[loochy]

Originally Posted by Groves

Bwana obviously has lots of great experience and advice. You can't go wrong following it.

I'm another data point.

I started with a flyrod when I was 9 or 10 and I haven't looked back. Grew up in St. Louis, but had relatives in southern IL. Mostly panfish then. Got into trout when I was a teenager, and my mom was glad when I got my drivers license because I could take myself to the Maramec and Montauk, etc.

Went to college in Rolla, MO, just a short blip from several great fishing areas. Had an extremely small fly-tying business while in college.

Lived in Nebraska for 14 years after college, with a heavy dose of bass fishing with a flyrod. My job took my all around the world, too, so I was able to wet a line on many coasts. Salt water is oh so fun to fish.


All that is to say that I'm by no means an expert, but I've done my share of fishing.


Fly-fishing can tend to have a high-dollar following, and like golf or home fitness can attract men who don't end up pursuing the hobby after their initial (speedy) purchases.

Thusly, you can find some really great deals on the used market. Rods that have barely been flexed. Waders seldom used, etc. Check craigslist, and the bulletin board at your local flyshop.


There are advantages to high dollar equipment, but if you can't cast the cheap rods, you can't cast the spendy ones.

Don't confuse expensive equipment with skill. Skill is attainable. You can do it. Read up. Ask friends and experts for help.

You should easily be able to outfit yourself stem to stern for $200 with very basic equipment. Likewise you can spend 10x that with better.

If you're set on buying new, I'd go with a cheap starter set from a reputable place. When I was growing up, you never found Orvis dipping into the low-end market, but nowadays, almost all of the high end brands also have low-end models. They're cheap, but the fundamentals never change.

You haven't really said what you'll be fishing for, but that will guide your equipment as well.

Several flyfishermen here, so I'm sure we can all chime in as you have questions.

Rolla eh? So I assume you hit up the Current pretty often. I love that river.

Edit: Duh, you mentioned Montauk in your post.