Northwest Fishing Reports

Hey guys im looking for a fly rod because i just got a new reel and need a rod for it! i was wondering what rods are good in the 20 to 40 dollar range? or if any of you guys have any cheap rods?
thanks

I know it's not glamorous, but I tried out the Cortland 2 piece, 5wt rod at Walmart. It casts nice. It has a nice medium action. The one I own is the 4pc 5-6wt Scientific Anglers that was also offered by Walmart. I've compared it to some of the more expensive rods, and I find that it catches fish too. I've been happy to spend the difference in price between that and the Sage on something really cool like diapers for the baby (woohoo). I would splurge on the line though, because it is the most important factor. Something like a Cortland 555 (or equivalent).
Hope that helps.
Oh yeah. Stay away from Eagle Claw brand.
Where are you BTW?

Why no love for the Eagle Claw? I've owned several over the years and they've always been a nice price conscious rod.

I've cast a bunch of rods around that price, and the eagle claw were the worst. They had less spine than an old 1970's shakespear 4wt. Slow, heavy, dull. If I had one, I'd put it on my wall for decorative purposes, and use a willow with duct taped ferrules. No offense.

None taken but the ones I've had were head and shoulders above any lower end SA or FM Cortland both of those are like swinging a piece of rubber.

Try your local craigslist. Sometimes they have some decent rods. Cabelas sometimes have habe sales on there entry level rods around $40-50! It definitely worth it. GL

CL, probably not the best place for a youngster to be trolling around. If you want to keep the cost under about $40 I'd be watching EBay and don't be afraid to stay up late watching the auctions. I've picked up some dandy rods for under $40 bucks. Don't bid till under the last minute, be all signed in and make your max bid your first one. I've found if you bid early on a fly rod people will think you know something and start bidding of the hook. Watch the auction and bid at the last minute.

I cast a Cabela's Cahill yesterday that came with everything- reel, line, leader, and rod, for $60. I'd buy that if it were me.

Looking to buy a fly rod set up(I have no fly rod experience) and ran across this old thread. Info in this thread is a few years old, anyone have any current recommendations??

Really interested in a kit with everything to get started......as long as it is not something that is going to teach me bad habits that will be hard to break when and if I move up to higher quality equipment in the future.

What do you guys and gals recommend to get started? Thanks in advance!

goodtimesfishing wrote:Looking to buy a fly rod set up(I have no fly rod experience) and ran across this old thread. Info in this thread is a few years old, anyone have any current recommendations??

Really interested in a kit with everything to get started......as long as it is not something that is going to teach me bad habits that will be hard to break when and if I move up to higher quality equipment in the future.

What do you guys and gals recommend to get started? Thanks in advance!

What type of fish are you after besides everything. Fly rods are pretty specific.

Bodofish wrote:

goodtimesfishing wrote:Looking to buy a fly rod set up(I have no fly rod experience) and ran across this old thread. Info in this thread is a few years old, anyone have any current recommendations??

Really interested in a kit with everything to get started......as long as it is not something that is going to teach me bad habits that will be hard to break when and if I move up to higher quality equipment in the future.

What do you guys and gals recommend to get started? Thanks in advance!

What type of fish are you after besides everything. Fly rods are pretty specific.

Specifically, would be for sea run cutthroat and steelhead. Waters would be north and south forks of the stilly. South fork is in my backyard so that is where I plan on learning how to fly fish. Occasional salt water beaches would be in the forecast I'm sure.

It's almost Christmas, add one to your Santa list.

rseas wrote:It's almost Christmas, add one to your Santa list.

Funny! That is exactly what I am doing. Wife keeps reminding me I need to make a list.

goodtimesfishing wrote:

Bodofish wrote:

goodtimesfishing wrote:Looking to buy a fly rod set up(I have no fly rod experience) and ran across this old thread. Info in this thread is a few years old, anyone have any current recommendations??

Really interested in a kit with everything to get started......as long as it is not something that is going to teach me bad habits that will be hard to break when and if I move up to higher quality equipment in the future.

What do you guys and gals recommend to get started? Thanks in advance!

What type of fish are you after besides everything. Fly rods are pretty specific.

Specifically, would be for sea run cutthroat and steelhead. Waters would be north and south forks of the stilly. South fork is in my backyard so that is where I plan on learning how to fly fish. Occasional salt water beaches would be in the forecast I'm sure.

It sounds like you really are looking to get into some two handed action with a spey or switch rod, mainly for the salt. Unfortunately all the mfgs are very proud of their two handed rods. You could get away with a 6-7 wt for the Sea Runs and you'd be about smack on for upwards of 8-10 lb on the river. My suggestion would be to look into some lessons through one of the local shops so you can try out what you want and find out what fits you. There's really no such thing as someone just picking out what's going to make you happy. It's not really the same thing as chucking hardware or bait, there's a lot more personal feel involved. Or you could just jump out and buy a starter set and be unhappy with it after a few months and work your way through a succession of rods and reels till you find what makes you happy.

I'd start by checking out some of the local shops and see what they have to offer. Fly gear isn't like other fishing gear, unfortunately its turned into a big bucks game and the spey stuff is even more so.

These guys are awesome, they may or may not have something in your price range but very much worth going in and having a chat, and they have casting classes ect. http://pacificflyfishers.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Greg's Custom Rods in Lake Steven's may not deal as much with fly gear, but still a really nice shop, and you could always take a class and build your own fly rod. http://www.gregscustomrods.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Always try and check out the bargain cave at Cabelas, always some good deals in there

I'd buy a Redington Crosswater. For 70 bucks you're getting a pretty decent rod. I second checking out Pacific Fly Fishers, they are awesome, always pointed me in the right directions, given great advice, and are super friendly and knowledgable. I took a class there a couple years ago, that was great too.