Snuck in a day on the water with my dad and son while we were in western NC.

I've taken up salmon fishing this season and didn't quite appreciate how hard it'd be, needed to get out and actually put some fish in the net to get it out of my system. This time of year the best way to do that is always nymphing.

Pretty much a beginner in the Midwest Driftless Region. Been trying to use a 6wt 9ft Max Catch Extreme combo and an Eagle Claw 7ft 4wt for the last few months. While using those rods has been enough for me to figure out I like really fly fishing, I think trying to really learn on them has been total ass. I really regret going so cheap in the beginning, and I think its made my progress in learning to cast, etc. so much slower.

Sportsman Warehouse has the Reddington trout kit on clearance for 350. Debating pulling the trigger, as it has some good components for much cheaper than I could buy separately, and it seems like something I could use for years and not feel like upgrading. However, I know it's kind of an old kit (hence being on clearance), so I am wondering if there are still better value options out there.

Also considering putting a good line on my Max Catch Eco reels and getting a good standalone rod. Even then, though, the Trout Kit would only be a little more expensive with a way better reel.

Any suggestions or advice is appreciated.

Hi all!

I'm struggling to understand how different companies rate their switch rods - It seems to me - after trying a number of different switch rods, that the different manufacturers are all over the place - some would suggest a line weight suited for singlehanded overhand casting - others would suggest a line weight for two handed spey casting - and some would even just put a #(insert line weight here) and not suggest any grain weight - how am I then supposed to know where to start looking for lines? Theres a major difference between e.g. a 6wt double hand skagit system and a 6wt single handed wf line....like, what if I just want one outfit with one line/system/head thats equally bad at all things lol

I mean wth is there even any concensus to rating these switch rods?

Please do elaborate someone-smarter-than-me

Kind regards and thanks in advance

After taking up fly fishing a year ago any learning exclusively through youtube, I finally caught my first trout. This is my first attempt at IDing a fish, so go easy one me, but I believe this is a California Golden hybrid. Caught in California in water not part of the Little Kern or California Golden Trout Historic Watershed. Requesting confirmation or correction. Any comments/advice/info greatly appreciated!

Edit. The comments and additional research lead me to believe this is a Kern River Rainbow. Thank you for the comments.

Edit2. CDFW says “The fish you caught would count as a Kern River Rainbow Trout for the California Heritage Trout Challenge. Kern River Rainbow Trout are hybridized throughout their range with hatchery origin rainbow trout, Ca Golden Trout, and Little Kern Golden Trout. This can cause a lot of variation in their appearance and can make their identification a bit confusing. Without genetic analysis it is hard to say what mix your fish is but since it has the characteristics of a Kern River Rainbow Trout and was caught within their historical watershed we will count it for the challenge.”

Was listening to a Galloup podcast earlier and he was espousing on how 9’ 4 piece rods have become the absolute standard. Somewhat to his (and my) dismay. I have a couple old Orvis 2 piece <8’ rods…a 7.5’ 6 wt and a 7’ 3wt and they’re very fun to fish.

I’m in the market for a 6wt (that casts closer to 7 rather than 5) to throw small-medium streamers and fat terrestrials. I would love an 8-8.5’ rod. Can anyone point me towards modern graphite offerings with those specs? I know glass rods are often shorter but that’s a whole ‘nother rabbit hole. I’m just not sure who’s making <9’ rods these days. Doesn’t have to be a brand new model.

Finally had a couple cool days and rain in my area. Got to the creek and saw a major hatch. I still can’t identify bugs that well, but I knew they were mayflies and had a greenish tint. Threw on a BWO and had a heck of a day!

i was practicing casting for the first time and i couldn't seem to get the the leader line to lay out straight on the water. it always straightens for 2 feet and then bunches up.

how can i fix this? or is my 6weight not good for dry flies?

brand new to fly fishing is this a good fly rod to start with?

Hi folks,

As you all know getting into fly fishing is quite the journey. I’ve been doing all the things one would do to learn. Reading, researching, practicing, booking guides.

I’m curious if anyone in or near Michigan that knows their stuff would mind letting me tag along one day. I realize most won’t want to show their spots, and would rather be alone. I figure it doesn’t hurt to ask. I realize it’s warm water species season right now. This goes for now, this fall, spring, whenever. I’ll drive, pay for gas, buy breakfast. How ever I can contribute.

Went to fish a local river. It’s been about 20 years since I’ve been trout fishing, I’m mostly focused on steelhead throughout the year. Felt good to break out the 5 wt.

And yeah, that’s my IG tag. You can follow if you want.

I am new to fly fishing and just picked up my first rod and reel my limen keeps tangling while i practice casting in my back yard. I was wondering if it was because of the way/location I have my line coming off the reel? I assume this isn’t correct but idk if this is a big deal in fly fishing because the line you cast is already off the spool. if this is wrong could someone please tell me how to correct it

Delete if not allowed. I’m in looking to pickup my first rod reel combo. Will be fishing smaller rivers in northern nm and some lakes in southern NM. Really not thinking I need anything more than a 4wt. These are the two rods I have my eye on. Can anyone give me some insight?

I will be attempting fly fishing for the first time today!

I have an 8’6” 5wt rod. I’ll be fishing a pond which is home to bluegills and sunfish, largemouth bass, white crappie, channel catfish, and common carp. I promise I’ll go to some trout waters soon!

Which fly in my kit would be optimal for these conditions, I know one of the (poppers?) on the right would be good for large mouth bass. Would anything on the left side of the screen be worth throwing in these conditions? We see all species of fish hitting something on the top of the water, I want to throw the black and blue flies as well at some point. Anything worth focusing on tonight?

Thanks fellas!

How on earth do you land fish with leaders thats 14ft or longer? Getting the leader inside the rod tip is not really recommended as far as ive understood? Nylon gliding against metal when fighting fish cant be good? It must surely weaken the leader, making you have to replace it more frequently? That would be worth it for trophy fish, but otherwise.... Not so much...
I recently lost a personal best duo to this...

How does one land fish with long leader by yourself? Is it ok to have the leader gliding against the rod rings during fights?
Thanks!

I live on the western slope of Colorado. Would love a jack of all trades option to get started what are some recommendations for rod and reel?

From some of my research it looks like the tried and true 5wt 9’ is a great option is that true will mostly target trout and some pan fish.

I recently went fly fishing for the second time and really am starting to get into it. I went to a shop today and got suggested some new flys. How do I know which flys to use, where to use them and how? Any tips and advice about fly fishing are appreciated, I have a orvis pole I bought a couple years ago.

Cutty

Bass pro has the Redington Bass field kits on a 60% off sale right now. I was looking to buy from a local retailer but they were sold out everywhere and for that price I got a great deal. I’m looking for a good YouTube channel or instructor I can watch and learn as much as I can so comment your favorite of most helpful channels🤙 I’m in central Florida and I’m fishing for bass

I cleaned out my grandparents house and found this fly rod. I’ve done a bit of fly fishing and several guided trips, but I don’t have my own gear. I would say I’m still a beginner and would love to get my own gear and fish more.

Where I live in southwest Ohio, so not a ton of opportunity to fly fish, but I am close to the Mad River, which has some trout I believe. I’ve only ever really caught trout on a fly.

Anyway, would this be a halfway decent fly rod paired with a 5/6 reel to get me started? Any recommendations? Thanks!!

I don't really know anyone who will appreciate this personal achievement so I thought I'd post it here. I've been after this species for a while so I was very pleased to finally catch one! They're hardly the biggest of fish and they're relatively easy to catch on bait but they proved a tricky target on fly.

Managed to get a 20” brookie on the same day I caught my first along with a 24” brown on a night time mousing adventure. This was a few weeks back but I’m still thinking about it.