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Hello.
i need advice on buying a fly rod/reel combo for use on our semi-annual backpacking trips to the smoky mt nat'l park.
this may, we will be doing a 3 day 2 night hike on the south end of the park around eagle/hazel creek. i figured that it would be a good excuse to buy a fly rod/reel.
it needs to packable. i'd like to keep the cost under $150.
any advice on specific models and where to buy is greatly appreciated as this will be my first fly rig.
Any 4 piece fly rod outfit is packable. A 9 foot 4 piece rod breaks down to about 30" in total length. I've seen many rod tubes holding 4 piece rods tied vertically to back packs. If you really want to go packable a 6 piece rod is the ultimate but these are usually pretty spendy. I bought one of these in this link for my gf and it is a decent outfit. Shop around and you can probably find it close to the $$$ you want to spend. If you do spend a little more it is probably worth it. This will get you started but for certain any outfit with a four piece rod will let you carry it on a back pack easy enough. And for fishing Crappie and other pan fish I would recommend the 3/4 weight rod.
Fly Fishing Outfits, Essence Outfits - Ross Reels USA / Ross Worldwide
Dan
I've heard a lot of good things about the Cabela's Stowaway outfits. Here's the combo. It's a little more than what you're talking about, but if you already have the reel and line, all you need is the rod.
Cabela's: Cabela's Stowaway 6/Prestige Plus Fly Combo
$90 for the rod alone:
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishi...3Bcat105573780
I missed this part before, so you'll obviously need a rod and line. If the Stowaway combo is too pricey, consider just getting the rod and pairing it with a cheaper reel. Cabela's has their Three Forks reels on sale for $30. Bass Pro and Troutlet also have some inexpensive reels. Just add the line, and you're in business.Quote:
Originally Posted by Brad in MS
If a 4-piece outfit is not too long for packing, I'd go with a Bass Pro Hobbs Creek combo, a Cabela's Three Forks Combo or a Redington Crosswater combo. All are between $100 and $150.
Just noticed that the Sci Anglers combos are also 4-piece:
http://www.amazon.com/Scientific-Ang...9704580&sr=8-2
This is the setup I used when first learning to fly fish. Right now it's on sale for $40. Comes with rod, reel, backing, fly line and a tapered leader so all you need is a case. Really surprising quality for such a cheap setup.
Cabela's: Cabela's Cahill Fly Rod and Reel Outfit
thanks for all of the responses.
I have two Cabela's Three Forks rods, and they are top notch setups for the price. I'd definitely recommend checking them out!
I've got a Browning 6 pc pack rod. 8'-11" 5 wt. The handle comes off and you flip it arround and it becomes a spinning rod. You can pack it horizontal. They are hard to find but I really like it when I'm packing in a ways. I got mine on closeout at BPS for about $60
I've seen Eagle Claw pack rods for $20 bucks at BPS & Academy.
You've got plenty of recommendations on the brand and models, so I'll give you my dos pesos on size. If I could only have one fly rod for backpacking and trout fishing, I'd go with a 7' 6" 4wt. If you like to fish big water or some bass fishing, a 8' 6" 5wt is a good place to start. But for backpacking and fishing for wild trout, I'd go with the 7' 6" 4wt...
You've got some great advice so far on rod/reels/lines; don't forget the pre-tied leaders with 2 to 4-pound test tippets, a rod tube to carry the rig in, a small fly box with a combination of about a dozen or two flies (the flies can be purchased/recommended by a shop near the trailhead towns in areas you are going to fish. Wet fly fishing is a lot easier to do than dry flies, and works well in moving water. Get your rig some time before you go, find an open area of lawn and go to it. Surely someone you know can teach you the basics, or you can go on YouTube and search for fly fishing lessons.....and than its practice, practice, practice. Its one of the most-fun ways to spend time...good luck. Let us know how it comes out....DrJon