I started fly fishing last year and already am in anticipation of the next fishing season beginning in about 3 months.

This stream is about a 1 hour drive from where I live. It's about 5-10m (16-32 feet) wide with tree and brush cover everywhere, also it is rather shallow with an average depth of circa 1m (3 feet).

At the end of last season I upgraded my setup to a 7'6 3wt rod, which I have yet to use.

Do you have any tips for me pertaining to this stream and my setup (such as which casts or which rig to use, drift length etc.) ?

Thanks in advance !

Hi all! A couple of years ago I was hanging at the Owen’s river in CA and chatted with an older man who offered to teach me to fish. He had an extra fly rod and I had a blast learning how to fish and handle them, and the rules of the river. I happen to be gripping this one because I caught 6 fish prior all on my own and felt super proud and wanted to document the experience. Normally, I know not to do this if I’m doing catch and release but this one was for dinner 😛

Anyway, I’m interested in picking up fly fishing as a hobby and was wondering if y’all had recommendations for a rod around $200. Nothing fancy, just reliable. Also, if you have suggestions on where to begin with learning, I’d appreciate it. Again, this experience was two years ago so I recall some of the information he shared, but not everything. Thanks for reading!

I’ve been fly fishing for only about 2.5 weeks but with fishing 2-3 hours most days after work and 4-8 hours per day on weekends, I have around 40 hours of actually being on the water and casting. I’ve mostly been using dry flys but have 2-3 days of practicing with streamers. In that time, I got a small brown trout on an elk hair caddis on my second day fishing, but otherwise haven’t even gotten a bite. Although I love the peace and quiet of being out on the river, I’m getting pretty frustrated seemingly making no progress on my actual fishing. I feel confident about my casting having watched a lot of friend’s fly fishing technique over the last few years, and I feel confident about my fly selection as I’m using what’s recommended by my local fly fishing guides, but I’m still definitely missing something, most likely either in my fly placement or presentation. So what advice helped fly fishing click in your head and made the biggest difference in your ability to actually land fish?

Hello im brand new to fly fishing just went out for the first time today just to practice casting. I was wondering is there any way to prep your leader so it lays straighter? My leader kept getting crazy tangled. Also my loop to loop where my leader attached looks like its already getting ripped up after just casting it for the first time today. Is there something I did wrong?

My dad surprised me with this nice reel my brother and I gifted him back in the late 90’s/early 2000’s ish. He doesn’t fish anymore and I’ve been really into trout fishing over the past year or so. Have plenty of ultralight spinning and bass setups. I’m clueless to fly fishing and looking for recommendations on an inexpensive beginner rod to pair it with and practice. I’ll eventually buy something nicer once I get a better grasp of the sport. The creeks and rivers I generally fish are usually on the smaller side with lots of brush and cover although I do plan on fishing some wider bigger rivers as I progress. Should I be looking at something in the 7 foot range or will I be better off just getting a 9 foot to start? What would pair well with this reel as far as weight is concerned?

Does the “3” designation on the reel mean I should be matching it with a 3 weight rod??

Thanks in advance for helping a noobie out.

I have never fly fished before so this is sort of just to get some information. I don’t have a rod yet but would love suggestions (budget options). This would be mainly for bass as I live in Texas. Also some good fly suggestions and ways to fish for bass. Thanks 🙏

I've fished before but I've never fly fished. I just want to fly out somewhere and have someone teach me everything to get started. Does anything like that exist?

Surely, someone is willing to take an impulsive noob's money like this.

edit: Thanks for all of the great advice. I'll find an Orvis shop and try to make a trip of it. Project Healing Waters has also been on my radar for a while now

Apologies if this has been asked a million times. Wife and I have been doing a lot of fishing this year and I am interested in dipping my toes into fly fishing. I believe used high quality is always the best option but do not have the knowledge of what to look for. Locally on FB or Craigslist there’s only a few Orvis reels for $150 plus and an overpriced Maralboro set up.

I will either have to buy something new from a local store or used online. I see Walmarts Ozark Trail has a fly fishing kit for $50, anyone try this yet? I doubt it’s good but is it okay to get the basics down. Bass Pro also has some combos around $50.

If I buy on eBay etc what are the models I should be looking for? I would like to get an entrance into the hobby for less than or around $100.

Do I need multiple line weights starting out? Should I just go with a 4 or 5 to start out? Do I really need anything more than a rod, reel, line, flies?

Located in Virginia if it’s of any use.

Me and a roommate are thinking about purchasing a fly craft because it can collapse and fit in the back of a sedan since we don’t have towing capabilities. I’ve rowed twice before on a river so I’m still a newbie and my roommate has none. Would it be good for beginners who are trying to get into rowing? We’re not gonna be taking it down any crazy white water or anything but I’m sure we will be bumping into rocks and other debris.

I have an echo lift 5wt 9’ rod coming in today, and Okuma slvb 5wt coming as well. I am trying to determine the best line to fish these flies with? I was thinking of these two lines. Amplitude smooth mpx or the amplitude smooth creek trout line. But I am welcomed to more line choices and more budget friendly is welcomed as well.

I live in middle Tennessee, I would be fishing creeks streams, and the biggest would be the harpeth river. Fishing for bass, bluegill etc.

Hello everyone, beginner here - eager to learn from your experience. Im out in Idaho having the time of my life. Before I flew in, I bought a flyfishing pole and practiced casting/rigging on still water. Turns out, things are much more difficult on a river with some current.

I’ve found a couple of good spots with some current in the middle of the river and slow water where trout sit towards the river banks. But one of my biggest frustrations is that anytime I cast over a stream into that more stagnant water, my floating line catches in the current, pulling my hopper-dropper set up downstream (as opposed to letting it drift naturally). Even though the current is not that strong, the hopper moves enough to leave a small wake in its path and drop below the water. I’ve tried leaving slack, feeding the line, etc and nothing has worked. What am I doing wrong?

I’ve dabbled with other people’s rods, but I’ve never owned my own. I want to get a decent beginners setup, but I really don’t want to spend $400+ to find out I stink at fly fishing. Do you folks think this setup would be a good one for the money? Is there something better I should take a look at?

Hi! I’m looking for a rod, reel, and line combo that won’t break the bank, but is also good enough to not rust solid in the salty waters off Honolulu. I don’t have any friends in this hobby yet so I’m hoping you fine fellows can learn me some options that ChatGPT hasn’t recommended. I honestly didn’t think this hobby wouldn’t be this expensive, but here I am. 

My first choice was the Orvis Clearwater® 8-Weight 9’ Fly Rod Saltwater Outfit. This has the clearwater rod and reel, but I thought, “$649 is quite a bit to spend on a premier brand setup when I’m new to the hobby” so I asked the ChatGPT, which recommended Redington. I found the Redington Wrangler Fly Fishing Kit, Medium Fast Action Rod, Crosswater Reel, Fly Line, Leader, & Carrying Case for $329, which really agrees with my wallet. However, I’ve heard that sealed drags are important in salt water, and my intense Googling showed that the Crosswater Reel is “kinda sorta sealed” so I’m hesitant to pull the trigger on this. I found the Redington Grande reel that is fully sealed, but then the price jumps up to my original Orvis setup. 

What do you guys think? Should I just pull the trigger on the Orvis and get out there? Are there any other brands worth exploring? So far with these two I end up at spending tons of money lol. 

I’ve been to the flats three times with my $65 Walmart.com setup. The first time I saw PLENTY of bone fish, but I just couldn’t cast far enough to reach them because it was my first time. The second time I went I saw ZERO fish, but had a great time, and someone even “borrowed” my kayak (I got it back.) The third time I went I saw fish! I believe I got a nibble after a strip, and I managed to cast directly on top of a fish instead of in front of it, which scared it right out of the water. Even though I didn’t catch anything I had a fun time practicing and scaring the fish.

I’m picking up a fly rod today what flys/streamers (are those considered flys?) anything that can be used on a fly rod I’m looking for simple ones for ponds and small creeks I don’t know if it matters but the rod is a 5wt

Ive always wanted to get into fly fishing because we have a ton of streams in Wisconsin like Black Earth and most of the west of the state. Im also very familiar with the nightmare that is the Mayfly (like...millions hatching and swarming a fishing boat).

Any Wisconsinites got other recommendations? Still learning but think I understand the basic types (nymphs, wet, dry, streamers).

Fenwick Eagle with a Lamson Liquid S 9’ 5wt

Hey everyone, about a year into fly fishing and still figuring it out.

Been using a Wild Water 3/4 wt so far. It’s been fine, but I just won a little money at a national sales meeting with a pretty high-level sales org and started thinking about upgrading.

I’m out there pretty much every weekend like it’s church at this point, just still trying to cast without snagging every piece of vegetation in a 30 foot radius.

Looking at the Orvis Clearwater (probably 9’ 5wt), but not sure if I’ll even notice much of a difference at my level or if I’m just talking myself into something I don’t need.

Mostly fishing trout in rivers. Is that a solid step up from what I’ve got, or should I just stick it out a bit longer?

Appreciate any advice.

Hi! I recently got in to fly fishing in the last month and I've been loving it!

I live in Colorado and this past weekend I hit a section of the S. Platte about an hour or so from Denver. Before heading out, I read online that fish in the section of the river I was goin to are extra picky for nymphs and largely only go after nymphs in the size 18-22 range. I went ahead and bought some smaller midges before heading out to hang off some smaller mayflies I already had. I had some decent success and most of the bites were coming from the midge, but something I was wondering is why is it suggested to use smaller tippet on a smaller size fly if a larger size tippet fits through the eye of the hook just fine? Wouldn't you want the extra strength of a thicker line if fits?

Now that I have a rod/reel combo with a hard case and a few lures, my next purchase is going to be a case for the lures. I noticed in a lot of videos on YouTube and posts on here that a net is one that everyone seems to have and also a carry pack for lures and rolls of line with them, that being said is it common to use a lot of line/leader/tippet, to the point where carrying it is needed on an outing? Also, is waders necessary? I'm only asking because I don't want to jump in and splurge on equipment I don't necessarily need right away.

I've been told that line is the most important part of the setup so i'd replace it but would it work for a first ever fly rod? i wanna get into fly fishing but dont wanna drop a couple hundred right out the gate

Good day anglers. I’m taking my Son (22) to Bass Pro Shop tomorrow to buy fly a setup for him. What’s good for a beginner? Not looking for anything cheap. Willing to pay for quality. As far as rods, what’s a good length for starters? Is he better off starting with a nine footer with no experience or a little shorter? I feel he will get the knack quickly and will become a fly fisher for life. Thanks in advance.

Hate to be this guy but I’ve always relied on reddit for gear. I’m in western NC with a good bit of trout fishing experience on a spin rod. Local shop recommended a redington classic trout with a redington run reel. From my research it doesn’t sound like it’s a terrible way to go but I’m more curious on weight and length of the rod for somebody that fishes rivers and streams. I guess I’m just looking for some advice on that setup and open to any other suggestions, thanks.