FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q.  Is flyfishing difficult to learn?

A.  No!  You should start out by taking a lesson from a casting instructor or knowledgeable friend to learn the basics and then practice casting without a fly in your backyard, park, etc., to get the feel of it.  If no one is available for "hands on" instruction, there are good DVDs available by Lefty Kreh, Mel Krieger, and Joan Wulff.

Fly fishing is not some sort of black art!  The number of available flies can seem overwhelming, but a few tried and true patterns seem to always catch fish.  The locals in your area can recommend the flies that work.  Once you get started flyfishing, we think you will prefer it to any other kind of fishing - you will be "hooked".

Q.  With so many fly rods to choose from, how do I know what weight would be right for me?

A.  If you are primarily fishing for trout, a 5 weight is a really good all-around rod.  If you are fishing for bass or saltwater species such as redfish, snook, sea trout, bonefish or baby tarpon, an 8 weight is ideal.  For larger freshwater species like pike or muskies and permit, large jacks or big tarpon, you would want to go to a 10 or 12 weight.

Q.  Why is there such a large price differential between rods?  Are the expensive ones that much better?

A.  Most fly rods made today are very good.  The ones we carry all perform extremely well.  A lot of it is personal preference.  Many of our customers find they prefer the actions of our moderately priced rods over the higher priced models, while others prefer the top of the line.

Q.  Why is there such a big difference in the price of reels?  Is there that much difference in quality?

A.  Those who are primarily fishing for smaller fish do not need to spend a fortune for a reel, as most moderately priced ones will get the job done.  It is a different story for those going after the larger species.  One has to have a strong reel with a very strong drag to control tarpon and other large fish.  Even bonefish can make a run that will burn up a cheap reel.  Quality reels are important for the stronger fish.

Q.  What do you recommend for someone new to flyfishing?  What rod, reel, etc.?

A.  We recommend one of the complete outfits we have available which include the fly rod, reel, fly line, backing, leader and rod case.  The TFO NXT Flyrod Kit, the Sage FLi Outfit, or the Orvis Clearwater II Outfit would all be good ways to get started at  a reasonable  price. 

Q.  Why are there so many different kinds of fly lines?

A.  It all depends upon the kind of fishing you will be doing.  Most trout fishermen use weight forward floating line as it is easier to cast and allows for dry fly fishing.  If one needs to fish deep, then a sinking line or sinking tip line would be preferred.

Another consideration is water temperature.  Standard lines are good for cold water, but it is necessary to use specialized lines when fishing in the tropics.  Tropic lines have stiffer cores so they don't wilt in the heat.  That said, tropic lines are too stiff in cold water and cold weather making casting more difficult.

Q.  Will I need to buy waders or boots?

A.  You don't have to buy waders or boots, but we think you will find the sport more enjoyable if you do.  You will be able to fish a lot more places because walking in a stream is a lot easier than scrambling over rocks and brush on the bank.  Also, in brushy areas it is difficult to make a back cast, while it is a lot easier to make a back cast in the middle of a river.  If you plan to fish from a float tube, waders are a must!

Q.  What kind of waders should I buy?

A.  That depends upon the kind of fishing you will be doing.  If you will be fishing a lot in cold conditions, we recommend heavy duty, five-layer waders with hand warmers.  If you will be in warmer conditions, waders that can be converted from chest-high to waist-high are ideal.

Q.  What is the big difference between float tubes and pontoon boats beside price?

A.  Float tubes are propelled by fins and are an economical way to get to where the fish are on small lakes.

Pontoon boats are designed for larger lakes.  You sit a lot higher and the oars make it easier to cover a lot of water.  Some pontoon boats have a motor mount for a small electric motor which makes it even easier to travel greater distances.