Is Fly fishing hard? I have never tried it but I would love too! It seems like an enjoyable way to fish! Would love to hear some info and how to get started!
Some great advice given here!
@ClearwaterScott @FlyJeep @FlyRENO @cjones have hit the nail on the head. Find a local club or fly shop and take a class. Many shops have free intros, like the Orvis 101 or a something similar that will give you a basic understanding of the sport. Don't rush into buying anything until you understand the basics and have test driven a few rods in a casting class. Your rod and line choice is the most critical and can be the most expensive part of gearing up, but there are good rods at all price points. You don't need a $1000 rod to have fun. Hit those local shops and ask questions! The perfect outfit for where you are is different from the perfect outfit for where I fish. Figure out where you'll be doing most of your angling and outfit accordingly.
Good fly lines are now $70-$80 and are as important as the rod. Fly line design and technology is probably the fastest changing part of our sport. With the tapers available today it is fairly easy to match up a line to the rod, for the type of fishing you'll be doing and your experience level or casting style. Again, ask questions, but articulate to those fly shop guys how you see yourself using the gear. Make sure they are asking you questions too.
Having been in the industry for 19 years now and a fly angler for 53 I would offer this... Buy domestic when possible, but keep an eye on your budget. I see a lot of folks start with a high end US made rod and lose interest after a few months. Then there's those that buy a less expensive offshore rod, only to be back in a month or two looking to upgrade. Do your research and find that perfect outfit for you.
When it comes to all the other goodies we fly anglers collect, like reels, waders, boots, vests, glasses, tools, etc., just remember this. If you have to worry about your gear, you've got the wrong gear. Warranties are great on a lot of the stuff we use, but warranties don't work when your off in the boonies for a week. Buy the best your budget allows and take care of it. Your gear is just like the tools for your rig and I hate working with cheap tools.
The most important thing? Just have fun. While fly fishing may seem complicated, it really isn't. In fact, it's quite simple when you break it down to the basics. You can make it as simple or as complicated as you want it to be. The more you get into it, the more you'll get out of it. It's a sport that will grow with you and eventually it becomes a way of life, kind of like Overlanding. I've been very blessed to have it open doors and take me around the world to see some of the cool places fish swim. I've met interesting people and accumulated memories that will last a lifetime, and it all started with a wild trout in a cool Oregon river. Enjoy the journey!
Travel safe!
