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

Your rod is fine for warmwater, but id also roughtly the traditional set up for trout fishing.  Over the years, people have tended to go lighter for trout, but as long as you stay away from the really small streams, you rod is fine for trout.so don't think you are limited to warmwater. 

Either way, you definitely want a flaoting weight forward line, and like the other guy said, I would probably go with a 6. 2x and 3x for leaders.  You can either tie your own or just buy knotless leaders.  The latter is more costly but probably easier. That set up with be good for the canal and the tidal basin. 

 

As a DC fisherman, you are going to get into the shad fishing in the spring at Fletchers.  For that you will need a sinking line.  They are a bit more difficult to cast and I would recommend learning on a floating line first.  But they are essential for the shad fishing that is arguably the highlight of the DC fishing season.   

 

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!

--
http://www.tpfr.org
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