For a Beginner...

[rayfound]

OK, so my Brother-in-law (let's call him Robert) is planning on joining me for a quickie Golden trout Death March the end of June... I couldn't be more excited, and its going to be a great weekend. Of course fly fishing is on the agenda.

Now, I had suggested that he borrow his uncle's 6wt fly rod, as this is his first time out, blah, blah, blah...

He is thinking he doesn't want to borrow stuff... he would like to get his own (Great!), but wants my help on what to get.

So, we're talking an extremely low budget (that's ALWAYS the story with me isn't it!?!?!?!), with a few key requirements:

1. I'm thinking 3 or 4 weight, so it would be a fun rod to use on SoCal Locals if he ends up really liking the FF thing.

2. should be at LEAST 3 Pieces, preferably 4 or 5 - as its first use is for packing. (His uncle's is only 2 - so more awkward pack rod)

3. He needs a Reel, backing, line et all. So shoudl we be looking at a combo set from somewhere?

4. If he is to buy something, I want him to do it ASAP so I can help him get rigged and teach casting, etc...


Now, I got lucky... My reel I got for $5 at a thrift store, my old reel (A plastic, click-prawl Martin from a $30 wal-mart 4/5wt kit), Spenser will be using on this trip mated with his 2wt, once he gets it back... So Robert will have to get something for himself.


So what do you gents think? Should I really pressure him to just borrow his Uncle's for now, or should I coach him to buy something?

Like many of us these days, the budget is extremely sensetive, as he recently took a pretty good bout of abuse from his wife over spending $100 for hiking boots and a couple other essentials for the trip. He's borrowed a pack and most everything else he needs.

Any recommendations?


PS - I feel like such a newbie asking these questions, but while I am completely comfortable stumbling through this decision making process for myself, I'm more apprehensive doing it for someone else.

[midger]

I'd give serious consideration to the Cabela's stowaway--5 piece--and they're on sale now:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20431-cat20457_TGP&id=0029773321161a&navCount=2&podId=0029773&parentId=cat20457&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=9IS&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat20457&hasJS=true

You could go with the 7'6" 4 weight or the longer 3 weight. Both should do a great job.

[anacrime]

that looks like a great deal for someone just getting into it. rod lengths are a bit awkward though. i'd prefer the 3wt over the 4wt.

[rayfound]

Whoa... I just looked at those the other day and they weren't on sale.... I'm gonna recommend him look at the 8'6" 3wt!

[midger]

that looks like a great deal for someone just getting into it. rod lengths are a bit awkward though. i'd prefer the 3wt over the 4wt.

I don't follow the lengths being awkward--I'd opt for the 8'6" 3 weight, but then, hey, most of my rods are 9 feet long just like I like em. I'm not a short rod person with 7'9" about as short as I go.

[anacrime]

that looks like a great deal for someone just getting into it. rod lengths are a bit awkward though. i'd prefer the 3wt over the 4wt.

I don't follow the lengths being awkward--I'd opt for the 8'6" 3 weight, but then, hey, most of my rods are 9 feet long just like I like em. I'm not a short rod person with 7'9" about as short as I go.

i don't see the point of a 7'6" 4wt. i had one once and didn't find any scenario where I'd prefer it over my 7'6" 3wt or my 9' 4wt.

i also don't see any advantage for a rod to be 8'6" (excluding perhaps a 3wt), i've asked before and didn't get any answers. perhaps you can explain it to me?

[Chris Kuhn]

I think something you want to consider is a rod that is easy to cast and feel the load on. Not sure how that will work with a three wt. My first rod was a quest rod from LL Bean it was cheap came fully loaded with line and even leader attached. The line was a bit heavy in the front and the rod had a very forgiving action. Something to consider since this is his first attempt at flyfishing. Also the whole deal was under $100.

http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores ... &cat4=2136

[stanbery]

Ray

The Stowaway is a nice starter rod. I have built two of them for freinds and they really like the feel of them.

Jon

[fly addict]

Check out the Echo Carbon. I cast the 6'6" 3wt 4pc next to a Winston Wt 3wt 6' '6" and for the money $169. you can't go wrong, and thats with a life time warranty and tube. They have other size's.

[mtnguru]

I'm with Midger and Shane on this one. I've actually owned the Stowaway 3wt. for about 5 years now and love it. It has been the only rod I have fished with in that time so I have put it to the test. That price is something, I may pick one up because it's so cheap.

Chris

[briansII]

Ditto the 5 piece Stowaway combo. I bought one for my father-inlaw, and it's a nice setup for the price. IF you want to go very low budget, the Three Forks combos at Cabelas are ok. I have used a 7'6" 3wt combo a bunch, before I broke the tip off trying to retrieve a fly from a tree. It's not high quality stuff, but more than adequate.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ ... hasJS=true

I have a friend, of a friend, that reps Stone Creek products. I've cast a couple of their rods, and it was nice.

http://stonecreekltd.com/Rods.htm#Outfits

I'm a fan of Redington. You should be able to find a combo at a good price.

briansII

[Chris Kuhn]

That Redington combo is a nice deal or it was a year ago. I haven't checked. However when you get it check the leader to fly line connection or set him up with a handshake loop. On the ones they were selling last year they did a poor job tying that knot on the models they sent to the shops.

[rayfound]

He bit the bullet and went for the stowaway... but its backordered! They say it will ship in 0-1 week, so as long as that's legit, we're cool. Anyone have any experience with Cabelas backorder times?

[Danny McB]

He bit the bullet and went for the stowaway... but its backordered! They say it will ship in 0-1 week, so as long as that's legit, we're cool. Anyone have any experience with Cabelas backorder times?

Sorry to say Ray but I am going thru a nightmare with them right now. Ordered a TFO TiCRX 7 wt (that said "in Stock") in april backordered 1 week. After 4 weeks I cancelled the order. So that was late april early may. May 10th it shipped to me. Since I already bought one from another dealer I denied shipment from UPS. They recieved it back on May 15th. I am still fighting with them to credit my card and its June 10th and over 40 e mails. Im done with them for good.

I hope yours doesnt go that way but if they dont change that 0-1 week thing for you soon I would get leary

Danny

[briansII]

He bit the bullet and went for the stowaway... but its backordered! They say it will ship in 0-1 week, so as long as that's legit, we're cool. Anyone have any experience with Cabelas backorder times?

Yes. Many times. If you need it by a certain time, I would call to check status. They should have an update after a few days, IF it's going to be shipped in a week. I have never had a problem like Danny, but i'm sure it happens.....I just became a Cabelas "Signature" member, so maybe they treat me like royalty. Anyway, if he really wants that setup, waiting for it would be worth it. Loaning him something for this trip should be ok?

briansII