Fly Fishing Kits? 2025

mcwiggles reply : 

I saw a decent looking Fly fishing kit at Wal-mart today for $40. I have never tried fly fishing, but I want to learn, so does anyone know if thes starter kits are any good for a beginner to learn the basics?

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jj'sbassinforfun reply : 

I haven't seen the kits myself. What are you going after and what was the rated(line) weight?

 

For bass I'd try to stay in the 6 to 8 weight rods. I'm assuming the kit is more for trout/panfish and probably a 4 or 5 weight. But you know what happens when you assume?

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flyfisher reply : 

Those kits are worthless in my opinion and while I completely understand not wanting to shell out big bucks to try something I can tell you that fishing the Walmart special will not help you in learning to fly fish.

Go down to your local fly shop and give them a budget and see what they can do to help out, you might be surprised at what they can give you and the personal advice and connection will help tremendously.

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mcwiggles reply : 

  On 7/21/2013 at 8:36 AM, jj said:

I haven't seen the kits myself. What are you going after and what was the rated(line) weight?

 

For bass I'd try to stay in the 6 to 8 weight rods. I'm assuming the kit is more for trout/panfish and probably a 4 or 5 weight. But you know what happens when you assume?

This one I saw was for pan fish. Not sure the exact details. I might pick it up tomorrow. 

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mcwiggles reply : 

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flyfisher reply : 

It sounds like you are set on that set up so go get it and see what you think. I would say to read and watch you tube videos on casting and practice that before you go out. If you can make a decent cast and learn a little about line management you will have a much more enjoyable first time out.

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mcwiggles reply : 

  On 7/21/2013 at 9:13 AM, flyfisher said:

It sounds like you are set on that set up so go get it and see what you think. I would say to read and watch you tube videos on casting and practice that before you go out. If you can make a decent cast and learn a little about line management you will have a much more enjoyable first time out.

Well if I could afford better right now then I would. I just look on cabelas website and the cheapest combo they had was $70. So i think i will get this one for now then maybe when i get paid next week just start saving for a better one if i like fly fishing.

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jj'sbassinforfun reply : 

$40 isn't a big loss. Good starter kit to see if you like it. But you may find quality to suffer some. But as you improve you'll want better gear anyway.

 

Definitely check the vids and practice before you hit the water. Tip: don't start with a real fly. use a piece of yarn to simulate a fly. Heck of a lot cheaper if you snap(whip effect from trying to over cast) one off. 

 

Fly fishing is a woot, But takes some practice. Just remember to relax. Everything needs to be smooth/fluid and no rushing the cast.

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mcwiggles reply : 

  On 7/21/2013 at 9:30 AM, jj said:

$40 isn't a big loss. Good starter kit to see if you like it. But you may find quality to suffer some. But as you improve you'll want better gear anyway.

 

Definitely check the vids and practice before you hit the water. Tip: don't start with a real fly. use a piece of yarn to simulate a fly. Heck of a lot cheaper if you snap(whip effect from trying to over cast) one off. 

 

Fly fishing is a woot, But takes some practice. Just remember to relax. Everything needs to be smooth/fluid and no rushing the cast.

I make that in a day, so its not a big lose if i dont like it. thanks for the tips though

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mcwiggles reply : 

  On 7/21/2013 at 9:30 AM, jj said:

$40 isn't a big loss. Good starter kit to see if you like it. But you may find quality to suffer some. But as you improve you'll want better gear anyway.

 

Definitely check the vids and practice before you hit the water. Tip: don't start with a real fly. use a piece of yarn to simulate a fly. Heck of a lot cheaper if you snap(whip effect from trying to over cast) one off. 

 

Fly fishing is a woot, But takes some practice. Just remember to relax. Everything needs to be smooth/fluid and no rushing the cast.

Also, here is a link to the kit.

 

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Martin-Fly-Fishing-Kit/19491275

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jj'sbassinforfun reply : 

  On 7/21/2013 at 9:45 AM, mcwiggles said:

Also, here is a link to the kit.

 

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Martin-Fly-Fishing-Kit/19491275

I started with a similar kit, But wally world wasn't around back then. Martin has been at the fly stuff a good while.

 

8' 5/6 weight is a good all species starter. You can bass fish with it. Just use a larger tippet/leader. Probably has a 4x, I would go up to a 6X for smaller bass. Large bass with poppers use an 8X tippet/leader. 

 

Keep us posted on how it goes.

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mcwiggles reply : 

Will do, hopefully going to pick this up tomorrow. I've been doing so research and im still not certain on how the flies work, I've seen people making their own, but this kit comes with them. also, are they supposed to look like bugs(flies) or like bait fish?

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jj'sbassinforfun reply : 

  On 7/21/2013 at 9:57 AM, mcwiggles said:

Will do, hopefully going to pick this up tomorrow. I've been doing so research and im still not certain on how the flies work, I've seen people making their own, but this kit comes with them. also, are they supposed to look like bugs(flies) or like bait fish?

 There are 4 flies per say. Dry fly that floats to mimic bugs floating on the water. Wet fly or nymph to mimic the sub water bugs or larva. Streamers to mimic minnows or fish. and poppers to mimic frogs.

 

Have you heard of match the hatch? Look at what's on the water and what the fish are breaking for. Try to match the fly to that bug.

 

You can tye your own flies, But that is another takes a bit of practice to learn. Also requires some special tools. Orvis has the best selection of tools and many many flies too. If you have a local tackle shop. Often they have fly tying lessons.  

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mcwiggles reply : 

  On 7/21/2013 at 10:08 AM, jj said:

 There are 4 flies per say. Dry fly that floats to mimic bugs floating on the water. Wet fly or nymph to mimic the sub water bugs or larva. Streamers to mimic minnows or fish. and poppers to mimic frogs.

 

Have you heard of match the hatch? Look at what's on the water and what the fish are breaking for. Try to match the fly to that bug.

 

You can tye your own flies, But that is another takes a bit of practice to learn. Also requires some special tools. Orvis has the best selection of tools and many many flies too. If you have a local tackle shop. Often they have fly tying lessons.  

Is there a Mosquito fly? lol that's all that I know we have around here. Do each of the different flies take a different method to use?

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aquaholic reply : 

i bought a fly setup from cabelas for like 60 bucks. It works good enough for my level of fly fishing. I cant compare it to high dollar stuff but id trust it over a walmart one.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/Rod-Reel-Combos/Fly-Fishing-Rod-Reel-Combos|/pc/104793480/c/104762880/sc/105571980/Cabelas-Cahill-Fly-Rod-and-Reel-Outfit/732362.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Ffly-fishing-rod-reel-combos%2F_%2FN-1104843%2B10000049%2FNe-10000049%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_105571980%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat104793480%253Bcat104762880%26WTz_st%3DGuidedNav%26WTz_stype%3DGNU&WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104793480%3Bcat104762880%3Bcat105571980

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jj'sbassinforfun reply : 

  On 7/21/2013 at 10:13 AM, mcwiggles said:

Is there a Mosquito fly? lol that's all that I know we have around here. Do each of the different flies take a different method to use?

Size and color are the key. If its brown use a brown fly of similar size. It only needs to be close to get attention unless the fish are skiddish.  

 

If it lands on the water, Someone has tied a fly to match it. Just might take a bit of searching to find one.

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jj'sbassinforfun reply : 

  On 7/21/2013 at 10:15 AM, aquaholic said:

i bought a fly setup from cabelas for like 60 bucks. It works good enough for my level of fly fishing. I cant compare it to high dollar stuff but id trust it over a walmart one.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/Rod-Reel-Combos/Fly-Fishing-Rod-Reel-Combos|/pc/104793480/c/104762880/sc/105571980/Cabelas-Cahill-Fly-Rod-and-Reel-Outfit/732362.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Ffly-fishing-rod-reel-combos%2F_%2FN-1104843%2B10000049%2FNe-10000049%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_105571980%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat104793480%253Bcat104762880%26WTz_st%3DGuidedNav%26WTz_stype%3DGNU&WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104793480%3Bcat104762880%3Bcat105571980

Cahills are made by South Bend.

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mcwiggles reply : 

  On 7/21/2013 at 10:15 AM, aquaholic said:

i bought a fly setup from cabelas for like 60 bucks. It works good enough for my level of fly fishing. I cant compare it to high dollar stuff but id trust it over a walmart one.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/Rod-Reel-Combos/Fly-Fishing-Rod-Reel-Combos|/pc/104793480/c/104762880/sc/105571980/Cabelas-Cahill-Fly-Rod-and-Reel-Outfit/732362.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Ffly-fishing-rod-reel-combos%2F_%2FN-1104843%2B10000049%2FNe-10000049%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_105571980%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat104793480%253Bcat104762880%26WTz_st%3DGuidedNav%26WTz_stype%3DGNU&WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104793480%3Bcat104762880%3Bcat105571980

I will probably move up to that if I find out that I like fly fishing. 

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jj'sbassinforfun reply : 

  On 7/21/2013 at 10:27 AM, mcwiggles said:

I will probably move up to that if I find out that I like fly fishing. 

Its not going to be all that much better IMHO. Look a little higher in the price range once you seem to be happy with your skills.

 

A reel that has adjustable drag would be where I would go next.  

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aquaholic reply : 

  On 7/21/2013 at 10:32 AM, jj said:

Its not going to be all that much better IMHO. Look a little higher in the price range once you seem to be happy with your skills.

 

A reel that has adjustable drag would be where I would go next.  

have you fished it?

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flyfisher reply : 

Here is what I recommend on breakdown once you move up....spend 60-70% of your budget on the rod, 20% on line and 10% or less on the reel. In freshwater you will rarely of ever use the reel. I have used the reel on my rods maybe 4-5 times in over 15 years of fly fishing. The few times I have used the reel was when I targeted species to heavy for the gear I was using and usually involved chasing carp.

Reels are a beautiful thing though and keep an eye on www.sierratradingpost.com for reels as they have great deals on there from time to time

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mcwiggles reply : 

  On 7/21/2013 at 10:45 AM, flyfisher said:

Here is what I recommend on breakdown once you move up....spend 60-70% of your budget on the rod, 20% on line and 10% or less on the reel. In freshwater you will rarely of ever use the reel. I have used the reel on my rods maybe 4-5 times in over 15 years of fly fishing. The few times I have used the reel was when I targeted species to heavy for the gear I was using and usually involved chasing carp.

Reels are a beautiful thing though and keep an eye on www.sierratradingpost.com for reels as they have great deals on there from time to time

I saw one video where the guy reeled in the fish just like a normal spinning setup. is that not right?

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flyfisher reply : 

Yeah you can but it is more hassle than its worth in my opinion. You also have to hold the fish with the right hand while you reel the slack in with the left which can lead to lost fish.

Generally you strip the line in with the lest hand hole holding the line tight to the rod with your right (assuming you are casting with your right hand).

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mcwiggles reply : 

  On 7/21/2013 at 10:51 AM, flyfisher said:

Yeah you can but it is more hassle than its worth in my opinion. You also have to hold the fish with the right hand while you reel the slack in with the left which can lead to lost fish.

Generally you strip the line in with the lest hand hole holding the line tight to the rod with your right (assuming you are casting with your right hand).

I'm left handed, don't know if that makes a difference.

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flyfisher reply : 

Just switch right to left and left to right and the same concepts apply

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Delaware Valley Tackle reply : 

If the initial goal is just to catch some trout concentrate on the wet flies / nymphs. The top water bite is similar to bass in that it comes and goes with the bait / hatch. First thing to upgrade will probably be your line, don't cheap out on that when the time comes. I can't see an expensive fly reel either. All it does is hold the line.

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jj'sbassinforfun reply : 

  On 7/21/2013 at 10:43 AM, aquaholic said:

have you fished it?

Yes, I have fished Cahill. 

 

  On 7/21/2013 at 10:45 AM, flyfisher said:

 In freshwater you will rarely of ever use the reel.

Reels are a beautiful thing though and keep an eye on www.sierratradingpost.com for reels as they have great deals on there from time to time

When fishing Pike, salmon and stripers or Anytime the fish has the power to bust my tippet, I rely on the drag. 

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mcwiggles reply : 

  On 7/21/2013 at 12:15 PM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

If the initial goal is just to catch some trout concentrate on the wet flies / nymphs. The top water bite is similar to bass in that it comes and goes with the bait / hatch. First thing to upgrade will probably be your line, don't cheap out on that when the time comes. I can't see an expensive fly reel either. All it does is hold the line.

I'm going to be mostly going for panfish, maybe small bass.

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