Fly Tackle advice

[GreyNurse]

HI Raiders,

With a new job in the offing, I've decided it's time I finally assemble a fly fishing combo. About 15 years ago, I was given a Fenwick FF857 fly rod. It's specs are as follows:

2 piece

Labelled 8'6", 3 3/8 oz (? cast weight), AFTMA Fly Line No. 7

9 stainless runners, the bottom 2 on the butt section have standard circular ring guides. The other 7 on the tip section have spiral ring guides. Plus the tip.

A bronzed anodised aluminum reel seat on a cork grip.

It even has a serial number; M 21597

I give you these details in case any of this info helps with what I need, which is a fly reel and line. I have tippets and flies, so that's OK. If I was brought up fly fishing I would probably use this for fresh water species, but I would like to target salt water fish as well, if that's possible.

Now, here's the rub. Not being overly financial, I was planning to do a bit of on line shopping and keep the price of the reel below $25.00. I know that sounds sacrilegious, but consider that I don't want to overly commit at this stage, in if case I decide that fur and feather is not my preferred discipline.

Is there anything that I can specifically look for or, more importantly, absolutely avoid, in that price range. Please don't suggest that "for a few dollars more you could have blah blah blah". I just want to suck it and see, so to speak and allow for the fact that cheap stuff will not allow me the luxury of best practice. For instance, I found a Forsyth 5/6 weight graphite reel for $16. Yes? No?

And I would like a suggestion on the fly line weights I could use and the taper for possibly both salt and fresh water.

[Guest]

you want weight forward 6 0r 7 wt and get a decent fly line as the shit ones don't cast........any reel will do for starters as it only holds your line

[GreyNurse]

Thanks Stewie,

I knew you'd be one of the first to reply. Actually, I'm going to incur the wrath of the boss and spend $30 on a reel that has a carbon fibre drag. I think that's justified. But, as you say, the reel is mainly for holding line.

OK, now to look at lines. Just one question, I've noticed that recommended backing is dacron. Would braid be a suitable substitute?

[Guest no one]

eBay will have some great stuff! My first fly reels were plastic shelled £25 things, caught some beast trout and pike to 12lb in the UK.

As I've said many times it's not the tools it's the workman! But Stewie is correct - WF 7 weight for Aussie Salmon is fine!

[Guest]

you can buy cheap Dacron on line at the E store and 50 to 100 metres is plenty and orange is great

[GreyNurse]

Thanks Ed,

Guys, I'm getting excited. I figure I'll be on the water and flailing in no time. I'll let you know when I go so you can stay clear and not have to hit the deck when I'm casting.

[luderick -angler]

Is the Fenwick glass or graphite or boron thisicscgoing to determine the type of line you put on it a lot of people forget that lines are measured in grains amd one type of 7 weight line may be closer to 7.5 weight than another example rio grand as opposed to a rio perception you don't want to overtime the rod if it's a medium action true to weight rod as opposed to a modern day sage method which is an ultra fast action! See if you can findxaxahop with a few test lines and go for a cast and see what line suits it best also are you doing fresh or salt as these days they have lines for salt and fresh so there's another factor

[GreyNurse]

Luderick -angler,

It's a Fenwick FF857 Fly rod, given to me by a now deceased mate, about 15 years ago. That's all I knew for sure, until now.

Found this at http://fiberglass-fly-rods.pbworks.com/w/page/5182977/Fenwick;
FF857 - 8½ foot, 2 piece, 3¾ or 3⅞ oz., 7 weight. Will work fine with a 7 or 8 weight line. These blanks were made from E-glass with the Feralite ferrule.

And this from DB Cooper at http://www.theflyfishingforum.com/forums/fly-rods/295636-casting-one-fenwick-aficionados.html;
The Fenwick FF857 was definitely one of their more popular/common models. I have 3 of them of varying generations and all three are listed at different line weights and overall weights. A 6,7,8 and sometimes 9 are right in the wheelhouse for these super versatile rods. Fenwick was kind of famous for constantly changing or tweaking their tapers, which is why you see such a variation in this rod model. Its a great rod and i hope you enjoy it.

The M serial number prefix denotes year of manufacture was 1974.

Edited August 4, 2015 by GreyNurse

[hookerbruce]

About 20 yrs ago some one gave me a fly outfit, I didn't know much about it so took it and some black woolly buggers up to Burinjuck dam and caught some carp.

I now have 3 outfits still don't know a lot about flyfishing but always carry it in the boat with me. The number of species is growing.

When I get back from hols in oct I'll send you a PM and try to arrange to have a trip in/out port hacking.

bruce

[luderick -angler]

I would recommend onechou rhe wullff lines they do a long belly it has the benefits of a weight fwd and double taper line in one otherwise there triangle taper would be perfect retail around $80 otherwise the rio mainstream still a quality line but entry level and around $50 to $60. As a glass rodcitsxactuon will be moderate so you will need to slow the casting stroke aclittlecto load it and let the line do its thing if you have never fly cast get a few lessons from certified instructor so you don't pick up bad habits from others. If you don't you can regret it once you learn the art there's no going back! Google the likes of lefty kreh and Chris dore along with peter Hayes all champion casters for pointers. Oh and I think a modern 7 weight line will be best. Good luck and enjoy the journey!!!!!

[luderick -angler]

Oh and lastly when casting itsxalow about the stop and the start in your casting stroke allowing the transition of power and letting that line and leader unroll and then resuming the strokes on the back and forward cast! You will see what I mean when you have aclook on the net! You tube is your friend but still get a lesson! If you google Josh Hutchins he runs schools!

[GreyNurse]

Thanks Luderick-angler,

I was eyeing off the Rio. It is a good line. However, I'll probably get something a little less hard on the wallet to start with. Call it a practice line, if you will. WF7 will be my choice. Just have to decide on whether it will be a floating or sinking line. I'm thinking floating, to target flats fish. I've not done a lot of sight casting, so the fly experience will help me there.

Hookerbruce,

I will take you up on that offer. Have a good hol in the meantime.

[luderick -angler]

Get a weight floater and some of those airflo poly sink tip leaders in intermediate and fast sink in case fish are feeding mid water or on the bottom in deeper water

[GreyNurse]

Yep,

I've been reading up on that. Glad I decided to go with WFF. I've made the purchase from an on line seller who throws in a free leader. I can always sink that with some very small lead weights if needed. As I said, I'm going to have a crack at tying some flies, but there's some nice ones out there to buy.