Topic: Best Fly Fishing co*bos for Beginners of 2023 (Read 71 times)
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All you can ask for when getting little kids started in fly fishing is that they like it. The Gecko will help in this regard. The handle—colored in sort of a camo-flecked green—is designed to acco*modate two-handed casts, which is sometimes easier for little arms. The rod is a bright, eye-catching yellow. This rod’s medium-fast action is very relaxed and forgiving, which means kids don’t have to work that hard to get it going.
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The Sage Foundation Outfit has much of what Sage offers at its higher price points. The rod is quick and powerful, and casts well at all distances. Its fast action, however, might require practice from true novices. The reel has a durable exterior, and the disc-drag is sealed, so it’ll last a long time. The Rio line that co*es with the outfit is smooth and slick, which makes it excellent for trout and other freshwater species.
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Cabela’s throws in everything but the kitchen sink with this outfit. Rod, reel, line, leader, nippers, forceps, gear pouch, fly box, and even flies co*e with the Prestige Fly Outfit, which means you’ll be ready to hit the water fast. The medium action of the rod is great for beginners, and the solid reel is a good bargain. This is a true beginner’s outfit, so those who quickly take to the sport may soon move to higher quality products.
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I learned to trout fish on an 8 foot 6 inch Orvis rod, so I have a natural affinity for this one. The medium action is great for beginners, and it’s also arguably the best way to learn how to fish dry flies for trout. This also forces beginners—who might rush their casts by muscling the line out of the rod—to slow down and actually feel how the rod works and how it’s connected to your fly. The reel is plastic, rather than aluminum, so it’s not terribly durable. And you’ll need to rinse it well if you use it in saltwater.
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Traditionally, most fly anglers start with trout, bass, or other smaller species. These days, some start by going big, with a trip to the Florida Keys or Mexico for tarpon. Those folks should take a good look at Hardy, which has long been a leader when it co*es to fishing for the giants in the saltwater world, like tarpon, jacks, and giant trevally. This Hardy co*bo (an 11-weight rod with an 11-weight reel), which isn’t a true co*bo , is the best way to enter the big fish game. The fly rod is medium-fast, which helps punch out flies into the wind (which you are almost guaranteed to see on the ocean). The fly reel is made of bar stock aluminum, which means it’s tough and salt-safe, and the disc-drag is one of the best in its class at slowing down the biggest sea monsters.
The Hardy Zane Pro was one of the top performers in the Outdoor Life saltwater fly rod test. Read the full Best Saltwater Fly Rods review to learn more.
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The Vice co*bo co*es with a fetching bright green rod and a reel that leaves the drag side blank so you can customize it with your own decals. While the manufacturer says the action is “fast,” I felt it was more “medium-fast,” which is better for beginners. It throws medium-to-long casts well, but is a little less accurate on shorter ones. The Rio Mainstream line is well-suited for beginners, with a heavy front taper, which allows for easy loading of the rod and longer casts. It’s a great co*bo for the beginner who prizes fun and creativity.
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One of the fastest-growing techniques in the sport of fly fishing is two-handed casting, and it can actually be an easier way to learn how to fly fish (little kids sometimes have to do it out of necessity). The Streamlight Ultra II Switch is a great way to get into two-handed casting without breaking the bank. The “switch” part of the name means you can cast this rod with either one or two hands. On bigger rivers, you’ll appreciate the ability to do the latter. This medium-fast rod shoots line extremely well, especially when using a two-handed cast, and it doesn’t feel too heavy when using only one hand. The drag on the reel is of good quality, and the Rio Switch Chucker that co*es with the outfit is top notch.
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Another fast-growing segment of the fly fishing world is Euro nymphing, which is sometimes known as “contact nymphing.” The idea behind the method—which employs long rods and smaller diameter lines—is to be able to get your nymphs deep and maintain contact with them so you can feel delicate bites. This fly co*bo, featuring a 3/4-weight rod, is designed by the Englishman, Howard Croston, who has won the World Fly Fishing title twice, thanks to his prowess as a contact nympher. This method can be a bit intimidating to dive into, but this outfit makes it a bit easier, matching the rod, reel, and line. The rod’s tip is sensitive enough to feel almost all takes, and the reel’s close frame will keep thinner lines—and your leader—out of the reel.
There are a few things to consider when choosing the best fly fishing co*bo for beginners. Is this for a little kid or an adult? What type of water will you be fishing, and what type of species will you be targeting? Generally speaking, I like to fish 3-weights to 6-weights for trout. A 7-weight, for me, is an ideal largemouth bass rod. For inshore saltwater (bonefish, redfish, striped bass), 8-weights to 10-weights usually do the trick. And the big fish—tarpon, big jacks, sharks—require 11-weights and above. Though some people start their fly angling careers on big fish, I’ve always believed that the best rod for a beginner is a smaller one, maybe a 4-weight or 5-weight rod, that’s 8 feet 6 inches long (for