Fly guys - You're killing me here!

[Double D]

OK, so after sitting through the Q&A the other night, I had the bug.

So I go down to my buddies fly shop to talk turkey. I'm heading to CR next month and felt like I could wave the long wand around like some kind of half-assed Lefty Kreh.

Me: Will my 9 weight be enough? (Silly me I thought I would just need some new line)

Oh no, you need a 14 weight. Lets start with the reel, this ones $1,100 (including the friends and family discount)!

WTF - I could buy 2 50 wides for that and this thing has practically no moving parts.

Then you'll need $120 worth of line, and one of these $400 twigs with the guides that will bend the first time you set it down.

Well at least I'll be able to use it for tuna I said

Oh no, this is much too heavy for tuna, you'll need a 12 weight. Buy them both now and I'll throw in a couple flies.

Hmmm... Spend 3 grand and get a couple hairy hooks, that's mighty white of ya. So why do I need heavier gear for some pansy ass sailfish?

Oh they fight much harder than tuna, and you need more line capacity.

Ever catch either one I ask him

Of course.

Well, it doesn't sound like it.

People that are new to fishing never understand these things

At this point I made a few observations about his progenitors and his sexual orientation, so I think I blew my discount.

So anyway - are big bucks really needed to get started? Anybody want to rent, trade or barter for some tackle?

[gottaflylee]

Double D, first let me say that I'm sorry for doing such a crappie thing to you as give you this "long rod bug" but I think it would have happened to you sooner or later...we just sorta made it sooner.
Lets start with the rod, yes it is $400.00 + but fly rods are a little different than a "normal" fishing rod and for some reason get broken more often than one would think. With that being said, think of the cost of the rod coming with its own insurance policy, as I am sure that he told you ( or should have)that it comes with a life time or 25 year warranty or something to that affect. So now the cost of the rod is a little easer to shallow.
Now I don't know what reel he showed you but I think he went little over board here. (hint: next time you walk into a fly shop, dress down, look like you don't have a pot to pi$$ in or a window to throw it out of.)
I do think you ought to get into a good reel for $500.00 to $750.00 Update I just made a call for you Will have some information soon.

Now in my humble opinion I think you will want a 14 wt for the pacific Sails and I know for a fact that you will want a 14 wt for the Tunas if you don't want to be under gunned. I would like to see that sales person with a 12 wt and a 50+ pound tuna after the first run and then try and lift it up as it is doing the death spiral, I think he has never done it before and as my grand pappy said if you can't anything nice...

As far as fly equipment being expensive, One can get in on an entry level for a reasonable sum...as you step up into going after larger game so does the $ amount you are going to spend but you can find equipment that you won't need to rob a bank to buy.
Feel free to give me a call and when I here back from my buddy I'll shoot you a PM.

[Dave Sikorski]

DD-

I wouldn't want to fight a tuna with anything less than a 14wt. I'm buying a TFO as soon as I decide I can't live without it.

I caught that night time permit in the picture that's been posted 1000 times on a 12wt. T&T.....aka one of those $1k rods, It was a rental!!! Anyway, that fish took 30 min and sure as heck wasn't a tuna. So point is, I don't agree with your friend.

I have a Pate Marlin with ~560yds of 60lb backing on it....Got the reel on a website:

http://www.tradenstuff.com/GearList.htm

I periodically watch it for things on my wish list. I've bought two reels and a rod here and been very happy with the service and the explanation of the equipment has been dead on.

I'm all about supporting friends and local shops, but just b/c the high end stuff is necessary for big nasty fish, doesn't mean it's necessary to get a second mortgage to afford it.

-D

[gottaflylee]

DD-

I wouldn't want to fight a tuna with anything less than a 14wt. I'm buying a TFO as soon as I decide I can't live without it.

I caught that night time permit in the picture that's been posted 1000 times on a 12wt. T&T.....aka one of those $1k rods, It was a rental!!! Anyway, that fish took 30 min and sure as heck wasn't a tuna. So point is, I don't agree with your friend.

I have a Pate Marlin with ~560yds of 60lb backing on it....Got the reel on a website:

http://www.tradenstuff.com/GearList.htm

I periodically watch it for things on my wish list. I've bought two reels and a rod here and been very happy with the service and the explanation of the equipment has been dead on.

I'm all about supporting friends and local shops, but just b/c the high end stuff is necessary for big nasty fish, doesn't mean it's necessary to get a second mortgage to afford it.
-D

You said it better than me...nice site by the way.

[Dave Sikorski]

Another thought for the rod.

http://www.camsigler.com/Rods.htm

-D

[Double D]

Thanks guys

In all fairness, I did exaggerate a bit, but not much. They didn't "show" me anything. They are in the process of moving their shop and everything was boxed up. I wanted to get out of there before they put me to work. I was offered a loaner reel if I bought a rod and line

I'm not as cheap as I might sound. I have a small fortune tied up in my tackle and am willing to pay for equipment that will last a lifetime

Could I save much by building my own rod?

I see some of the 14 weights include a gimbal. Is this something I should look for?

Any specific suggestions for reels? Don't know what I should be looking for

Thanks for all your help, hopefully soon I will have the board plastered with pics

D

[jemche]

if you are fishng out of a charter boat in costa rica, most have 14 wt rods that they will ley you use if you want to fly fish..

[flies only]

sikorsk, have you hung mr BFT/YFT??? i still have yet to get my holy grail.. my buddy upgraded to a 06' henriques last week . you will have to come out with us this year....

[Bite Me]

Doug, Don't do it, don't do it Doug. Stick with the "Power of the Dark Side."

Get the fifties............

[Dave Sikorski]

John-

Haven't done it yet. Didn't try this year. I didn't make it out last summer on any "fun" trips. Did chunk one day and with 5 anglers on board I decided to leave the flyrod in the truck.

Hope to get out a bunch this year and at least give it a try.

I'd love to tag along with you all when you have room.

-D