Okay, so I talked the parents into giving me my Christmas gift early. Stopped by CA in West Ashley and picked up a TFO 8 wt rod and a G. Loomis Venture 7wt reel. From everything I have read on here, this seems to be about the best set-up available that is still within a reasonable price range. I just have a few questions about it, being that this is the first time I have ever used the long rod.
First, how do you practice casting it? Would it be okay to go to a football field and practice throwing it at various distances? I work with a rec. department, so it’d be really easy for me to slip out to a field on my lunch break to get some practice in.
Second, what about maintenance? That is, what should I do after every fishing trip. I usually just flush my spinning reels with freshwater and they’re good to go, but I didn’t know if there was anything special that I needed to do to the fly reel/line?
Third, what is your best advice on fly fishing this area, or just in general. What frustrated you the most when you first started out and what did you do to fix it?
Sorry for all the questions, but I’m hoping to get as much information as possible so that I can make this as enjoyable as possible. I’m looking forward to the challenge, but any tips/advice would be great.
CA has fly classes but I would imagine some of the guys there would “get you going” since you purchased there. They have a small area in back for casting and also a casting “analyzer” machine. </font id=“blue”>
CA has fly classes but I would imagine some of the guys there would “get you going” since you purchased there. They have a small area in back for casting and also a casting “analyzer” machine. </font id=“blue”>
The WA store has a little area and I would bet they would be glad to offer you some pointers. Absolutly practice anywhere you can. It is great to really learn how the wind will impanct your cast.
I just rinse my rods and reels down after each use, but then again I do not get to use it as much as I would like.
Practice casting:what I did is practice in a grass field first and set up something you can aim for. Also I would just drift around areas and really get a feel for throwing on the water.You will be fine on the field at work though. I would take a piece of leader and tie it to the end so your not eating up your loop knot. Really dont need anything special for a leader.
Maintenance:Flush the reel and rinse the rod as well. I usually take the reel of the reel seat and spray it down really good then I take a papertowel to the flyline to make sure it doesnt have a bunch of buildup on it. Not the entire line but the parts you were casting. I also wipe down the rod and reel with a towel.
Fly fishing this area well it depends on what type of fishing you want to be doing and what type of fish you want to target. I am really into sightfishing and right now its mostly a low tide thing looking for redfish on the flats. You can also target trout which I dont do much by blind casting some areas you would think would hold them with a clouser or a pattern that you prefer. You can also fish dock lights at night for trout/reds with the fly which ive been enjoying alot lately.
What frustated me the most was learning a proper cast(im still no expert) and then trying to catch a red on the fly in the grass. Spend numerous trips casting on fishes heads and just downright spooking alot of fish but man was it worth the time and effort.
I have a great video that I would lend you that will get you started with a decent cast and I really think youll enjoy it and have a place to start after watching it. I remember holding that flyrod in my hand after I bought it thinking what do I do now:frowning_face:
Plus I will gladly help you in anyway I can if you want to run over to Mount Pleasant sometime. I can definately give you some good pointers and get you in the somewhat right direction.
It is definately a challege but its worth every minute if you ask me. I kinda see it as one of those thi
CT gave you some great advise. Always practice with a leader on your line. Also, casting in a field is great, but get on the water ad practice as well. Learn to double haul. As to maintenance, always flush em, store your reels with te rag open, and if your reel has cork drag, a little 3 and 1 oil will do the trick, if you don’t have the expensive reel lube.
Jeremy, I will definitely send you an email soon - I’d love to get that video from you. I don’t have to work Monday, so maybe I can get up with you then to get it from you. I’m also thinking of maybe getting out in the boat and practicing casting some while drifting in a creek, but we’ll see if I can get that worked out.
Fishin–I’m getting a fly rod for christmas as well from the parents and have been reading as much as possible on here to try and figure out where to start, how to practice, where to fish, etc…so since you already have yours if theres any advice you could offer on going about picking out rods, and if theres a prefered set up, id really appreciate it.
Also, this is really to anyone…I dont have a boat and im looking to get some waders for christmas this year so i can do some inshore fly or spin fishing. does anyone have any suggestions on where to go, or would i jjust be better off getting the kayak? im still getting the waders so that i can fish the broad up in columbia this winter…but im pretty new to fishing down here and anyyy help is greatly appreciated. ive waited a couple months before i posted so i could gain some general knowledge. once again thanks guys yall seem like a great bunch. and chasin tail i really enjoy your reports man keep up the good work. i hope i can be like that one day.
Thanks in advance to everyone for your help or advice! Allen
FishinFrenzy - See Josh at the WA Charleston Angler. He is an avid Fly Fisherman and can help you with any questions. He has always been very helpful to me.
I’m new to fly fishing as well. From everything I’ve read on this site, the most important skill is casting. I recall someone posting (I’m paraphrasing) If you can’t cast to the fish, it doesn’t matter what kind of gear you’re using.
Anyway, I spent this weekend on Hilton Head with my girlfriend. The weather was great so I took the flyrod and a clouser minnow down to the beach with a my surf fishing gear and practiced casting in the ocean. Didn’t expect to catch anything (and didn’t) but was able to get in a few hours of practice with a little wind and friction of salt water. Besides, I like practice so much more when the hook is wet. I can always get lucky.
Either way, the weather was beautiful, the beer was cold, the food was excellent, and the expressions on the faces of all the Ohio State alums (no offense) curiously watching me cast a fly into the waves was priceless.
Just my 2 cents: For the guys that are new and want to practice casting, an open area and a few hula hoops laid out at various distance will help with your accuracy. Also tie a fly to the leader and cut off the hook point…this will help, also throw a weighted fly(clouser) to get a good feel. Most newbies throw a tailing loop and have a tendancy to get whacked by the weighted fly on the forward cast. I would also suggest practicing on windy days.
There are some good tapes and DVD’s that can show you some of the finer points, just don’t get bogged down in all of the hype. You don’t need to crank out 90 footer like Chico or Lefty to catch fish. As fra as practice your best bet is to grab the rod and get it wet. Any wet surface will do like a creek, pond, the sound or the surf, just make sure it’s fairly open and you have a clean back cast. While the grass, sand or a parking lot will work, you don’t get the same drag effect that you will from the water which helps you load the rod like you will when your fishing so in my book there’s no substitute for the real deal. Just try to pick a day when there is not much wind and make sure you’re wareing long paints, shirt, hat & glasses in case the fly gets a little squrially on the back cast or delivery. Also think about picking up some lighter weight fly patterns like a Deceiver, Sea Ducer, Shrimp or Bait Fish patterns to learn with then transition over to the heavier Clausers, Copper Heads, Spoons, Poppers or Sliders once you’ve comfortable with the basics. In closoing, thing about using your conventioanl tackle to find and figure out where the fish are and want they want to eat, then once you’re on the fish switch over to the fly rod. Just don’t make it difficult and definately don’t sweat the small stuff just learn and develop at your own pace and enjoy the process, longterm it will transform the way you approach the game!
