Just wanted to pass on a thanks to Mad Mike and several other of the CA crew in Mt P and West Ashley for all the help last week. I had been looking for my first fly setup and the more research I did, the more I found out how little I know. Searching old CF.com forums for advice on fly fishing gear also proved that opinions are like a–holes… everybody has one and everybody thinks that every one else’s stinks! 
Mike dropped some serious knowledge on rods/reels and had a ton of patience for my ignorant questions. Over the course of a few days last week he and others let me cast a ton of rods and gave me some invaluable casting lessons while pointing out the bad habits of a inshore spinning fisherman.
Now I see why everyone says to throw as many rods as possible to make your decision. Twice I thought I knew what I was going to buy until I looked at a new rod. I thought this one cast like a piece of rebar, this one cast like a wet noodle, this one is smooth but a little too loose… In the end, VERY happy with a Ross Flyrise reel and 9’ 8wt TFO BVK rod. I can cast it pretty well already with the instruction I got and some practice, but still see I can grow into it even more with experience.
Thanks again to the Angler crew. They helped me piece together what feels like a setup that costs a lot more than I spent, and I should know after all the demos… If you are looking for gear, give them a shout (or any other local shop) and I’m sure they’ll help you as well as they helped me. And don’t forget to keep it local!
