looking to get into fly fishing

[njdevils908]

looking to try my hand at some fly fishing. now ive read a little on the topic but dont know pretty much anything. i was wonder what length and weight rod i should get and possibly a few flies to start out with. any input would be helpful. i will be doing pretty much only trout fishing with this.

[acabtp]

there's a really good fly shops in parsippany and califon (i don't think either sponsor NJF so i won't call them out specifically). i'd highly recommend stopping by whichever is more convenient for you. either place will be happy to spend an hour or more answering any of your questions and going over what setup is best for the kind of fishing you want to do. the gear is all pretty much sold MSRP so you won't get hosed much if you do decide to buy there, but good stuff ain't cheap, be prepared. it's really the best way to get into it... i screwed around for a while on my own before i went to a shop who got me dialed in that same day. it's what they do. good luck out there man! the trout have been rising like crazy lately for the stonefly hatches... i haven't broken out my flyrod yet this year and have regretted it the past couple outings

shoot me a PM if you can't find these shops and i'll send you the info. they're both pretty well known it shouldn't be too hard.

[saltfisherman]

Nj, a 4-5 wt rod will be fine for trout. In 8.5 or 9ft. Go with something less expensive in way of a rod and reel setup. You won't need a good drag for trout here and the rod itself you won't feel any difference between a rod that's $50 and one that $550, other then overall weight. You won't need a lot of backing, the NJ fish don't exactly run great distances. The rod tip won't even see the backing.

Keep it simple and see if you like it. This same outfit can be used for lake fishing Sunfish, crappie and bass.

Most of the trout fishing in NJ is short lined affair. No more then the leader plus few ft of line outside the tip. If you do dry fly fish the length of line out will increase some. Your not going to be double hauling, you'll be roll casting the most if subsurface fishing.

Flies. Nymphs,
Gold ribbed hairs ear
Pheasant tail
Black stone fly
A streamer or two

[Capt. Lou]

Originally Posted by njdevils908

looking to try my hand at some fly fishing. now ive read a little on the topic but dont know pretty much anything. i was wonder what length and weight rod i should get and possibly a few flies to start out with. any input would be helpful. i will be doing pretty much only trout fishing with this.

Check ur PM'S !

[AndyS]

All great advice. I started out with streamers. Most fun I had with a fly rod was with poppers for pan fish and bass.

Try contacting your local Trout Unlimited group, there are many though out the state.

[birddog]

soft hackle hares ear and a wooly bugger will catch fish 90% of the time.

[EJS]

If you are looking to buy equipment for the first time, start with either a 4wt or 5wt 7'-9" to 8'-6" rod. Spend $200 or so on the rod, having a rod that loads well and recovers will make the difference in your presentation. The reel you can go cheaper on $75 to $100, should get you a good starter setup. For lines, I would suggest using a Weight Forward Floating line (WFF) with 20# backing. Use the Albright knot to connect them. If you are after trout, you want tapered. I use the Scientific Anglers Mastery textured. Keep you color low visible.

Line dressings, I would suggest the green Mucilin silicon. I have heard good things about the Loon as well.

Leader, buy the tapered leaders to start, 5x - 7x in 7.5' or 9', good brands are Rio and Scientific Angler. Buy a roll of tippet 5x - 7x. This will allow you to extend the life of the tapered leader. You will need some small egg shot or split, size 4 or 6. You can fish Mono or Fluorocarbon Leaders, difference is light transmission under water, durability and flex. Fluorocarbon is more expensive, it stronger & more abrasion resistant If you are on a budget, go with Mono.

Tools you will need, leader straightener, fly dryer, float and sink, and forceps.

Here comes the fun part, fly selection. I would start with Wooly Buggers (sizes 8 & 6 in Olive, Black, Brown and White. Basic streamers like the Mickey Finn, Grey Ghost, Muddler Minnow are also good to have in the box. For Dry's, I would suggest the Blue Wing Olive in loop wing, dun, and emerger. That's a go to in NJ! Buy your flies according to hatch, don't go out and spend $700 on every fly in every pattern, its a waste and you will run out of box space.

I was out Yesterday, saw some Blue Quills, Tan Caddis, Hendrickson, and Blue Wing Olive.

Hope this helps. If you have any questions feel free to post or PM, I will try to answer them for you.

[briansnat]

I agree with the 4-5 wt rod, 8-9 ft. You can get a really decent beginners rod for a good price at LL Bean or Cabelas.

Fly fishing can be incredibly complex. Wet or dry flies, streamers or nymphs, emergers, etc. Sinking sinking line, floating, matching the hatch. The best fly anglers can match whatever hatch the fish are feeding on and they know nearly as much about the insect life on the stream as any biologist. That may be something to work toward, but for the beginning fly fisherman in NJ I think you will be most productive nymphing and using streamers.

Start with a tapered, sinking tip line. Get yourself some Gold Ribbed Hares Ears, Woolly Buggers, Muddler Minnows and Grey Ghost streamers and fish the stream the same way you've always done with spinning tackle. Start with learning the roll cast (check out Youtube for tutorials). It is easy to learn and is ideal for most narrow NJ streams where you have branches behind you. You can get away with a cheap pair of hip boots if you are roll casting and nymphing or streamer fishing.

You don't need an expensive reel because it is just a line holder and you will likely just strip line to land the typical NJ stream trout.

You can have a very productive trout fishing life simply using nymphs, streamers and roll casting. Once you've perfected that then you have the option to move on to the more complex elements of fly fishing. I know them all yet usually spend 80 percent of my trout fly fishing in NJ with nymphs and streamers. A very productive way of fishing for trout, particularly in the spring.

I have a fly rod I don't use, so PM me if you are interested. It's not the greatest rod, and 8' 5/6 weight but is fine for a beginner. I don't believe it's ever been used. No charge, but you have to drive up to West Milford to get it.

[liveitup1.75liter]

Id highly recommend hitting a local pond for sundogz n sum bass!!! Just to get the hang of everything.. stick with it!!! pays off BIG

[Bergen Angler]

Here's a simple set up for you.

7 or 8 wt rod, reel & line as it can handle up to lunker bass unless you are real good then you can use 4 or 5 wt for any fish.

Clouser.. go with clouser for fresh, salt or any water..