Fly Fishing Outfits
How to choose a fly rod
With an industry full of space age terms and space age claims how do you choose the right fly rod for your fishing needs? One that will provide a lifetime of pleasure and performance, but wont cost you a second mortgage.
Todays entry level graphite fly rods in the $100 – $200 range are as good as premium rods of just a generation ago. Like everything else advances in manufacturing and technology have provided the fishing rod manufacturer with new tools and techniques to produce a quality fly rod.
Lets face it most casting is done in streams of about 20’ – 30’ in the spring and less as the season gets along. Fly fishing expert Tom Morgan said, “ During the last forty years most trout have been taken from 20’ to 40’ and I expect the next 50 years will be the same.” Some fly fishing guides go as far as to advocate learning to cast and catch fish at 10’ to 15’.
So with this in mind long casts are not always necessary. Although a good presentation is.
If you are a beginner there are a bewildering number of terms relating to fly rods. Lets take a look at the ones that we will need to get us fly fishing.
Fly Rod Actions
Our choice of rod material will be graphite.
Fast – Tip flex: The top 1/3 of the fly rod flexes under line load. This rod loads very fast and requires quick timing and reflexes.
Medium – Mid flex: The upper ½ of the rod flexes under load. This action is slower and allows a more relaxed casting style. It is a good flex action for the beginner fly fisher. It is a more forgiving and less frustrating rod action to cast when starting out.
Slow – Full flex: This rod flexes from tip to butt. This action produces a slow recovery rate and a slow line speed. In my opinion this action doesn’t produce the power required for a hard hook set.
For our money a Mid flex graphite rod would be a good choice in terms of casting stroke, hook setting power and all around fishing performance.
Remember a good quality entry level rod can be purchased for $100 – $200 and we can assured that we are getting a decent fishing rod with many years of use. One we didn’t have to 2nd mortgage our house or use the kids college fund to purchase. Remember a good rod needs to come with a good warranty. So when you catch a car door it won’t hurt as much.
line weight and rod length and reels
When we have decided on our type of fly rod we need to decide on our line weight and length of rod. If you are going to fish small streams 15’ across a shorter rod might be in order. But an average 8 ½ foot is about right for most of our fishing needs as length goes. As I think most of our fishing is in the 20 foot to 40 foot range casting range a 8 ½ foot rod gives us good leverage and casting power.
Line weight is somewhat determined by the fish we will be fishing for. But a good all-around weight forward floating 6wt is a good choice and one that you won’t go wrong with on most streams. A weight forward floating line will load our rod quickly and is good for flies from dries to terrestrials and into a moderate wind on our medium action rod.
For a balanced system we ill need a 6wt fly reel for our rod. A good reel can be bought for $50+ after all its basic use is to hold the line. You as the fisher person do 99% of the work. Get a disk drag reel. Any good fly fishing book or store clerk can show you how to put backing and your line on your reel.
This rod will meet 90% of stream fishing needs.
Leaders for fly fishing
So we have decided on a 8 ½ 6wt medium action fly rod and a 6wt disk drag reel. With our 6wt line we are best suited to fish hook sizes 1/0 to 12s and with the correct leader we can push this to 16s and 18s
A good all purpose 9 foot knotless taper leader is our choice. The spring trout fishing here in the North East is a good time to use Blue-winged-olives in sizes 12 to 16 so a 4x leader is our choice. To this we can add a 12 inch 4x tippet and we are set. But remember we can fudge our numbers and use a 3x to 5x tippet to extend our fly sizes with no harm done.
How to fudge and rearrange our gear to suit our fishing is the essence of fly fishing. It is what will take us to the next level.
Review of setup
So to review we have created a balanced fly fishing system of:
8 ½ foot 6wt medium action graphite fly rod
6wt disk drag reel
9 foot knotless tapered 4x leader
4x tippet for hook size 10 – 14
This is our basic balanced system for trout fishing in most of the streams we will encounter. We can cast 20 feet to 40 feet with it. Fish fly size 10 – 14 with our tippet. And have a great day of fishing with it. With this outfit we can change-up our tippet and line type and extend our fishing range to meet our fishing needs. The essence of fly fishing is to be as changeable as the streams we fish.
Put your outfit together, tie a piece of yarn to the tippet and practice casting. There are more books and videos on the market about fly fishing then there are fish in all the streams.
Any good book will get you started casting and reading the stream. Take a lesson from a casting instructor. But get out there and fish.
Warranty
As with any purchase a lifetime warranty is a must. Never purchase a fly rod without one. I have caught 2 car doors with mine. Lets not forget the ever elusive ceiling fan. With a good warranty you can get your rod fixed with little or no cost to you.
About the Author
Lifetime fly fisherman. To learn more about fly fishing and ask questions please visit my blog. http://why-bass.blogspot.com
Leland Fly Fishing Outfitters – American Angler Fly Shop of the Year
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ROSS ESSENCE FLY FISHING OUTFIT 9′ 4 pc. 7/8 wt. Rod, Reel, Line MINT $99.99 |
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St Croix Rio Santo Fly Fishing Outfit RSK804.4 8′ 4wt Rod & Fly Reel $200.00 |
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St Croix Rio Santo Fly Fishing Outfit RSK865.4 8′6 5wt Rod & Fly Reel $200.00 |
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Redington Crosswater Fly Fishing Outfit 5wt 9ft 0in 4pc $139.95 |
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Redington Crosswater Fly Fishing Outfit 8wt 9ft 0in 4pc $139.95 |
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FLY FISHING STARTER COMBO OUTFIT trout rod reel line leader loops flies &booklet $147.48 |
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FLY FISHING STARTER COMBO OUTFIT rod reel line leader & backing, Saltwater ready $147.48 |
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Cortland 444 Flyrod Flyfishing Outfit DT5F 8ft $150.00 |
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Cortland 444 Flyrod Flyfishing Outfit WF3F 7ft $150.00 |
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Cortland 444 Flyrod Flyfishing Outfit WF5F 8ft $150.00 |
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Cortland 444 Flyrod Flyfishing Outfit WF5F 4pc 8ft $158.00 |
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TROUT FLY FISHING STARTER COMBO OUTFIT rod reel line backing leader fly & loops $167.28 |
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SALTWATER FLY FISHING STARTER COMBO OUTFIT rod reel line backing leader fly loop $167.28 |
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Sage Fishing Flight Fly Rod Reel Outfit 4wt 9ft 0in 4pc $500.00 |
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Ross Reels Flyrise 2 Outfit W/ Line Brand New Fly Fishing Reel Sale $99.99 |
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Scientific Anglers Fly Fishing Outfit Panfish 5/6 4pc 9 Foot Graphite Rod $99.95 |
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New Ross Reels Flycast 4 Fly Fishing Reel Outfit w/Line,Backing and Leader $65.97 |
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Brand New Ross Worldwide Journey Youth Fly Fishing Outfit Blue $226.99 |
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Brand New Ross Worldwide Eseence Fly Fishing Outfit Black 3/4 wt 8ft 6in $239.99 |
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Cortland Pre-Loaded Fly Fishing Travel Outfit 9ft. 9/10wt. $159.95 |
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Ross Journey Youth Fly Fishing Outfit, Blue NEW! $229.00 |
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Ross Essence Fly Fishing Outfit, 3/4 weight NEW! $250.00 |
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Ross Essence Fly Fishing Outfit, 5/6 weight NEW! $250.00 |
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Ross Essence Fly Fishing Outfit, 7/8 weight NEW! $275.00 |
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Ross Essence Elite 8′6″ 3wt. Fly Fishing Outfit, NEW! FREE SHIPPING! $299.00 |
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Ross Essence Elite 9′ 5wt. Fly Fishing Outfit, NEW! FREE SHIPPING $299.00 |
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Ross Essence Elite 9′ 8wt. Fly Fishing Outfit, NEW! FREE SHIPPING! $325.00 |
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Redington 590-4 Pursuit Fly Fishing Outfit $179.95 |
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Redington 690-4 Pursuit Fly Fishing Outfit $179.95 |
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G-Loomis GL3 Fly Fishing Outfit $40.00 |
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New St. Croix Rio Santo Fly Fishing Outfit kit RSK908.4 $175.00 |
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New St. Croix Rio Santo Fly Fishing Outfit kit RSK906.4 $175.00 |
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New St. Croix Rio Santo Fly Fishing Combo Outfit Rod RSK906.4 New Rep Sample $149.99 |
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FLY FISHING OUTFIT SHAKESPEARE FY-12L KIT 8′ THREE PC. ROD REEL AND LINE $19.99 |
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FLY FISHING STARTER OUTFIT rod reel line backing leader $167.28 |
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OKUMA INFUSION Premium Fly Fishing Outfit / Combo F-904-4 9ft 4pc BNIB $89.99 |
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OKUMA INFUSION Premium Fly Fishing Outfit / Combo F-904-8 9ft 4pc BNIB $89.99 |
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Sage Fly Fishing 590-4 Vantage Outfit 9ft 0in 5wt 4pc $395.00 |
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Sage Fly Fishing 690-4 Vantage Outfit 9ft 0in 6wt 4pc $395.00 |
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Sage Fly Fishing 890-4 Vantage Outfit 9ft 0in 8wt 4pc $405.00 |
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Fly Fishing Cortland Fly Fishing Outfit GREAT NEW $240.00 |
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Fly Fishing Outfit DAIWA Wilderness 6pce fly rod + SNOWBEE XSD Fly Reel #7/8 $189.58 |
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SCIENTIFIC ANGLER BASS FLY FISHING OUTFIT 4 PC KIT $84.99 |
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Complete Steelhead Fly Fishing Outfit 10′ 7 Weight $349.00 |
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Complete Steelhead Fly Fishing Outfit 10′ 8 Weight $349.00 |
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X RARE J L HARDY BALANCED FLY FISHING OUTFIT BOOKLET $63.18 |
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Scientific Anglers Fly Fishing Outfit Saltwater 7/8 4pc 9 Foot Graphite Rod $109.95 |
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Ross Reels Journey Youth Fly Fishing Outfit-476-4 Blue $229.00 |
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Ross Reels Journey Youth Fly Fishing Outfit-476-4 Pink $229.00 |
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Redington Minnow Kid’s Fly Fishing 2 pc Outfit New $84.95 |
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Scientific Anglers Fly Fishing Outfit Trout 5/6 wt 4pc 9 Foot Graphite Rod $99.95 |
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Scientific Anglers Fly Fishing Outfit Bass 7/8 wt 4pc 9 Foot Graphite Rod $109.95 |
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JOHNSON 30 PIECE FLY FISHING OUTFIT *READY TO FISH* NIP $24.99 |
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Redington Fly Fishing Crosswater Fly Reel Outfit 4/5/6 $59.95 |
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Redington Fly Fishing Crosswater Fly Reel Outfit 7/8/9 $59.95 |
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REDINGTON CROSSWATER COMPLETE 4 PC FLY FISHING OUTFIT $139.95 |
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Ross Worldwide Essence Fly Fishing Outfit 3/4wt 8ft 6in $250.00 |
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Ross Worldwide Essence Fly Fishing Outfit 5/6wt 9ft 0in $250.00 |
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Ross Worldwide Essence Fly Fishing Outfit 7/8wt 9ft 0in $275.00 |
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Ross Worldwide Journey Youth Fly Fishing Outfit Blue $229.00 |
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Ross Worldwide Journey Youth Fly Fishing Outfit Pink $229.00 |
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Scientific Anglers Fly Fishing Outfit Trout 5/6 wt 4pc 9 Foot Graphite Rod $99.95 |
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Scientific Anglers Fly Fishing Outfit Saltwater 7/8 4pc 9 Foot Graphite Rod $109.95 |
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Scientific Anglers Fly Fishing Outfit Bass 7/8 wt 4pc 9 Foot Graphite Rod $109.95 |
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Redington Minnow Kids Fly Fishing Outfit $99.95 |
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Sage Fishing Flight Fly Rod Reel Outfit 9wt 9ft 0in 4pc $510.00 |
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Sage Fishing Flight Fly Rod Reel Outfit 6wt 9ft 0in 4pc $495.00 |
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Sage Fishing Flight Fly Rod Reel Outfit 5wt 8ft 6in 4pc $500.00 |
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Ross Journey Youth Fly Fishing Outfit, Pink NEW! $229.00 |
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Redington Minnow Kid’s Fly Fishing 2 pc Outfit New $84.95 |
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St. Croix Rio Santo Fly Fishing Outfit RSK804.4 $200.00 |
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St. Croix Rio Santo Fly Fishing Outfit RSK865.4 $200.00 |
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St. Croix Rio Santo Fly Fishing Outfit RSK905.4 $200.00 |
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St. Croix Rio Santo Fly Fishing Outfit RSK906.4 $200.00 |
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St. Croix Rio Santo Fly Fishing Outfit RSK908.4 $210.00 |
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Super quality Fulling Mill Fly fishing outfit ready to fish Carp combo 9ft 7/8wt $110.57 |
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Ross Reels Flystart 4 Outfit W/ Line Newest Model Black Fly Fishing Reel $90.00 |
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$139 NEW LL BEAN Spin Fly Combo Outfit Fly Fishing Kit Rods Reel w/ Carry Case $119.95 |
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Ross Reels Flycast 4 Outfit W/ Line Titanium Fly Fishing Reel Black Friday $75.00 |
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FLY FISHING STARTER OUTFIT rod reel line backing leader $167.28 |
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FLY FISHING TROUT OUTFIT rod reel line backing leader $196.97 |
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FLY FISHING SALT OUTFIT rod reel line backing leader $196.97 |
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Cortland Ready-To-Fish Complete Fly Fishing Outfit New! $119.99 |
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Complete Bass Fly Fishing Outfit 7 Weight Fly Rod Fly Fishing Reel Line Leader $299.00 |
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Fisherman Children’s Costume $40.00 495-L Size: Large Features: -Fisherman costume. -Available in toddler T2, toddler T4, small 4-6, medium 8-10 and large 12-14 sizes. -Material: Polyester. -Comes complete with shirt, pants, vest, bait bag and hat…. |
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Okuma VS-605-20 Voyager Spinning Travel Kit $39.99 Okuma Voyager Travel Spinning Pack… just the thing for the trail! Great for travel, camping and backpacking! Take this handy Fishing Kit just about anywhere! Includes 5-Pc. 6′ graphite composite rod teamed-up with a spinning ball bearing reel. And when you’re done fishing, everything packs away in the soft-sided, space-saving carry case! Light, corrosion-resistant aluminum spool. Durable ceramic… |
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Crystal River Fly Fishing Combo Kit $15.49 Pre-packaged combos make selecting the right equipment for getting started a snap. The Crystal River fly fishing combo kit eliminates the guesswork that can be so intimidating to a newcomer. Features include an EVA foam grip that won’t slip in your hand. Instructions for tying five basic fishing knots and general fly fishing techniques are included…. |
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Daiwa Mini System Minispin Ultralight Spinning Reel and Rod Combo in Hard Carry Case $44.19 Daiwa Mini Spin Travel Pack. When you end up with a little extra time and access to your favorite fishing hole… this travel pack makes sure that you’ll be ready for action! There’s even a special built-in tackle compartment inside the ultra-compact hard case! You have everything you need in an easy-to-carry module. Mini Spin Reel (MS-S500T) has ball bearing, twist buster to reduce line twist, fo… |
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Quarrow 8′6 inch 5 – Pc. Fly Combo $89.97 Quarrow 8′6″ 5 – Pc. Fly Combo is performance on the line. Catch yours here! Quarrow, 25 years of experience and still topnotch! From fly rod virgins to seasoned anglers, that brook trout or steelhead will be putting up a fight in no time with this 5-Pc. rod and reel Fly Combo. You can almost feel the fish tug and your adrenaline start to flow. Just the stuff you need to wet a line and sport hours… |
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Beginner & Kids Fly Fishing Rod & Reel Combo Complete Kit $59.99 This is a great way to get started with fly fishing. Crystal River complete fly fishing kit includes: 5,6,7 weight fly rod 8 feet long in 3 piece, 5,6,7 weight fly reel, floating line, 2 flies, 4X leader. Everything you need to get started on the water!!… |
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Fly Logic 5 Weight Fishing Rod Reel Line Combo Kit Complete Outfit with Instruction Guide $219.99 New, Fly Logic Combo Kit. Included are the Optimum Series, FLO 905/2 fly rod, FLP567/C fly reel, both by Fly Logic. 100 feet of #5 weight forward floating fly line with loop on tag end. 195 yards of 20lb micron backing, fly reel pouch, fly rod sock and rod tube, and Fly Fishing Tactics Book. You add the flies and the leader and you are ready to fish! If you want a U.S.-made fly reel and rod that i… |
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Gold Medal II Fly Fishing Outfit $79.99 Take it to the stream with the Gold Medal II fly fishing outfitLightweight 9-foot graphite fly rod is perfect for hours of fishing fun |
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Gold Medal II Fly Fishing Outfit 8.5 foot $74.99 Take it to the stream with the Gold Medal II fly fishing outfitLightweight graphite 8 1/2-foot fly rod is perfect for hours of fishing fun |
