OT: Took a fly fishing 101 class tonight....

[CF LION]

Go used. eBay is actually a decent place to find gear, but you need to know what to look for. It's easy for me because I favor rod actions from the late 80's. They might be a half ounce heavier than today's best, but I still contend they're better to learn with. What do you intend to fish for, and where? How old is your son (I'm too lazy to scroll up). No reason you can't gear up for $250 for rod/reel/line.

My son is 14. To get started in the sport, we would primarily be fishing southeast PA streams for trout and small mouth bass. I'd like to get up to central PA or the Poconos this summer for a little better fishing than what we have here. As I understand it, our local streams get a bite warm in the sumner. Who knows where it's would go from there.

 

[Ct. Lion]

Here is a simple inexpensive solution. Go to Cabela's website and buy a Wind River combo setup, WRO - 764-2 which is a package deal for $90.00 bucks including a reel, loaded with a floating line, and a two piece 4 weight graphite rod. I bought this package last year to teach my grand kids to fly fish and found out it is perfect for trout, small river bass and the big bluegills in my pond.
I also have two 5 weights (Orvis and St. Croix), and a 7 weight and a 10 weight from Lamiglass, plus a few old fiber glass rods. The inexpensive Wind River setup is just as smooth and effortless to cast as the more expensive rigs and will work fine on any of the Pa. trout streams.
If you like fly fishing then you can get a larger setup for light saltwater or for throwing bass poppers or big streamers. The Wind River line also has a four piece 5 weight offering too if you want to go a bit larger.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabe...gclid=CMzOi7DtzdMCFce2wAodtjsCPQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[Agoodnap]

Come on guys...I know several of you older birds have a fly rod and reel sitting around that you are never going to use again. Offer it up!

 

[CattyGuy51]

If you are thinking of buying a rod and reel, ask someone that you know is a fly fisherman to go with you. If you don't know anyone, contact your local Trout Unlimited chapter. I'm sure they would help you. I know ours does. NEVER buy a rod without casting it. As was said everyone is different. What is great for me may not be even good for you and price doesn't equate to better casts or more fish.

 

[PSU Mike]

My son is 14. To get started in the sport, we would primarily be fishing southeast PA streams for trout and small mouth bass. I'd like to get up to central PA or the Poconos this summer for a little better fishing than what we have here. As I understand it, our local streams get a bite warm in the sumner. Who knows where it's would go from there.

Are you ok waiting to see how it catches on with you before you'll fly anywhere to ffish? One way to save $$ (and the rods actually feel marginally nicer) is to pick up some 2 piece rods.

For small streams I think these are absolutely fantastic deals in the 7' #5 and 7'6" #5-6 configurations.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/barg...63680/sc/105764580/cabelas-cgr-ii/2459266.uts

 

[CF LION]

Are you ok waiting to see how it catches on with you before you'll fly anywhere to ffish? One way to save $$ (and the rods actually feel marginally nicer) is to pick up some 2 piece rods.

For small streams I think these are absolutely fantastic deals in the 7' #5 and 7'6" #5-6 configurations.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/bargain-cave/fly-fishing/bargain-cave-rods-reels-line|/pc/105591780/c/105763680/sc/105764580/cabelas-cgr-ii/2459266.uts

Thanks for the suggestion. It looks like my local Cabelas has them in stock. Will take a run there and check them out.

 

[Agoodnap]

Why not try Craigslist. Here is the Harrisburg Craigslist and several posts with the word "fly" appear. Some of this stuff looks pretty nice to me...

https://harrisburg.craigslist.org/search/sga?query=fly

 

[PSU Mike]

Thanks for the suggestion. It looks like my local Cabelas has them in stock. Will take a run there and check them out.

Mind you, most guys like rods this short to be 3 or 4 weights. Personally I think 5 weights are better for novices, but since you can see them up close you can decide for yourself.

 

[PSU Mike]

CF, with which hands do you guys reel? Right? Left? Are you settled in enough that you have a strong preference?

 

[PearlSUJam]

Yes. The geology of the area makes for incredibly diverse and fertile streams. Spring Creek, Little Juniata, Big Fishing Creek, and Penns Creek are the main ones. Incredible fisheries.



That is in the process of slowing way down though as we speak HAHA my wife and I are expecting our first child in July. So Fishing will slow down a bit, but i will continue to fish multiple times a week, even if its only after work!

I fished many of those streams when enrolled, Big Fishing Creek being my favorite. Excellent waters.

Baby due? Check back with us next year and let us know how many hours you made it out this year! Better yet, check back in 8 years when you're doing 2 softball games and 4 basketball games in the same weekend!

As for that type of fishing being expensive, get yourself a $60,000 bass boat and make $550 payments a month and see how many Orvis rods you can buy in a year. Just sayin'!

 

[TheGLOV]

If you ever want to get out let me know. I spend about 100-150 days a year on the water and most of my time is spent in the state College area. Arguably the best area to fish in the country (for how many options there are within an hour of State College)

I will let you know as well please.

Love to fish around Espy's.

 

[UncleLar]

Still is a god lol. He was just selected again to the world masters fly fishing competition (he is a reserve this year, as last year he struggled in Ireland in an all loch style competition). He still travels all over, and coaches up the youth fly fishing team usa members 1 or 2 times a year. He is one of the nicest gentleman anyone could ever meet.

LOL. Agree. These guys were writing like Joe was dead. He's about as spry as ever. Big wrestling fan too. You can find him at most, if not all, PSU wrestling matches.

 

[PSU Mike]

LOL. Agree. These guys were writing like Joe was dead. He's about as spry as ever. Big wrestling fan too. You can find him at most, if not all, PSU wrestling matches.

I assume he's cronies with our own Androcles. I did some long jumping with his daughter Hanna back in the mid 80's. Joe is cool - took his class in 1984 after I'd already had 7-8 years with the fly rod under my belt.

 

[Limestone_Lion]

LOL. Agree. These guys were writing like Joe was dead. He's about as spry as ever. Big wrestling fan too. You can find him at most, if not all, PSU wrestling matches.

There is supposedly a documentary coming out soon about him. They were trying to get funding via facebook and such. www.livethestreamfilm.com
Not sure what ever came of it, but pretty neat.
I have yet to see him without at least a PSU hat

 

[Limestone_Lion]

I fished many of those streams when enrolled, Big Fishing Creek being my favorite. Excellent waters.

Baby due? Check back with us next year and let us know how many hours you made it out this year! Better yet, check back in 8 years when you're doing 2 softball games and 4 basketball games in the same weekend!

As for that type of fishing being expensive, get yourself a $60,000 bass boat and make $550 payments a month and see how many Orvis rods you can buy in a year. Just sayin'!

HAHAHAHA My father used to do the tournament stuff. PA is so weird with its boating laws that he had 2 bass boats at one time. 1 skeeter for the big lakes, and an alumacraft with a smaller motor for most of PA. Unbelivable price tag that comes along with that hobby.

As for the baby, my wife is a nurse, so thankfully she only works 3 days a week full time. I have a few years of hobbies left, but i agree once the sports and extracurricular activities start, I will be in trouble hahaha

 

[UncleLar]

I assume he's cronies with our own Androcles. I did some long jumping with his daughter Hanna back in the mid 80's. Joe is cool - took his class in 1984 after I'd already had 7-8 years with the fly rod under my belt.

She's at a lot of the wrestling matches too.

 

[PSU Mike]

Come on guys...I know several of you older birds have a fly rod and reel sitting around that you are never going to use again. Offer it up!

Give me time here ...

 

[PSU&Trout]

If you ever want to get out let me know. I spend about 100-150 days a year on the water and most of my time is spent in the state College area. Arguably the best area to fish in the country (for how many options there are within an hour of State College)

MY idol! When I break 50 a year I celebrate

 

[PSU&Trout]

Spruce creek is an incredible stream. Reason i did not post it above is due to it being almost entirely posted property now, for private pay to play people. It holds a very high population of wild fish (I am in the wild trout side, and for the most part, hate all stocking of fish anywhere near wild populations), but the rich guy that bought it stocks giant pellet head fish in there for his clients. Ruined it for me and almost all fly fisherman that wish to fish for wild fish.
On the plus side, spruce creek tavern is right there, and one of my favorite places to fish in the state is around the confluence of Spruce and the Little J.

+1 on the Spruce Creek/Little J confluence

 

[PearlSUJam]

HAHAHAHA My father used to do the tournament stuff. PA is so weird with its boating laws that he had 2 bass boats at one time. 1 skeeter for the big lakes, and an alumacraft with a smaller motor for most of PA. Unbelivable price tag that comes along with that hobby.

That's why I fish New York 99% of the time. Less congestion, better fishing, and laws that actually make sense!

Best of luck with the little one! Remember, sleep is your friend!

 

[Limestone_Lion]

That's why I fish New York 99% of the time. Less congestion, better fishing, and laws that actually make sense!

Best of luck with the little one! Remember, sleep is your friend!

I agree. Trout fishing in NY is incredible as well. Just stay away from the Delaware and you will find open water with virtually no one around. I prefer the Syracuse area streams personally. But have not ventured any further upstate, yet.

And thanks on the well wishes. I appreciate it.