so what does one buy when he can t afford a sage ??

[Chris Kuhn]

Redington is very good as well
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/Rod-Reel-Combos/Fly-Fishing-Rod-Reel-Combos%7C/pc/104793480/c/104762880/sc/105571980/Redington174-Crosswater-Outfit-Fly-Combo/1166294.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Ffishing-rod-reel-combos-fly-fishing-rod-reel-combos%2F_%2FN-1104843%2FNs-MIN_SALE_PRICE%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat104793480%253Bcat104762880%26WTz_stype%3DGNU

Jon

If you are new to flyfishing and do not know what a nail knot is, have the shop you buying the Redington rig take a look at it first. They were sending these out for a while with a double overhand knot connecting the leader to the fly line.

[Chris Kuhn]

I think Orvis now has an introductory kit that is pretty reasonably priced.

[KRoberts1]

There's are some wonderful short, light line, fiberglass rods available the are very resonably priced on eBay. Some old Fenwick's, Lamiglass, etc, that are fine rods. MAtch it with a good used Medalist and your under a $100 bucks. GO to Hook and Hackle and get one of their Hy-FLoters to match. You'll be pleasantly surprised. Very serviceable set up and a pleasure to throw.

keith

[Waterborne]

I'm a complete newb so take my opinion as a perspective of a newb. I bought a Cabelas Three Forks, Prestige Plus combo with line, backing, and leader for $80. I'm catching fish and I'm completely happy with it. Would I catch more fish if I had a $800 Sage? I highly doubt it. With my casting ability, I have no business swinging a Sage. I couldn't tell a "good" rod from a bad one. What could I gain from going to a fly shop and swinging several rods around? Ignorance is bliss.

I went with Cabelas because you can pretty much return anything. Saving cash let me buy tackle, flies, waders, boots, tools, vest, bug repellent, fishing license, annual pass, etc.

Any doubts about buying an inexpensive rod/reel was quickly erased after my first good slip on slippery river rock.

[Josh lopez 82]

I myself have a TFO NXT series and have no complaints. They told me it was a good rod combo for the price and that I would not feel the need for another rod for a while. Though that time has come (I'm looking for a 2wt. now) I love my rod (5-6wt.).

[Fishfreak911]

I like TFO & Redington who are VERY good about replacing broken rods for a nominal 30.00 fee.
I would also suggest looking up your local FF club which typically holds annual auctions annually to raise funds. You can often get great rods for a steal! There are a list of clubs on the front forum page. I know the Fly Fishing Club of Orange County is having their rods avaiable at the August meeting to test out before the auction in Sept.

Good luck!

[Wildman]

So TJ.....what do you think about all this advice? You've visited the thread twice (today even) since you posted and looks like you've gotten some good ideas to work with.
Most look right in your price point mentioned. What's your thoughts on what's been shared?

While you're at it, it would be great to learn a bit about you since it was your first post. The screen name TJflyfisher is intriguing....are you from that county in the South part of the state or are you named Thomas Jefferson and fly fish?

[Autodave]

"...so what does one buy when he can t afford a sage ??...

A used Sage

[tjflyfisher]

thanks for the great info guys sounds like a guy can get some descent fly gear if he shops around

im actually not new to fly fishing but i have not had the chance to go out fishing much so im still learning

all the ins and outs of it a little info on myself im in central ca (bakersfield ) about 9 months ago i bought a st croix fly rod combo from a
ssff club member and was going to hit the river with a friend who could get me started that never developed so after spending money on wading boots waders and fly rod / chest pack/fly boxes/flies it all sat in the closet until i finally got fed up and frustrated and sold it all
i have since got the bug again and have picked up waders and felt sole boots for river fishing and a redington 8-6 5 wt to get started again however i have a 7 yr old son who has pretty much taken over the redington soim in need of something for dad to use
the closest true fly shop to me is guys shop in kernville however i have so far had bum luck with them i went up there about three weeks ago
with a pocket full of cash to buy a new rod/reel combo and some flies had lunch at the kern river brewing company and headed to guys shop around 1 or 2 in the afternoon only to find a note on the door (closed for the afternoon) so much for that
i get to kernville about once every three months so it will be a while before i can get back up there so we will see

as to my user name i choose this because i own a jeep wrangler tj that is my fishing rig great rig for fishing and camping out of

thanks for the replies if anyone comes across any good deals on a 5 wt combo please let me know i have a line on one but have not heard back yet so please let me know if anything comes up for sale
thanks
tjflyfisher