02-07-2014, 06:42 PM
[#0000FF]Hey Todd, fly fishing...with "traditional" flyrod, reel, line, leaders and flies...is ONE method of fishing. But because it DOES require a lot of dedication, skill, perseverance...and money...it is not for everybody.
We live in a mountain state with a lot of trout fishing. That creates and attracts more folks to using fly fishing gear. More places and more fish upon which to practice, with the expectation of success. But not everybody who tries it develops a passion for it. Those who do are sometimes insufferable elitists. Those who don't are not really lesser people, despite what those who do would have you believe.
Just as with float tubing or other specialized fishing methods, people develop their own personal preferences about fly fishing...waters, species, top water, subsurface, big fish, quantities over quality, etc. Nobody is ever 100% right or 100% wrong. Just different....for their own reasons.
That's why...again just as with float tubes...some folks are always selling their gear. They either tried it and don't really care for it...or someone gave them something that they will likely never use. And with a lot of us fisherfolk, we are always lusting after something better (more costly) and want to sell the older version to help finance the newer.
My only advice on buying used gear is to make sure you know enough about it to be able to make a good deal...and to make something on it if you turn around and resell it. Obviously, some stuff is not going to be worth handling. But you might also luck into a valuable old bamboo rod that can bring big bucks from someone who knows and appreciates it.
Like others, I grew up in a large family of fishermen, as a kid in Idaho. A few of my fly fishing uncles and cousins helped me put together some useable tackle and flies and coached me on the casting. I'd like to think I gained a fair proficiency. I have fished fly gear all over the country and have caught most of the catchable species on flies.
I still own several flyrods and reels...and lines. But I have largely ignored them for several years. Not because I don't like fly fishing, but because I enjoy other types of fishing more. And I take exception to the statements (by fly fishing snobs) that "anybody can catch fish on bait". Fishing with lures (other than flies) and with bait often requires a level of skill and "fishyology" too. Sometimes maybe more.
It seems like every year one of my New Year's vows is to include a flyrod on my tube arsenal more often. And...just like losing weight...I don't make it. But, I have fun doing what I do and that is what is important.
[/#0000FF]
[signature]
We live in a mountain state with a lot of trout fishing. That creates and attracts more folks to using fly fishing gear. More places and more fish upon which to practice, with the expectation of success. But not everybody who tries it develops a passion for it. Those who do are sometimes insufferable elitists. Those who don't are not really lesser people, despite what those who do would have you believe.
Just as with float tubing or other specialized fishing methods, people develop their own personal preferences about fly fishing...waters, species, top water, subsurface, big fish, quantities over quality, etc. Nobody is ever 100% right or 100% wrong. Just different....for their own reasons.
That's why...again just as with float tubes...some folks are always selling their gear. They either tried it and don't really care for it...or someone gave them something that they will likely never use. And with a lot of us fisherfolk, we are always lusting after something better (more costly) and want to sell the older version to help finance the newer.
My only advice on buying used gear is to make sure you know enough about it to be able to make a good deal...and to make something on it if you turn around and resell it. Obviously, some stuff is not going to be worth handling. But you might also luck into a valuable old bamboo rod that can bring big bucks from someone who knows and appreciates it.
Like others, I grew up in a large family of fishermen, as a kid in Idaho. A few of my fly fishing uncles and cousins helped me put together some useable tackle and flies and coached me on the casting. I'd like to think I gained a fair proficiency. I have fished fly gear all over the country and have caught most of the catchable species on flies.
I still own several flyrods and reels...and lines. But I have largely ignored them for several years. Not because I don't like fly fishing, but because I enjoy other types of fishing more. And I take exception to the statements (by fly fishing snobs) that "anybody can catch fish on bait". Fishing with lures (other than flies) and with bait often requires a level of skill and "fishyology" too. Sometimes maybe more.
It seems like every year one of my New Year's vows is to include a flyrod on my tube arsenal more often. And...just like losing weight...I don't make it. But, I have fun doing what I do and that is what is important.
[/#0000FF]
[signature]