of 5X. This will be just fine unless you get a hella tangle then you can buy you a new leader and save the tippet ring. One of these days you could be just like me. Whole lot of stuff and still stink at fishing.
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Post by hankinsfly on Feb 4, 2018 15:35:58 GMT -6
Why not just use 9 feet of 7x tippet for your leader...?
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Post by mirvc17 on Feb 4, 2018 15:37:36 GMT -6
Great idea with the tippet ring. The shop probably has them and they can extend the life of your leader.
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Post by Texastroutfisher on Feb 22, 2018 13:22:43 GMT -6
Thanks for all the advice everyone. I now have what I need to hit the water, so when you see the guy fixing knot after knot don't laugh!
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Post by dainw on Feb 22, 2018 17:56:10 GMT -6
Late to the party here. The kit you have comes with a 2X leader? That might be appropriate for bass but not for trout, at least not trout at the LMF. If that thing is truly nail knotted to your leader, then my suggestion would be to take that to your nearest bass pro, or if you don’t have one close by then take it to Eddie when you get to broken bow, and have them nail knot a loop into the end of it. Then buy some of those Rio tapered leaders that are 5 bucks each (the mono not the flouro, flouro is like 12 bucks for one). You’ll want to get a 9 ft 4x leader. You can use loop to loop connection to attach that to your fly line. Then you can either tie your first fly directly to the end of your leader or tie a surgeons knot and attach some 4x tippet to it and then tie first fly (if you know how to do a surgeons knot).
That’s gonna be the easiest for you by far. Nothing against the tippet ring and perfection loop suggestions those work great if you know what you’re doing. Just thinking about my first time fly fishing, no way would I have been able to do that.
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Post by Texastroutfisher on Feb 22, 2018 18:40:43 GMT -6
Thanks for the suggestion dainw. I have already purchased a new line with welded loops, 3x-5x tippit and some 4x leader. Can’t wait to hit the water in a few weeks and get the real learning started. I have been practicing both, the surgeons knot and the perfection loop.
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Post by dainw on Feb 22, 2018 18:48:03 GMT -6
Oh well then you’re ahead of the game man. Good luck in March.
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Post by turfdawg on Feb 22, 2018 19:38:41 GMT -6
Thanks for the suggestion dainw. I have already purchased a new line with welded loops, 3x-5x tippit and some 4x leader. Can’t wait to hit the water in a few weeks and get the real learning started. I have been practicing both, the surgeons knot and the perfection loop. Fly line sucks Unless you’re throwing some dry flies
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Post by jonbo on Feb 23, 2018 12:03:36 GMT -6
Hey, SWA. If that stands for "Southwest Arkansas", you really ought to consider hitting up the Little Missouri river at Murfreesboro. It's fishing great at this time.
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Post by todd13 on Feb 28, 2018 18:50:27 GMT -6
Hey - did we (SWAfisherman) ever get to the water? Hoping you had a fine day and enjoyed the river. I still like the idea of hooking up with one our local guides out of the fly shop. Smartest thing I ever did with fly fishing (Thanks Cody). Second smartest was attending the trout camp. Third smartest was....haha.
Actually, listen to the podcast 2 Guys and a River. Go back and catch them in order. 20 minutes long and focused on newby anglers like me.
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Post by Texastroutfisher on Mar 2, 2018 14:09:19 GMT -6
Heading up to the BR in the AM! Looking forward to the first hookup on the fly rod!
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Post by dainw on Mar 2, 2018 18:07:49 GMT -6
Good luck man. Less than ideal conditions on the river right now with about triple the normal release through the dam. Fishing has been tough from what I hear.
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Post by turfdawg on Mar 2, 2018 21:17:31 GMT -6
Heading up to the BR in the AM! Looking forward to the first hookup on the fly rod! Blue River? I'm fishing the mystery fly tourney tomorrow
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Post by jonbo on Mar 2, 2018 21:20:59 GMT -6
Fish big wooly buggers, deep! Bounce the bottom with them like they're bass jigs. Tungsten cone heads and split shot added to the tippet, if necessary. Buy a sink-tip leader from the fly shop and you won't have to worry about extra weight. Or use the brightest, most obvious "nymphs " you have, such as San Juan worms or egg patterns fished deep. Use a big indicator and heavy weight.
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