06-02-2009, 04:00 AM
Jim... Im gonna try to make my points without sounding defensive.. so here goes..
first.. on the bubble fly.. as I said before it is a way to catch a fish on a fly but it is no where near how you handle a fly with a fly rod.. first you have the bubble that makes a big splash.. and depending on the fly used it gives a little plink in the water.. in a lot of cases the first noise may attract a fish.. second runs a good chance of scaring it off.. but.. as I said.. for me bubble fly was a good alternative..
btw.. bringing a fly in on spinning reel is no way at all the same as working it in on your fly line..
next.. I agree with FG totally on the casting.. it takes practice a lot of which you can do in any open space without water.. and as was mentioned Joan Wulff has numerous videos on casting (the power stroke is what I think she calls it).. and in particular the roll cast.. .. on limite space streams you can do a short cast and then work you line out a little more by roll casting.. and with roll casting you dont run into the frustration of getting your fly hooked on shrubs and bushes and tree limbs.. or . ... as in my case.. your son inlaws lip..
also as FG said slow down a bit and relax.. let yourself feel what the line is doing... and again that takes practice..
as for making your own rod.. that is a definite slow down and learn to walk before you jump into a sprint... when I first coming to on line sites several very experienced anglers told me to slow down.. I wanted everything.. a new rod.. a new line.. learn to tie up my own flies.. and each of them all said the same thing.. slow down.. get used to using the rod and line first.. then look into tying flies.. reluctantly I followed their advice and do not in any way regret doing so (thanks FG and DR) ..
from what I understand putting together a rod is more complicated and time consuming that tying a fly.. so slow down a bit.. you sound like a person who will keep at it from the small accomplishments like good casts.. first fish.. etc..
PokyMon was dead on with watching ebay for new rigs.. some awesome deals can be had there.. also DR was dead on with keep checking our sales boards.. again awesome deals can be had there..
btw.. I started with the Shakespeare and beat the hell out of it.. it is still in one piece.. is a good backup rod.. and last year my son in law and I got the same kits you did.. and I can tell you that while the line is not their best line.. it is a good line to work with...
so Id say.. keep at it with what you have.. put your pennies aside as you can to upgrade at least your line to like a rio grand or simlilar line.. and you will see and feel a difference..
lastly.. to answer one of your other questions.. it sounds like you spooled the line backwards (yes you can do it because I have done it).. unspool all your line and backing as neatly as you can.. and then while keeping light tension on the line reel it back in using your fingers to spool it on evenly.. when your are spooling it up again reel forward (toward the tip) and all will be well..
okay.. real lastly.. dont hesitate to come on and ask any question that comes to mind.. you have a wealth of expertise on this and other forums and I can honestly say everyone here is more than willing to help as much as they can..
MacFly
[signature]
first.. on the bubble fly.. as I said before it is a way to catch a fish on a fly but it is no where near how you handle a fly with a fly rod.. first you have the bubble that makes a big splash.. and depending on the fly used it gives a little plink in the water.. in a lot of cases the first noise may attract a fish.. second runs a good chance of scaring it off.. but.. as I said.. for me bubble fly was a good alternative..
btw.. bringing a fly in on spinning reel is no way at all the same as working it in on your fly line..
next.. I agree with FG totally on the casting.. it takes practice a lot of which you can do in any open space without water.. and as was mentioned Joan Wulff has numerous videos on casting (the power stroke is what I think she calls it).. and in particular the roll cast.. .. on limite space streams you can do a short cast and then work you line out a little more by roll casting.. and with roll casting you dont run into the frustration of getting your fly hooked on shrubs and bushes and tree limbs.. or . ... as in my case.. your son inlaws lip..
also as FG said slow down a bit and relax.. let yourself feel what the line is doing... and again that takes practice..
as for making your own rod.. that is a definite slow down and learn to walk before you jump into a sprint... when I first coming to on line sites several very experienced anglers told me to slow down.. I wanted everything.. a new rod.. a new line.. learn to tie up my own flies.. and each of them all said the same thing.. slow down.. get used to using the rod and line first.. then look into tying flies.. reluctantly I followed their advice and do not in any way regret doing so (thanks FG and DR) ..
from what I understand putting together a rod is more complicated and time consuming that tying a fly.. so slow down a bit.. you sound like a person who will keep at it from the small accomplishments like good casts.. first fish.. etc..
PokyMon was dead on with watching ebay for new rigs.. some awesome deals can be had there.. also DR was dead on with keep checking our sales boards.. again awesome deals can be had there..
btw.. I started with the Shakespeare and beat the hell out of it.. it is still in one piece.. is a good backup rod.. and last year my son in law and I got the same kits you did.. and I can tell you that while the line is not their best line.. it is a good line to work with...
so Id say.. keep at it with what you have.. put your pennies aside as you can to upgrade at least your line to like a rio grand or simlilar line.. and you will see and feel a difference..
lastly.. to answer one of your other questions.. it sounds like you spooled the line backwards (yes you can do it because I have done it).. unspool all your line and backing as neatly as you can.. and then while keeping light tension on the line reel it back in using your fingers to spool it on evenly.. when your are spooling it up again reel forward (toward the tip) and all will be well..
okay.. real lastly.. dont hesitate to come on and ask any question that comes to mind.. you have a wealth of expertise on this and other forums and I can honestly say everyone here is more than willing to help as much as they can..
MacFly
[signature]