Hi guys (and girls, probably) I'm new to the boards and to fly fishing all together. I have several years coarse angling behind me but the over stocked stagnant ditches they pass as "lakes" these days, just aren't yanking my line anymore. After seeing an episode of "The Accidental Angler" on Dave the other day I had a sudden burst of enthusiasm to try out Fly.

I've done a heap of research on the terminology, equipment and methods - hell I even watched all 20 something episodes of that American fly-school with the incredibly boring yet informative mono-tone instructor on YouTube. So I think I have a fairly good idea of the techniques and theory as a base.

What I am a bit confused about, is where to start with equipment. Rod and reel specifically. I need recommendations on brands, models, new? used? etc etc.

My second question was a local one. My locale being Teesside, UK (sympathy donations welcome). Who can point me in the right direction regarding trout rivers in my "rough" area? Let's say a 50 mile radius.

Aira \o/

Welcome on flyfishing forum.

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New barbless hooks are here

Welcome Aira.

I'd say that you've got some quite reasonable rivers within 50 miles of Teeside. You've got the Tees itself as well as the North Yorkshire rivers and also the Wear if you head north. You'll get lots of advice regarding tackle but you won't go far wrong with a 4/5 weight rod of around 8-9ft in length as a first river rod. I think any reel of the appropriate size will do the job you require of it - it all depends how much you want to pay. I'm sure there are those on this board that can give you more specific advice regarding both local rivers and tackle.

Good luck.

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resist much, obey little

Walt Whitman

Aira, welcome to the forum,

I too have only just started fly fishing after switching from coarse angling.

The type of rod you require will depend on the type of water you intend to fish.

The others will recommend things to you better than I can but I would suggest 9ft 5# for small still waters and rivers or if reservoir fishing say a 10ft 7#.

And there are plenty more in between.

I would suggest you try before you buy as different rods suit different types of casting.

I would thoroughly recommend some lesson first as you will benefit more from these than any rod.

The other thing to consider is your budget.

Trawl through the forum mate there is heaps and heaps of stuff on here to help you.

Enjoy.

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Jim

My only worry is that when I die,my wife sells my fishing gear, for what I said I paid for it

Welcome to the forum Aira. Seems you've had the same "revelation" as me. No more stinky bait in the car (well only occasionally!) . I wish I was living up near you, far more stuff to go at from what I hear, but others on this forum will doubtless give you best advice, they're a good bunch of people by and large.

Richard

Welcome to the forum Aira,

Theres already some very good advice above which I agree with. I would also say that you don't have to spend a fortune on rods and reels etc to get you started and beyond. The length of rod and line weight will be according to the size of rivers you intend fishing. I'm just starting in river fishing this coming season and have just purchased an 8'8" #4/5 rod. If you are fishing small streams you could well go down to 7'#2/3 probably but the boys who river fish on here are far better prepared to give advice on the matter. I would however go to a tackle shop near the intended rivers and have a chat with the proprietors also who will no doubt give you local knowledge and advice.

Thanks for the warm and quick replies chaps - much appreciated.

I've dug around in some of the older posts and sort of settled on the Greys GRXi 8'6" #4/5. So I then looked at reels. Starting with the GRXi reel range it apparently doesn't come in anything below a #6/7 ... OK a bit weird making a rod with no model range reel counterpart but there we go.

So I looked at the G-series reels - great they go to the lower sizes; bummer that they come in #3#4 and #5/6. So which way do I go? The rod I fancy seems to be in the middle

/slits wrists

Hi Aira - welcome to the jungle my friend Good advice already given, but one thing I would add is to think carefully about the flies you will be using. As a newcomer, you are rightly thinking about the rod combo, but the really important part of the gear is what you wave in the fishes face Don't be tempted to buy a load of cheap cr*p flies from the discount brigade. There will be those who disagree with me, but I would encourage you to buy a good selection of quality flies from quality fly tiers. There are some excellent tiers on these boards and one or two of them tie commercially. Two guys whose services I use are Sage and Spidersplus. I would contact both of them by pm and get them to knock you up a nice selection of nymphs and dries for the rivers. Then you can and fish with confidence!

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"A homeward tramp thro' mist wrapped night,
With heart and creel in common light,
Complete content, the day has brought it,
They fished for pleasure - and they caught it"

P F Morgan
taken from the catch record book at Llanthony Hotel, Honddu Valley, Aug 1942

www.monnowlogue.com
www.monnow.org.uk

Hi Aira

With all that research you have done under your belt can we ask you some questions .

Welcome to the forum. I hope you stay a while.

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[COLOR="Blue"]"A fish seen is a fish nearly caught"[/COLOR]

Go for the Greys g series rod and reel combo you'll not go far wrong with that at the price.

It will be more expensive than the internet, but your first set of kit is the most important, visit a good tackle shop specialising in Fly and they should let you try the rods, and give you some good advice, im not from your neck of the woods so i cant recommend any but im sure there's pleanty on here who can

For river fishing the reel is really just there to hold the line, its not fighting chair type fishing, although it is very enjoyable.

Regards