Northwest Fishing Reports

Just picked up a Bass Pro Shop special and was wondering if anyone has some good online resources for beginners.

The rod is a 9' 2 peice, 6 weight. Five might have been better, but I'm in SE Illinois right now and will be fishing for crappie and bass. The salesman recommended going with a 6 wt so I could use it here as well as back home in Washington.

The reel is a Dogwood Canyon disc drag fly reel.

I've been wanting to learn to fly fish for a very long time, and I signed up for a 3 hour beginners class that BP Shops puts on, but I'd like to check around online for tutorials and such.

You can do an on line search for on-line resources, or even videos, but to be honest, the best you can do is to find a mentor and/or join a local fly club.

I learned the hard way, trial and error, mostly error, from the time I was 8 years old when I would sneak dad's fly rod when he took a mid day nap. If you don't have 50 years to learn, then locate that mentor.

Oh ya, and do yourself a favor. At the club, suggest you have given up all other types of fishing, and that you are now a purist, a believer, a "I AM SAVED BECAUSE I NOW FLY FISH". Multi-species fishermen, and multi-method fishermen, like myself, have dealt with the snob attitudes of most of the fly clubs for years. Personally, I am having troubles trying to convince myself to try another one.

FishFearMe wrote:Just picked up a Bass Pro Shop special and was wondering if anyone has some good online resources for beginners.

The rod is a 9' 2 peice, 6 weight. Five might have been better, but I'm in SE Illinois right now and will be fishing for crappie and bass. The salesman recommended going with a 6 wt so I could use it here as well as back home in Washington.

The reel is a Dogwood Canyon disc drag fly reel.

I've been wanting to learn to fly fish for a very long time, and I signed up for a 3 hour beginners class that BP Shops puts on, but I'd like to check around online for tutorials and such.

I was just curious where you are located? You said that you got a Dogwood Canyon reel.... I fished a guided trip in Dogwood Canyon a couple years ago. I assume you are talking about Dog. Canyon near Branson Missouri? Also the Bass Pro Shop near there?

Like was already said, take some classes in casting and fly presentation. Then practice all the time, and look for anybody who enjoys this stuff and spend time under their wing. If you can't find somebody, just stay on the water and practice. You will meet somebody and learn from there.

Right now we're in SE Illinois, about 40 miles East of St. Louis.

We go to the Bass Pro Shop near Lambert Airport on I-70 on the north side of St. Louis.

I got a great deal on the outfit. Father's day special. Price was good enough for me to convince myself I needed a new ultra-light rod/reel as well.

I grew up in Eastern Washington and we plan on moving back in a few years. I've fished everything from potholes you need a 4x4 to get into, to the mighty Columbia. Northern hike-in streams and lakes are my favorites though. I've never been much of a 'bait guy' and preferred to toss a Rooster Tail instead.

Now I feel like I've about accomplished everything I can using a spinner, and I want something new to challenge me. I've always wanted to fly fish and eventually tie my own.

I'll give it a try as soon as the heat index dips below 100, which might be a couple of weeks

Welcome! Fly fishing will present a number of challenges and opportunities that bait/spin casting doesn't offer. Are you sure your wife will be on board with the expense of replacing literally every fishing implement you have?!

I took up fly fishing at age 12 AFTER being hired to tie flies for a friend's Dad's new fly shop in Boise many years ago. That's a long and boring story, however the result of learning how to fly fish (I'm still learning 33 years later) has given me a new appreciation for fishing in general. Fly fishing is a test of patience, skill and pocket book that is both very rewarding and frustrating at the same time.

As for good resources; I agree with Anglinarcher that getting involved with a club is helpful. I also agree that it can be kind of like joining a county club as well.

For basics you need to learn the basic cast and terminology. A decent on-line resource is Jim Teeny's site. He brands and sells his own line of fly fishing products that he demonstrates in the on-line videos, however the techniques are the same regardless of brand. Here is a link to his Tips Page: (go to the bottom of the page and click on the link for "Fishing & Casting Teeny Fly Lines)

http://www.jimteeny.com/indexMain.html? ... Intro.html

The other videos there a good resources as well.

Also you need to understand the basics of entomology or the cycle of aquatic insects. This is the very genesis of fly fishing. A google search for this will keep you busy for hours.

Tight Lines!!

FishFearMe , keep a few things in mind. I support your thirst for something new, and I have no doubt that you will find the new sport very enjoyable.

Cost can be reduced if you make some of your own stuff. But tying flies is not done to save money. My wife will tell you I have thousands of dollars in tying materials - in reality, it is 40 years of collecting, and I doubt it actually cost that much, unless I had to replace it.

Don't skimp on quality gear. A high quality fly rod will not be necessary, but it adds enormous amounts of fun to the trip. A high quality line(s) is also a great advantage. It can be frustrating watching someone with the right gear casting, mending, etc., with the right gear while you struggle just to keep your not so dry line on top. Still, we all use to use much worse gear then what is available now, so don't start out with the best of the best either. A $75 line that gets damaged by stepping on it will drive you nuts.

I once said that if I HAD to catch a fish, I would count on my fly rods. If I could afford a day without fish, but wanted a chance for more or bigger fish, I'd go with my hardware. I still believe this, and you will find me working my over sized swimbaits for trout and bass on many days. Still, when I need to relax, and enjoy nature, my Winston Boron XTR seems to find it's way into my hands.

Enjoy, and please, don't forget to teach someone else when you are knowledgeable in the ART of fly fishing.

FishFearMe,
The very best online source of fly fishing information for beginners, intermediates or experts is;
http://www.flyanglersonline.com/ . I've been with them for over 10 years and the people there are a wealth of information. Unlike our website here at washingtonlakes, flyanglersonline (FAOL) is only about fly fishing. Check them out. I'm sure you will be impressed.
Now, if you want to learn about more than just fly fishing, then washingtonlakes.com is THE place to be. Both sites have great people who are eager to share information and knowledge.
Most of all, have fun.

Thanks for all the great replies. I'm really looking forward to this challenge.

I watched the Jim Teeny videos, excellent information presented in a very easy to understand way.

I'll definitely check out the FAOL site. I'm starting to understand the concepts of how gear balances together to provide the best presentation. One of Jim Teeny's remarks was about how presentation is much more important then distance. Made very good sense to me.

I don't know much about the equipment. I went to BPS and relied on their expertise. The combo I got was very similiar to THIS ONE, but wasn't put together. The reel was brand new in box, and the salesman spooled everything up for me, showing me his preferred knots for each link. I got an excellent price on the loaded combo.

If things work out, I'll have yet another hobby to upgrade. I'm not sure if I'll be doing the fly tying thing, but I think it would be something fun to try.

I picked up a $5.00 knot helper to help me out with nail knots. It really works well for a lot of different knots. I should have picked up the little knot book as well... next trip.

The worst part is that the heat index here is over 100, and there's no break in site over the next couple of weeks. We might give it a try early this weekend. I'm really hoping we can get some lake time.

Here is a great web page on tying knots:

http://www.orvis.com/orvis_assets/files/index.html

All links added, thanks.

The weather finally broke and I had a chance to try this thing out.

My first attempt actually got the fly out about 40'. I was stoked. I couldn't lay it down gently on the water, but I could pick it up at 40' and put it back in the same area. My 9yr old son told me it looked cool, like a "real fly fisherman" LOL.

I started playing around a little and was able to just touch the fly to the water 2-3 times in an area, then lay it down in the same area. What a blast.

I only got snagged up behind me once, but I was nicking the ground quite a few times.

Didn't catch a darn thing, but consider the day an overall success. Just getting the fly to the water was my goal for the day.

FishFearMe wrote:I only got snagged up behind me once, but I was nicking the ground quite a few times.

Try to remember to not go beyond 1:00 on your back cast and keep your wrist locked and you will eliminate hitting the ground behind you.

The casting motion should go from 10:00 to 1:00 with a firm wrist and when releasing the line to cast remember to "snap" the stop of your motion and you should begin to form a good loop in the cast.

Keep practicing and make sure you practice on water not the lawn. You can't simulate picking up the line off of grass.

Tight Lines!

for any beginners out there i would recommend buying a rod that has a lifetime guarantee. i went with a redington and they have replaced it 3x in the last 10 years.. no questions asked. that said, be careful with your tips and rocks they don't go well together..

I don't know where you live in washington but in kitsap county there is a fly shop named Peninsula Outfitters. When I started to learn a couple years ago i took their distance casting class. at the end of the 3 one hour sessions I was double hauling and able to shoot out all my line. If you live too far away.... Disregard. J/K the other best way is to just get out there and try it and ask other fly fisherman you may see for some advice. Good luck!!!

Update: First fish on! 4" bluegill musta weighed all of 6oz... rod tip broke...

Bass Pro Shop was cool about replacing it. BTW - lost the fish.

I'll try out the new rod this weekend. I can back everyone who has said "buy as good as you can afford" because it will be much better in the long run.

If you live within a reasonable commute to Green Lake in Seattle, check the internet for any beginners classes that may still be available there this year. My father took classes there as did I, it's been going on for decades. Kaufmanns should still have lessons going on so I'd try them first. For the longer classes you may have to wait until next Spring or early Summer unless you want private lessons at a steeper price.