Advice For A Beginner...

[theflyfishingduck]

Dear fly fisherman,
<O</O
I would like some help with getting started in fly fishing? I am a new member to this website as well as to NJ.:applaudit I am from the midwest and I more use to fishing with spin and bait cast rods and reels. I have been doing a lot of research and a lot of reading (books and magazines). :stupid: I would like your advice on what are the essentials for a beginner. Let’s say that I will have about $2,000.00 of spending money :devious: (if mama doesn't cut me off first). :judge: What would your recommendations be from fishing schools, clubs to rods and reels, waders, boots, etc...?
I also would like to found some great places to fish… I live in County (btw <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com

Warren</st1laceName> <st1laceName w:st=" /><st1:City w:st="on">Washington</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">NJ</st1:State> and Clinton, NJ.) and I work in <st1laceName w:st="on">Middlesex</st1laceName> <st1laceType w:st="on">County</st1laceType>. Time is a premium this year with starting a new business and having our first child (due this month). :baby: So I want and need to do this fly fishing thing, so I need to have a good experience the first time out. Now, I understand that nothing is certain in life and in fishing, but can someone give me something close too it. Thank you in advance to any recommendations.
<O</O
Theflyfishingduck (I hope…)

 

[jcstikfish]

Two things:


Where in NJ are you living?


What species of fish are you lookin to target? Trout, bass, saltwater?


While you are waiting for some responses, do some searches on this fine site. You may find answers to many of your questions.


Welcome to the board!

Congrats on your expected!


~James

 

[sstasiak]

Welcome to the site! :hi:

Well let me first say that this is my first year of flyfishing and this site has helped me immensely, as I'm sure it will help you. This is a first class site with first class members who'll help you out with almost any question you may have. Secondly, you can definitely set yourself up for success with a $2000 starting budget.

I'll give you a simple list of things that you'll need as a beginner, and I'm sure the other guys will elaborate on what you should look for in certain things as far as functionality and personal preference go.

1. A fly rod - for pretty much all trout water in PA, NY, and NJ a 5 weight rod will be what you want to go with(Maybe someone can elaborate on the different things to look for when buying a rod)

2. A reel - look for a reel to match your line weight(5wt) with a good drag system

3. Fly line - a good all around line especially with spring approaching would be a 5wt, weight forward, floating line

4. Waders - this is pretty much personal preference but different people swear by different brands and models

5. Vest - there are many types of vest and vest/pack hybrids out there. Shop around and see what fits you best and is most functional for you.

6. Landing net - a nice catch and release net will do fine

7. Leaders and tippet - if you do a search on this site for leaders and tippet, you'll find all the explanation you need as far as what they're for and how to use them

8. Flies - with spring approaching, there is a huge amount of flies that you'll be able to utilize. you can also do a search on this site for a particular river you're planning on fishing and you'll most likely find some info on what to use and when

9. Last and certainly not least.....you'll need time to practice casting, tying knots, and all that kind of fun stuff. I would definitely recommend some instructional casting DVDs and to try to get onstream with someone who knows what they're doing.

If you have anymore questions, feel free to send me a private message.

Have fun!!!

 

[theflyfishingduck]

Thanx

I live in Asbury, NJ (not Asbury Park)... I am up 78 west off of 31 north...

I am used to small and large mouth bass, panfish, along with Mr. Walley Walleye (Lake Eire), but I would just love to go after anything that will give me a good fight....

Thanks for the tips about doing some searches...I will do

Note: Am I doing this thread thing right? It doesn't feel like it.:stupid:

Where in NJ are you living?


What species of fish are you lookin to target? Trout, bass, saltwater?


While you are waiting for some responses, do some searches on this fine site. You may find answers to many of your questions.


Welcome to the board!

Congrats on your expected!


~James

 

[Fly Ty R]

You're between Washington and Clinton? You've gone and sat yourself down in a pretty good area for trout, then!!! If you were to say you lived down by me (at LEAST 3 hours south, and pretty much the exact opposite side of the earth where NJ is concerned), then by all means you can complain all you want about not catching trout...

You've got some good info already. Good luck. I wish I had $2000 to spend on fishing, let alone ANYTHING!!!!

 

[theflyfishingduck]

Wow!!! Great Information

Thank you for responding back with great information and know that I will take you up on the offer of direct e-mails. Do you recommend any good fly fishing class/school in my area. I was looking at the sporting people in Far Hills?

Again thank you for your time....

theflyfishingduck

 

[Petergoodman]

Assuming you are talking freshwater, 5 wt rod is fine. Don't spend too much - you can get something from Temple Fork, Readington, St. Croix or Albright might be good places to start. You can get a decent rod for under $200. Don't be talked into this line of reasoning - spend the money now and get a great rod that you will appreciate for life...you will be a couple years away from being a good enough caster to appreciate a top end rod, and with a new baby (and an empty flybox...) you have other things to spend money on. Also - try the rod in the parking lot. And not by seeing how far you can cast. In the NE 90% of your freshwater fishing will be within 50 feet max. So being able to cast the whole line is jsut a silly exercise. Better idea - pick a couple spots on the pavement at different distances - 20 feet, 30 feet, 40 feet - now alternate casting to these spots. You may find that a "cannon" is not so good at this. Try fast, moderate and even slow rods - you will probably end up with a moderate rod. Go with a minimum of 8.5 foot long - 9 ft is probably optimal. Some discount rods do not come with tubes - get one.

Reels - lots of good reels around - you don't have to go crazy. Orvis Clearwater is good starter. But another thought is to see if where you are buying the rod has a starter set with rod, reel and line.

Line - 5wt, weight forward floating. And get a brigth color - it will be easier to learn to cast with.

Waders - don't get hippers. Get waders. The breathables are the way to go. Orvis, Patagonia, Simms - all have low priced options. And get stocking foot ones - you will need boots too, but they are much more flexible, more stable when wading, etc. Walk around in the store in them, and try stepping up onto chairs (like climbing out of the river).

Tippets - 4X, 5X, 6X - get a spool of each. Keep out of your trunk or sun.

Flies - buy 'em when you need them, from a local shop based on what is needed locally at the time. Then you will not have a selection of flies that sit in your fly box and are never used. Keep them in one box initially - the cloth covered foam ones are good starters. Others are better, but you can add them in later.

Miscl - selection of tin split shot, indicator putty or yarn indicators, clippers (get stainless ones), and from a local hardware store get forceps to get hook out of fish's mouth for about $5. Have decent polarized sunglasses - helps to see fish, as well as the log you were going to trip over. Vest - try it on with sweaters on, and pockets filled with boxes (just borrow some at store) - maybe to start, just use a fanny pack moved around to the front, and skip the vest. Net - you can get a decent one for maybe $50 or so - wood frame, and catch-and-release netting. Discuss at shop how to hang on back of vest. A thing of Gink or similar fly floatant.

Lessons - first two options to look at - check out your local Trout Unlimited chapter - best $15 you can spend to join (and includes a magazine!). They often have periodic classes in casting, as well as fly tying for those inclined. Monthly meetings generally. Just search on Trout Unlimited on the web - you can be directed to a local chapter. Also, shop where you bought rod may have classes. Idea to get feel of casting - don't start by casting back and forth over your shoulder - run 15 feet of line out from the rod tip, hold the rod in front of you, and move it horizontally back and forth in front of you - cast to the left, and see where the rod goes. Now right. What happens if you stop and start your cast crisply vs. accelerating and decelerating more slowly? Now take your wrist out of it - cast with your arm. Get used to this wrist/arm thing. Now try to cast over your shoulder and feel the same stuff.

Fly Schools - I went to the Wullf School a long time ago (Lee was still alive), and they are great experiences. But maybe to start, play around a bit and you may get more benefit.

For now:
1. You have a new baby, and likely a stressed Mom. Don't disappear for 12 hours at a time in the Catskills, or she is going to resent fishing. For now find some local waters - NJ has lots of them. A local pond with sunfish is frankly a lot of fun, and a great way to learn casting, setting the hook, etc. without worrying about the current carrying around your line, or wading. Lots of trout streams too - see your local fly shop.
2. Plan on taking the kid fishing beginning at around age 3 - worms and sunfish are best, esp. in spring when they are bedding - kids like action, and love catching fish - who cares about the size. Tell your wife of your plans now, and when you find a good pond to take the kid when they are older, tell her now. You are not fishing. You are looking for places to spend quality time with the kid to give your wife a break...Started my daughter at 3 (actually had a rod for her under the Christmas tree before she was born...), got her waders at age 7, and her first trout on a fly she tied herself being an 18" brown. Here's the deal - "Honey, have to go up to the Beaverkill for the evening with Caitlin. See ya!" Warning - you may find yourself teaching flycasting to a bunch of Cub Scouts...

 

[sstasiak]

If don't know if they offer any fly fishing or casting classes, but Shannons Fly Shop in Califon is where you should go since it sounds like you're pretty close to there already. If you need info on gear or anything else, that's where you should go to get "hands on" with rods and reels. They are also located right on the South Branch of the Raritan River by the Ken Lockwood Gorge. Check them out at http://www.shannonsflytackle.com/index.html

 

[theflyfishingduck]

Ingenious Plan

Thanks Peter,
For all the great information, especially about the potential wife/mother issues. :argue: It's great that YOU ALL have shared your experiences and wisdom with a newbie like me, I know that fishing will be on the back burner for awhile, but I can always look forward to the future. Once again great information b/c I would have been one of those guys out there on the river with all the newest toys....looking/feeling like an idiot. imp: You guys have been great...Again thanks for the insight...I am having a girl too, so now I must put my (NO) your ingenious plan into action.

Please keep giving wisdom... :indian:

 

[JeffK]

All the advice is good. In the shameless promotion department Hacklebarney TU is giving their annual two day Fly Fishing Course Saturday 4/29 at Hackettstown Hatchery and Sunday 5/7 at Pequest Hatchery. Cost is $75 including lunch.

Contact ron@handyman-central.net for information.

 

[onemorecast_OLD]

You will have plenty of good water around you. Not sure when that new baby is coming, but I would suggest, don't try to get out for long extended days. May and June should be great fishing on the S Branch of the Raritan. Scout out a few spots on a weekend afternoon, try and hit the water for an hour or two just before and leading into dark on a week night ( I tend to find that mid week is less crowded, thursdays start to get busy and Fri-Sun, are just crowded). You will note that just about the time you can't really see, there will be fish rising all over. It is a productive time to fish and it may keep you in good graces with the wife. When my kids were real small, I would just try to steal a couple of hours here and there rather than go for extended time and getting myself in the doghouse.

Not sure if it was mentioned above, but I would go for a weight forward line rather than a double taper. I think you will find it slightly easier to load the rod and therefore cast. Another note, practice casting a lot. Even with the baby, you can hit the back yard and cast any time. I would not do this on the pavement as suggested above. That will ruin your $50 fly line more quickly. Tie on a tiny piece of bright yarn and just start casting. Try to hit designated spots on the lawn (hula hoop works well and you will fine your little girl will use it soon enough as it is supposed to be used) A local TU chapter offered a ten week (2 hrs per session) class back when I first started maybe 16 or so years ago. It was a heck of an introduction and was very cheap. Anyway, your local TU chapter might do something like that. It is worth checking into

If you can hook up with a friend or neighbor, it will help your learning curve to. some times, you just need to see how something is done rather than being told.......good luck

 

[Bill Sell]

More shameless promotion.
Call or stop over to shannon's fly&tackle in califon nj.
we can help with what ever you may need, advice, tackle.
a cup of coffee, we can help.

 

[Roscoe]

Usually if the shop is any good the customers would promote it for you. Shame on you for self promoting. quite tacky.

More shameless promotion.
Call or stop over to shannon's fly&tackle in califon nj.
we can help with what ever you may need, advice, tackle.
a cup of coffee, we can help.

:spam:

 

[Fly Tier]

Whatever you do, do NOT rush into spending your money without reading forums like this and visiting different shops that sell different rods and reels. Not every shop carries everything so do not limit yourself.
A $2000 budget is overkill, although you can easily spend that.
You can do a very good rod, reel, waders, etc... for closer to $1000. If you really want to buffalo hunt, you can do it for much less. When you do decide to make a purchase, do not buy the wooden driver...
My suggestion, before you spend a penny on equipment, take a class or two, somewhere there isn't a wall full of products behind you, and see if you really like the sport. If you go in a shop waving cash, or even post your budget on a site like this, the vultures will come out. HIt a TU meeting, meet people, watch and learn. Most people you meet, that already fly fish, should easily loan you a rod to try if you tag along with them.

 

[rford]

OK, I am going to do you a favor. Trout fishing is very difficult.

You give me $ 1000 bucks, I kick you in the balls and we call it even!

Just kidding, I just always wanted to say that..its from Vacation 3.

Listen to fly tier!

Regards,

Ralph

 

[theflyfishingduck]

This place is great…

I can’t believe the responses I have gotten back. I want to personal thank each and every one of you who replied and viewed my question. After reading all the suggestions I believe that I will start out slow and easy and work my way up. I also reviewed the site and found some locations/teachers that people recommend for classes. However, with the new baby and business does any know of someone (an instructor) who does one on one teaching for someone with a busier schedule? I just need something/someone that is little more conducive to my schedule. Once again thanks again for everything and please keep doing what you are doing…..:worthy:

 

[Scott]

If you live in Asbury the Muscenetcong (Musky for short) is right in your back yard. It will
also only take you about 20 minutes to get to the Pequest.

I would also advise you to start out easy. Do some searches here on subjects like rods, line, waders, etc. and I'm sure you'll find everything you would want to know. If you don't, always feel free to ask!

You also don't have to buy every fly off the bat. Just get what you need for the particular time of year.

For my "happy customer" testimonial: Delaware River Outfitters (http://www.droltd.com). They can help set you up with what you need, and I seem to remeber they offer a free casting lesson if you buy a rod from them.

They also have classes in fly tying and rod building. They're good people who know their stuff. :thumb: