Wednesday, November 12, 2014

{Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Re: New to fly fishing - advice on gearing up a 5/6 wt?

You'll see a bunch of old posts for this same topic if you search something like "new" or maybe even "what do I do" or something like that.  Your rod is fine for a lot of fishing around here -- I'd do this:

Get a 5 or 6-weight, WF floating line.  If the rod is graphite, go with the 6-weight line since you're "warm" inclined. Sinking lines suck on fly tackle -- I can count on one hand (my left one, "stubby") the number of times I use my depth charge line and still pick my nose with the other 3 fingers (not at once, one has to wait its turn).  Plus, they're made from Tungsten and/or lead, which are Enviro-no-nos and everyone here knows how much I want to save the environment first, and then fish second (I also don't like adverbs).  

Don't sweat tippet size too much --  Rob ties a good tapered leader with something like 20 > 12 > 8-pound test and I generally do the same for warm stuff.  It works well.  If you really want to buy tippet spools (and there's nothing wrong with that) pick up tippet in the 0X - 4X size and you're set for "warm".  I don't start with tippet spools until you get to 5X.  

I hate clouser minnows -- you can have all mine at the next tie if you want.  I never fish 'em anymore.  I do much, much better with marabou/rabbit/CDC/soft hackle fibers/etc. streamer patterns. I like movement in my patterns, for virtually everything actually.  Bucktail is lifeless and it stinks up my materials bin too.  Unfortunately for me, I know a LOT of hunters and have a surplus supply.   

Blue poppers are all everyone uses around here -- it actually began as a ploy to get rid of a lot of baby blue fabric paint in a factory in Harrisburg, PA in the late 80s.  Now the fish are used to them.   

Gene











On Wednesday, November 12, 2014 12:28:06 PM UTC-5, Patrick Kearns wrote:
Hey all,

Having stalked this group as a spin fisherman for general DC fishing advice for a while, I've officially been bitten by the fly fishing bug.  Something like 10 years ago, my dad bought us both Cabela's fly fishing starter kits, which were casted a few times on the lawn, and then allowed to gather dust.  My dad was kind enough to dig my rod back out and get it down here to me, so I plan on using that rod until it breaks, or I get into the sport more and want to replace it.

The plan is to get fully outfitted for Christmas, so now the question is:  What on earth do I need?

At the moment, I have:

 - One cheap three-piece rod (the stamp says 5/6 weight, and I believe it's 8'6")
 - One reel
 - 10-year old fly line of unknown weight and dubious quality

From what I gather, I need:

 - Line (5 weight? Floating vs. sink-tip? Taper?  So much to know here!)
 - Leaders 
 - Tippet (3X?)
 - Some flies (looks like there's some good advice in other posts - clousers, wooly buggers & a popper or two?) 
 - Vest/storage, clippers, other accessories.

I gather that this size setup is mostly going to be good for panfish & small bass, so that's what I plan on targeting.  Recommendations on what specific sorts of gear to get for fishing in the area  (especially Fletcher's, the Tidal Basin and the C&O) would be greatly, greatly appreciated!  (Any tips on extras to modify the setup to be serviceable for trout and for the shad run would also be great!)

I plan on making it out to a few Beer Ties this winter so I can pick up a little first-hand knowledge, and repay kind advice in tasty, tasty beer.

Thanks, y'all!


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