So Im looking at getting into flyfishing. Ive never attempted to fly fish. I've never even held a fly rod before.

Whats a good starter pole, and assorted stuffs that I'll need.

Honestly I have so many questions. How does one know what "fly" to use? Whats all this talk about "dry flies".

I think I need a fly mentor....anyone need a protege?

I'll take a stab at this for you. I have been fly fishing for around 40 years so might have an idea or two that'll help.I live in Alberta so being a mentor could be a challenge for me lol

I assume that being in Wyoming you will be looking at trout.
I have found that a good all around rod is an 6wt 8-9 feet long.
Next add a reel with a decent drag system that will hold 100 yards of backing plus your fly line. A weight forward line would be my choice. There are a number of top notch companies which sell starter sets, Orvis, Scientific Anglers, Redington all come to mind.
A fly shop would be the place to pick this stuff up as the staff should be knowlegable. If you have a local fly club that would be a great place to hang out as well. Lots of clubs host begineer classes.
Generally speaking flies are broken down into these classes:
Dry flies are designed to float, generally they imitate adult insects that have hatched.
Wet flies are fished under the surface and imitate immature or hatching insects. Can also imitate adults that are egg laying or have drowned.
Nymphs are immature insects.
Streamers imitate minnows or fry.
Be careful you don't get talked into buying stuff you don't need, you can end up with a wack of gadgets, but then again I have have a wack of gadgets so.....Welcome to a lifelong addiction.
Hope some of this helps. It is a fun way to fish.

I just started a couple years ago myself, so I'm not qualified to hand out any technical advice, but I will second troutfly's recomendation of a starter set.
I was pretty much confusing myself untill a trusted friend steered me to one of Reddingtons packages, and although I learned a long time ago to never say never, I really don't think I'll ever "need" to upgrade.
Course, there's always that "want/need" thing, but so far I'm enjoying myself and catching fish and that's good enough for me.

In the case of fly fishing, The want/need thing doesn't exist! They are all needs! LOL
Seriously though, I have heard good stuff about the Reddington starter sets. All the starter sets by the "Name" companies are built around a rod/reel/line correctly matched to each other as well as species of fish to a certain degree. Just add flies, water and fish, a couple lessons and you'll never look back.

First, what fish will you target? Being in Wyoming, a good assumption is trout, but maybe you're after Northerns? Bass? Panfish?

Secondly, where will you be fishing - tiny streams, big rivers, ponds or lakes? All of the above?

Third, what's your budget? If you plan on wading, do you already have waders/boots?

Talk to local resources, whether they be a fly shop, or a fly club. Failing that, there are a number of forums that are more specific to fly fishing than the Campfire. Find some means of getting local information.

No matter what, I strongly recommend getting a casting lesson from an FFF certified instructor, if possible. I also recommmend purchasing the Lefty Kreh on Fly Casting DVD. Better to not get bad habits, than to try and get rid of them later (&*%$!!!! tailing loops.....)

Scott

Scott made an excellent suggestion as did the others..but to me getting instruction from an instructor would be pretty important..I learned to fly fish on my own, and my casting needs attention..I have very poor form..BUT after fishing this way for almost 60 years it is about impossible for me to change..Plus what Scott said about where and what you will fish for is very important..Laramie has lots of plains lakes with ample trout..here a longer rod 8.5 to 9 foot is great.., but for small stream fishing it is much too long..7.5 -8' is about right..I buy all my flies right now..gave many of my rods and fly tying stuff to kids I had in class..Personally, I love the old Fenwick Fenglass fly rods..I have about 5 of them..but the newer materials cast farther easier..but to me lack the action of the older rods..after fishing all these years, my favorite is small stream fishing..You will find in the summer the green horde will take over all good lakes, rivers and streams..so if solitude is you thing, the smaller the stream the better, but the fish will be small..As for flies, one needs fewer than most believe..but remember, I am a hunter not a die hard fisher man..
Renegades, grey hackle Peacocks, pheasant tailed beadheaded nymphs, elk hair caddis, pale morning duns, and a few wooly buggers are my main flies..I have used them in Wy. Idaho, and Montana and they work fine most places..at times it is fine to get flies that work well on local streams or rivers, but these seem to do well where ever we have trout..

I figured just small streams and small lakes, as well as the Platte.

I kinda just see it as something I could do when Im not hunting while camping in the mountains.

Although a cast and blast trip would be fun.

Thanks for the advice. I think i'll start looking for starter kits and maybe a book or two on Fly fishing.

LOL,,, Amen brother.
Course, that's true with all my pations. ;>)

I second what Scott says, especially the part about Lefty Kreh. He's amazing. Also more entertaining than the average "how to" film.

Many good suggestions above. I would add that many of the starter kits from Cortland, Scientific Anglers ... etc are very good. From what you say about your intentions , I would look at a kit with a 4 pc. fly rod from Cortland. Easy to pack and transport. There are many entry level graphite reels that would suit your purpose. You do not need a reel with a sophisticated drag system for fishing small streams and lakes.

Suggested flies:

Flies Sizes
Dry:
Parachute Adams 14,16,18
Renegade 14,16,18
Red Humpy (Goofus Bug)14,16
Elk Hair Caddis 14,16,18

Nymphs (larva)with or without bead head:
Gold Ribbed Hair's Ear 14,16,18
Pheasant Tail Nymph 14,16,18
Prince Nymph 12,14

Wet Flies:
Wooly Bugger black, olive 8

These are just a few of the bazillion choices there are in flies. Along with many regional variations in style and color. These are some of the flies I am never without. The underlined is the preferred size.

No kidding! I find it applies to my rifles, shotguns, knives, camping gear, Scotch.....no wonder I need to have a truck to get out there LOL
Don't even get me started on my fly tying gear, need, need, need! Gotta love the toys.

Haven't got into tie-flying :>) yet, but I know I could have bought another really good truck (to haul even more useless crap that I just gotta have) for what I've spent on hunting reloading gadgets over the years.
Funny thing though. I find that I don't "need" quite so much crap now that I'm on a fixed income. LOL

To be honest, the only two aspects of my outdoor activities that now translate into needs are my fly tying and knives, the tying because I will always tie, even when I can no longer get to the river, which I pray is a long time from now and custom knives because you can't have too many good knives.
The other stuff, I am looking at downsizing a bit, haven't told my boys yet as they would raid my stuff LOL

To the OP: as mentioned, decide upon species, water type and fly gear then start looking into effective flies. Its an addiction like no other....well maybe women and good Scotch.

I'm sure many of the guys here are much better fly fishermen than me, but my advice would be the single most important thing you can do for success is learn how to tie your tippets. Second would be to learn to tie on your flies. IMO presentation is everything, and if you get this right you'll be forgiven 7 other faults/sins.

Excellent advice!

After 30 years of trying, my best friend convinced me to try a flyfishing class and it was a great experience. Shortly after that I went to a local flyfishing club meeting- the people were great, presentations were interesting and I ended up winning a casting class with Lefty Kreh. Don't worry - I am an absolute newbie but I bet if you take a little time - you'll find plenty of people willing to help teach you, just like i did. Have fun and welcome to the sport.

I've been thinking of trying the same thing. Keep us update on what you try, and any hints or tips you may think is helpful for someone in your shoes.

After thinking this over, again the first thing I would do is get into a seminar or fly fishing club and get some basic fly casting instruction..Then I would purchase a beginning outfit..Again I would go for an 8 foot rod with a good double taper floating line..I started with a good 7 1/2 foot rod..I had others before, but this was the first good one..It works super to this day on small water..My next buy was an 8 footer..It is still catching trout, bass, bluegill,etc..Probably my most used rod..I like it so well I bought another off of Ebay...The 8 footer is a bit much for small water and a bit light for big water, but it does ok on both..I went for the double taper because it casts easier on small water, and I can cast almost as far on larger waters with it..
Next I would purchase several dozen flies, good selections have been pointed out..You can fish streamers in lakes and rivers with a long leader and bit of shot..Not perfect, but it will get you fishing..The reason I would NOT get into fly tying is JW is just trying this out..Tying flies is like loading shells, an enjoyable pastime, but something not every fisherman or hunter does.. I love loading shells and hated tying flies..If you are like me a casual fly fisherman, bought flies will work fine..I only fish, when I am not hunting, or as an aside to a hunting trip..If you become a serious fly fisherman, then the investment is worth while..For me it wasn't. I gave all my expensive rods to some kids who loved fly fishing and the same with the tying kit..I happily fish with my old Fenwicks and store bought flies,but only when I am not hunting..

....

You are quite right, fly tying isn't for everyone. Good quality flies can be bought, either from a shop or a local tier. Selling flies is one way I can afford to buy some extra toys now and again lol.

Find a source of quality flies, a good rod/reel/line, lessons and friends and you are set!

Well I would suggest finding a good fly shop near you and spend money first on casting lessons, this will save you years of trial and error, I know from first hand experience. Second, the shop will let you cast rods, picking a rod is as individual a thing as picking out a rifle and cartridge for hunting. Buy good stuff, because its the cheapest way to do it. I have not bought a fly rod or reel since the mid 1980's My favorite trout rod is a Sage Graphite II 8' 6" for a five weight with an Hardy LRH reel and a couple of extra spools. Top of the line when I bought it back in 1982, I long forgot what I paid, and in the last thirty years, its the rod I pick up for trout fishing and I have a bunch of rods. Then take some fly tying lessons and learn to tie. Its can be as in expensive and simple or as costly and complicated as you wish to make it. There is one thing though, you should be warned its very addictive and its the most enjoyable thing you can do standing knee deep in a stream with lots of tout in a feeding mood and you have the right fly on the line.

A good friend of mine, who is a far better tyer than I am published this.

http://flyanglersonline.com/lighterside/part320.php


Seven Steps To Successful Fly Tying
By Frank Reid

Take it one step at a time. Like me, I tried to do fly fishing on the cheap. I love the sport but, due to the nature of military service (ya think I was in it for the money?) I couldn't afford all those nice things off the bat, so I've been slowly building up (read terminal gear collector after many years).

Tying flies. I decided to learn to tie flies 'cause it had to be cheaper than buying those little bitty things. If you get the urge to tie flies to save yourself some money, here is my foolproof 7 step plan to tying flies:

Step 1: Find a nice comfortable seat at a table. Put something like plexiglass over a 2x2 foot area of the table to protect it from damage. Do not use a clamp vise on your dining room table. The spouse will find the damage, trust me.

Step 2: Get something to keep yourself organized. I use an old ashtray (don't smoke anymore) to keep small things in 'cause it has nice little indents in the sides to keep all my tools.

Step 3: Reach into your bag and get the duct tape that you keep handy for those fishing emergencies.

Step 4: Have some one (you trust) tie you to the chair using the duct tape. Ensure that all is secure and a piece goes over your mouth.

Step 5: Have that person reach into you back pocket, take out your wallet and burn all the money in there in the ashtray.

Step 6: Send the person off to the ATM to max out your cards. Please make sure he has your PIN numbers before he ties you up.

Step 7: Have your buddy burn all the money from the ATM in the ashtray while screaming "Fly tying, Bad!" over and over again. Voila! You're done!

This simple 7 step plan will save you the time that you'll spend hanging out in petting zoos trying to trim that yak, stopping for road kill on a charcoal black ground squirrel and expounding ad nauseum on how unfair the penalty for importing polar bear pelts is to a true fly tying artist. I won't even go into the prices that people pay for a chicken skin. Or the problems that can occur when an improperly stored road kill has its own "hatch." (never, my God, never mention maggots to my wife). Burning your money in one swell foop is also cheaper in the long run. It gets it out of your system quickly and is good for your neighborhood fly merchant.

The Reid Seven-Step-Method is available as a book on tape. ~ Frank Reid

Hey!! It was a big fat grey, and I only took the tail.

Ya bugger, I spent hours crawlin around the ditch lookin fer that tail!

So I hit up a shop in Laramie and I think I'll be back in the spring to pick up some gear and some lessons.

And so another hobby begins...

20 years of tying


How true lol

First never say pole or fish pole again ;^) It's a rod and in my experience more than any other sport fly fishing is saturated with folks that are equipment junkies. I don't really count myself as a dedicated fly fisherman as I live in the south and fish mostly for bass and panfish. I do have a fly rod and can do a passable overhand and roll cast but in reality I mostly pursue bass and panfish in ponds and lakes with hoppers hair frogs and poppers.
To begin there are some pretty decent lower cost rods and reels out there so you don't need a $400 rod and $500 reel to get started and see how you like it. First you need to know that in flyfishing you cast the line not the actual fly and you will see and hear about 3wt rods 6wt rods etc etc. rods are rated by weight indicating the size of the line they can throw with 2-3 being very small and 10 wt being large and mostly used for large fish big pike and saltwater fish. Don't make the mistake my brothers and I did when we were about 7-8 years old and bought our dad a 9 wt rod kit from herters. Hey if 6 is good then 10 has to be better right. Anyway I recently replaced my old fenwick rod and medalist reel with a newer fenwick HMG 6wt I bought on ebay for $55 and bought a orvis BBS reel for $100 and ended up with a pretty nice outfit for medium sized trout bass and panfish. A good place for you to start would probably be a 4pc. 5wt or 6wt.. rod from 8' to 9' and you can get a good starter outfit from cabelas, ll bean as well Okuma makes some decent priced stuff as well as winston,and orvis . I would start with a $150 budget and take a few classes and fish a bit to see what works best for you then you can upgrade. It will never hurt you to have a decent knock around rod that you don't care to leave in the trunk of your car or truck. Once you get your first outfit then go to a local orvis or fly shop that gives some classes and learn the basics. Just remember though that they also make their living selling equipment so go in knowing that some may push stuff on you and think about big purchases if they come at you too fast. Have fun

JWP58-I'm a fiend for TFO (Temple Fork Outfitters) rods. I've got two of them now and think the absolute world of them. To me they're the F150 or 870 of the fly rod world.

They make a good starter kit as well. I helped a gal buy this set last winter for a present to herself and it worked very well.

Personally, I'd not worry about tying leaders/tippets or flys or any of that gack. You can buy that just fine to begin with. Find some good water and hopefully a friend from work or church or somewhere who will take you and help you get your feet wet...grin

Tons of excellent H20 in the Cowboy State. I'll be down there a few times in 2013 to flog the H20.

Best of luck to ya

Dober

That is the best idea ever. If one frequents a popular stream. Cruise up and down and watch all the silverhaired anglers. Approach the ones that appear to be doing well, explain that you are a beginner, and ask for pointers and pattern suggestions.

Some might be rude hermits, but most are really anxious to share.