FS Digest

I need a recommendation here:

Should i start fly tying first or should i get a fly rod setup first? Tryna see which one is better to start with, and I'd like you're opinions please :)

I'm having a hard time deciding rn. I'm a trout fisherman moving in from spinning gear, advice would be great!

tight lines!

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by sleepy_melon63

FS Digest

Fishing

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by hendostacks

FS Digest

just to clarify you're saying i should pick up a fly rod first, correct?

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by sleepy_melon63

FS Digest

Yes. Start fishing first. If your goal is to catch fish, work in the fishing aspect of fly fishing. Then once you get an idea of what flies you'll use you can start tying your own to "fine-tune" your setup. I just started fly fishing a few weeks ago and I'm having a hard enough time learning how to fish, what flies to use and where to go. If you pile on all there is to know about tying flies it might be too much to start with.

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by elihusmails

FS Digest

Definitely start fly fishing. Tying can come later, when you have a reason or just want to be connected to fly fishing when you can't get on the water in the winter. Think of tying as a separate, but complimentary hobby. And don't be surprised if after spending a lot to get a fully set up tying bench if you still find yourself buying flies out of convenience or because there are just some patterns you don't like to tie, or aren't efficient at tying or don't want to stock the materials for. But, first things first, get out there and catch some fish on a fly rod and see if the aggravation thrills you or frustrates you, or both.

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by Independent

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

Welcome to the Forum, 63, Independent knows what he is talking about. Some people fish 3 - 5 years before they start tying flies, and then only the ones that they use most of the time. Some never tie flies, they don't have the time and flies are cheap to buy. I have fly fished for nearly 70 years and tied my first fly at the age of 8. but I still buy most of my drys, but I use mostly beadheads which I tie.

FixorFish Loc: SW Oregon

Most definitely LEARN to fly fish before you tie. If for no other reason than you might spend good fishin' time trying to get that "perfect wrap", rather than learning how to cast, or spend more money on a single hackle than half a box of flies from the fly shop or even (God forbid !)...Walmart.
I have been TRYING to be a competent fly fisherman for about 55 or 56 yrs now, started bugging my uncle to teach me at age 10 or so. I now own way too many rods and reels of every flavor...3wt Abel on a 9' split bamboo for the true nostalgic Brookies trip to a 10wt salmon rod(that I have yet to catch (land) one on !), ...and most everything in between. I constantly run into fellow fisherpersons who tie, but don't have a boat......sounds like TRADE TO ME , I have several types,... lake ?... river ?.... where should we meet ?

The "Art of Fly Fishing" and the "Art of Tying Fishing Flies" are definitely two different arts, to be sure..... each requires patience, practice, and maybe a bit of God-given talent, directed towards totally different skills. Blessed is he or she that can become skilled in both arts. I both envy you and encourage you.

Salesrep Loc: Maryland

You can learn to tie anytime.Learn the basics of flyfishing first then delve into the tying slowly.
Good luck

edkealer

Independent is right. Learn to fly fish first. If you feel the need to spend that much money on a tying bench and materials after you have caught fish, then go ahead, but remember that tying flies is more expensive than buying them ( a single fly tied is less expensive than a bought fly unless you consider the time it takes to tie a single fly for a beginner.) This is due to the fact that no matter how you collect the waste materials and how frugal you are with all materials, you won't use all of them in your tying. Example, when you buy dubbing ( a common material on many flies) you get enough in one package to tie thousands of flies. Marabou is almost as bad, you can get hundreds of flies from one package.

Naw-Z-Us

Fish first until you are comfortable with the casting. Watch your back cast I’ve lost a lot flies and leader in tree limbs!!
Save the winter months for tying. You don’t catch much fly fishing on the ice😁