{Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Re: Fly Rod Suggestions for Florida

Awesome.  Thank you all for the suggestions.  The suggestion of Jim is particularly interesting.  That IMO, may be the most viable solution as it allows him to have a better shot at fish while learning the art.  He can then take the skills and invest in an outfit if he finds fly fishing to be worthwhile...duh!  I passed this thread along to her and I think she has a much better idea of what to do.

Thanks!

Gregg

On Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at 11:02:19 AM UTC-5, Gregg DiSalvo wrote:

Hi, I have a friend near St. Petersburg, Florida who would like to get a first fly rod for her boyfriends who has shown interest in the sport.  I recommended a mid tier rod instead of a starter pack, but the price point is up to her.  Where I couldn't direct her was with the size setup for the area.  It's right on the coast so a lot of fishing is to be had in salt, but if somebody is beginning, is it easier to learn inshore?  Many of you fish both inshore and salt in Florida, and I am looking to you for weight recommendations.  8-10 weights? Slow or fast action? A decent versatile warm water fly line (don't know if there's a good universal floater for salt and fresh).  

Ultimately, this guy has never fly fished and may or may not hate the sport.  I'd be surprised if she wanted to drop a fortune, but could imagine spending 2-300 on an outfit.  Not top notch, but not beginner.  Im thinking pairing a Behemoth reel with an beginner/intermediate rod.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.  Sorry for any naive ideas or requests in the above.  I have never fished down that way.

Cheers,

Gregg  

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Re: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Re: Fly Tying Materials - Reasonably Priced

I’d have to chime in and say there are quality deals to be found for premium product.  Whiting's has their best hackle graded, and is the genetic dry fly hackle.  The Hebert/Miner is a classic Catskill-style hackle that isn’t dyed, and is also affordable.  Their High & Dry product is very good and a lot less expensive than their other 2, and although we recommend it for folks looking for affordable alternatives, we’ll be stocking the previously mentioned lines, as well as other materials from companies that send us great stuff.

There’s a reason you hand pick your own materials in stores, and most reputable shops will make sure to stock quality products.  We do the same and hand-pick materials for orders.  We send back sub-par items to the manufacturers.  A previous employee was once caught on the phone barking at a vendor for sending him a half dozen Bambi bucktails once.  I won’t say who it was, but his name rhymes with Schmizzly.

There are some mentioned companies, like Collins that make a good product.  Charlie Collins is upstate NY and I’ve bought his hackle before, but there’s no comparison to what Charlie sells you for $45 (grade 2 or 3 neck and saddle) versus a bronze Whiting half saddle for $50.  You’ll get long, more usable feathers that are consistent in color.  That means more flies tied per feather, and the right color and size.

Regards,

R

PS – Yes Lane.  Sometime next week we’ll make an announcement.

From: Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders <tidal-potomac-fly-rodders@googlegroups.com>
Reply-To: Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders <tidal-potomac-fly-rodders@googlegroups.com>
Date: Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at 1:39 PM
To: Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders <tidal-potomac-fly-rodders@googlegroups.com>
Subject: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Re: Fly Tying Materials - Reasonably Priced

I recognize this is only somewhat responsive, but I'll give you my take on what I had to learn the hard way.  Basically, your question sets up something that's impossible to answer, in my view.

I do not believe there are "discount ... quality necks and saddles" for dry flies.  I would (and do now) pay extra for high quality dry fly hackle.  I no longer order dry fly hackle from online sources due to a couple of hard lessons and wasted cash.  I want to see the dry fly hackle, so I am always on the lookout at local fly shops (even those I'm patiently waiting for).  In the past, when I didn't have local shops, I did try online and ended up with a couple of bad stories.  Necks and saddles that were bug-infested in a couple of instances and in another couple of instances the quills were so brittle from either a drying or dying process, I presume, that I couldn't use them, they broke.  And there was the black neck that was a dark purple.

BUT (this is more responsive to your question), I think you can go discount for wet-fly and bugger hackles.  (I ended up using the dark purple neck on my buggers.)  Again, I am always on the lookout at the local shops because I want to see what I'm getting.

On Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at 10:25:05 AM UTC-5, Flyrodva wrote:

Anyone have suggestions on where to buy reasonably-priced fly tying materials?  Especially online sources.  But, area sources or stores also helpful.  Looking for discount materials.  Especially interested in reasonably-priced decent quality necks and saddles for tying trout flies sizes #14 - #22.  Thank you.

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{Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Article on Whiting

Thanks to our fellow fly fishers over at Fly Anglers Online who posted this link.
Nifty article on Mr. Whiting and his birds/feathers.

Whiting Article in Mile High Magazine

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{Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Re: Pickerel - Seeking spots/tips

I just called Quantico MCB and they said just bring $10.00 to the Quantico Game Check Station on base and you can get the permit. I assume there will be some paperwork to fill out too. But seems easy!

Thomas

On Wednesday, December 6, 2017 at 10:47:46 AM UTC-5, Andrew Sarcinello wrote:

Certainly!

On Wednesday, December 6, 2017 at 10:41:26 AM UTC-5, Bobby Davis wrote:

Perhaps a post outing report would be in order...

On Wednesday, December 6, 2017 at 10:35:34 AM UTC-5, Andrew Sarcinello wrote:

Robert,

Thanks for the tip on Western Branch - I turned up some stream survey data that indicated pickerel are present in a few of the tributaries, but I wasn't sure about the main creek.  That seems to be the closest option for me by far, so I will surely get out and do some exploring.

On Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at 4:21:18 PM UTC-5, Robert B wrote:

 I used to fish the Patuxent River in the winter time and catch Pickeral, though this was on conventional rod and reel.  The skinnier woodier sections up the Western Branch in Upper Marlboro MD were pretty good.  We were always in kayaks and boats though.  Plenty of white perch, yellow perch and crappie as well.

On Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at 3:40:50 PM UTC-5, Andrew Sarcinello wrote:

Dear TPFR'ers,

I'm planning on doing a lot of exploring this winter in search of these toothy mini monsters.  I've done extensive research on my own, and it seems like there just aren't many places within an hour of northern VA where I live that have them.  Some places I've read about include Mattawoman Creek, Severn and Magothy Rivers (which are almost entirely private property), lower parts of the Patuxent River, and just about everywhere on the Eastern Shore.  I've only gotten around to exploring Tuckahoe Lake and Creek and have had good success there, but that's far enough to basically demand a full day trip with the short winter days.  They really hit flies with a vengeance, and I'd like to find somewhere closer to chase them.

One of the biggest problems I'm finding is accessing the places they live on foot.  I do not have a kayak or other watercraft.  Tuckahoe Creek is basically a swamp with a lot of braided channels and muck, and unless you're close to the trail crossings and other heavily fished access points, it takes a lot of effort just to find solid ground to get into casting position.  

Appreciate any help others can offer - whether it is spots to check out or just general tips on fishing for them with flies from shore.  Feel free to message me directly, I'm willing to share info I've gathered in exchange.

Here's one I caught this weekend in Tuckahoe Creek on a mud minnow pattern.

TIA,

Andrew

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