I have never fly fished at all but am looking to get into it, its looks interesting and fun. I have a fairly nice pole and reel, but know nothing about fly fishing except how to cast out. what would be the best way to learn? and can someone out there give some pointers for a beginner?
I would like to practice on trout for alittle while before i got into steelhead.

Depending on what weight the rod is (my guess is a 6 wt) would give you an idea if you would be able to effectively fish for winter steelhead....the general rule is 8 and higher for winter runs, 5 - 6 for summer runs. This is due to the heavier sinktips most commonly used for winter fish.

I would start with trout, probably on a lake near by in the spring. Then as I was a little better at catching trout I would start on summer runs on the peninsula.

Go to a fly shop or sporting goods store near you and ask for help. Also, there should be a lot of good books available at the library to help you get started.

eric or anyone else,
my rod is a 4oz. and is 10'3" so this is a no good pole for any steelhead?

...a 4oz rod could be anything from a five weight to an eight weight--what is the line rating of the rod? It matters--some sinktips are heavy, and require backbone to cast...not to mention land fish. I saw two sorry anglers who broke their rods on chum in the Stilly last weekend...

...as to practicing on lakes, it might be a good idea if you're unfamiliar with basic fly casting techniques, but sailing a heavy marabou fly out on the end of a type VI sinktip in current is a special kind of casting all in itself, and nothing but doing it will help you along. That said, search this bulletin board for the "Any fly fishers out there" post by DanO (on 11/3/00)--recommends excellent material to get you started.

...and above all, sharp hooks...

If you plan on fishing Steelhead, then you will be river fishing. Your time would be best served practicing in a river since it is completely different from fly fishing in a lake.

I personally feel the best way to practice is to go out and do it - by that I mean Steelhead. FFing for trout on the Yakima is fun, but probably won't teach you to terribly much about ffing for steelies. Hire a guide (Bob) that is proficient, ask alot of questions ahead of time and make sure they know you are there to learn, not just to catch one.

If you are going to FF for winter run, you will need an eight wgt. Buy one now and go catch a few dogs so you can learn how to palm and cast and drift. Reading the water is a completely separate aspect.

Good luck,

Steve

rod weights are measured according to which line weights are best suited for rod length, action, stiffness, casting abilities, etc. therefore the rod weight should be matched with the line weight. line weights are usually stamped, etched or painted on the rod just above the handle. usually next to the printed rod length. Deciding line design, ie; tapered.double tapered, floating, sinking, weight forward, sink tip, etc. depends on lots of other things like your quarry, the water depth, speed, obstructions, etc. reels should also be matched to line weight and be marked accordingly. These are rules of thumb, as will be pointed out (i'm sure) for basic hardware. there's way more to it than could be discussed here. anyway, ask for a casting lesson and don't give up.I suggest a st-croix 7-8 line weight rod, a reddington 7-8 reel and a wt forward/sinktip line with 300yds backing. this assumes fast, deep, big, strong, etc. terminal tackle is another issue. Im suspect someone will be correcting/ flaming these suggestions. we'll see.

Ryan,
I flyfish on the Yakima every other day for trout. This is a great river. The fishing is slow over here now because it bearly gets over 32 degress. I would recomend the Yakima if you want trout. It is the only Blue Ribbon trout stream in the state. Well, I haven't got a steelie on a fly yet but I have been trying my luck with a 6 wt. Hopefully Santa will bring me a 8 wt. Well, tight lines. If you ever want to fish on the Yakima with me Email me and we can hook up.
Ct

Ryan,

You ask for the best way to learn. Lesson #1. Read, read, & read. Fly fishing has a rich and expansive literature, with thousands of books. Search the archives for titles that were suggested to other inquiries for local basics.

Reading can help you use your time more productively once you finally visit a stream or lake. Reading will also instruct you that "poles" are used for stringing electrical and telephone wires. Anglers fish and cast with fly or spinning rods. (My personal rant regarding vocabulary. Using the right words makes a person better understood in any language.)

Next to reading, a personal mentor is the most valuable asset. A mentor can teach you the nuances of the concepts and even details that you read about. That covers the selection of tackle, using it more effectively, wading, deciding when and where to fish, reading the water, and presenting your offering so that a trout or steelhead will take it.

Lacking a mentor, take classes offered by fly shops and hire a guide. This can save you years of putzing around doing the wrong thing at the wrong time in the wrong place.

Oh, and fair warning: when you begin to master the fundamentals of casting and fishing, your life will be forever changed. Fly fishing is an opiate that has forever corrupted thousands of otherwise socially productive men and women. Initially you will live to fly fish. Eventually you will fly fish to live. Don't say no one warned you!

Sincerely,

Salmo g.

Salmo G. hit the nail on the head, thde only thing I would add is look into joining a local fly fishing club. Many of these clubs have classes in tying, casting etc. and you can gather a lot of perspective from the membership.

If the rod is graphite, and 4 oz. is not the line weight itself (used to be based on the weight of 30' of line I think) it sounds like it is about a 6wt. How old is the rod? I have had plenty of good time with a rod that has line 1 or 2 weights over the rating, but trying to cast with a line under the rating can be very unproductive (for me anyway).

Good luck!!

Check out Match the Hatch Guide Service's page(www.matchthehatches.com) There is an advice section offering advice on anything from presentation to rod selection, and everything you might need to know.

The rod is not too old i believe, it is an Orvis graphite rod but it doesnt say the weight above the handle, the only things it says is on the metal tube it comes in and the length is 10'3" and weight is 4oz. Its alittle bit weaker than my lamiglass 10' pole thats rated at 8-12 pound line.