After about three decades absence from fly fishing I'm planning a return this spring. I sold off most of my fly tying and fly fishing stuff thinking I'd never use it again but have changed my mind. I'm now looking at equipment that is much different than what was available 45 years ago when I got my first stuff. Materials and manufacturing methods have made many improvements and options. So many that it's hard to decide where to start. I am going to start small, with one outfit. I don't want to try for a one size fits all approach. If I find this is the way to go, knowing myself there will surely be more equipment to come :mrgreen: I'm going to be fishing for LM bass. The areas I fish, and maybe the northern tier of states in general don't seem to produce the hogs I see some of the more southern fisherman catch. From my experience I'll be dealing with fairly average size fish. From the research I've done it seems like a 9' 8wt rod and a 7/8wt reel would be a good place to start. That's all I have figured out so far but the choices from there are bewildering.
Reels: I've looked at a lot of reels. One basic question is whether a CNC produced reel is better than a die cast. Depending on the brand and price, the die cast reels seem like they might be more likely to have flaws due to casting that could wear the line. The CNC reels, at least in theory should all be machined to the same finish given how they are made. Maybe then the stock they are machined from then becomes the main thing. I don't know anything about the alloys. Some makers use 6061-T6 stock. That means nothing to me.
Rods: I have an old bamboo rod that was my dad's. It was used when he got it 60 years ago. I'm a little afraid to use it. I have an old POS 2-piece fiberglass with metal ferrules. Used to be that rods with metal ferrules always had a stiff spot due to the ferrules. The modern ferrule-less (if that's what they're called) rods don't seem to suffer from this so multi-piece rods are not a liability anymore. I have been looking at 4-piece rods but am wondering about a travel rod of 5 or more pieces. Is the number of pieces still a big concern? Am I better off with a 2-piece than a 5-piece?
So far I'm looking in the $100-$150 category for a rod and about $100 for a reel. I haven't decided yet but am looking at an entry level Temple Forks, March Brown, Echo or an Orvis Encounter. The reels are many but for about $100 I've found a Wright McGill that looks like it might be pretty ok. I'd love some feedback and advice. It's ok to be frank. I'm not afraid of being/looking stupid.
BTW, if anyone's interested in seeing what a $9050.00 - that's nine thousand fifty dollars! - bamboo fly rod looks like, go here and scroll down to the "Epic Series". I didn't check to see whether there is free shipping included...
https://oysterbamboo.com/bamboo-fly-rods.html
Reels: I've looked at a lot of reels. One basic question is whether a CNC produced reel is better than a die cast. Depending on the brand and price, the die cast reels seem like they might be more likely to have flaws due to casting that could wear the line. The CNC reels, at least in theory should all be machined to the same finish given how they are made. Maybe then the stock they are machined from then becomes the main thing. I don't know anything about the alloys. Some makers use 6061-T6 stock. That means nothing to me.
Rods: I have an old bamboo rod that was my dad's. It was used when he got it 60 years ago. I'm a little afraid to use it. I have an old POS 2-piece fiberglass with metal ferrules. Used to be that rods with metal ferrules always had a stiff spot due to the ferrules. The modern ferrule-less (if that's what they're called) rods don't seem to suffer from this so multi-piece rods are not a liability anymore. I have been looking at 4-piece rods but am wondering about a travel rod of 5 or more pieces. Is the number of pieces still a big concern? Am I better off with a 2-piece than a 5-piece?
So far I'm looking in the $100-$150 category for a rod and about $100 for a reel. I haven't decided yet but am looking at an entry level Temple Forks, March Brown, Echo or an Orvis Encounter. The reels are many but for about $100 I've found a Wright McGill that looks like it might be pretty ok. I'd love some feedback and advice. It's ok to be frank. I'm not afraid of being/looking stupid.
BTW, if anyone's interested in seeing what a $9050.00 - that's nine thousand fifty dollars! - bamboo fly rod looks like, go here and scroll down to the "Epic Series". I didn't check to see whether there is free shipping included...
https://oysterbamboo.com/bamboo-fly-rods.html