Fly fishing reel - comments or advice

[Lyle]

I am looking to try my hand at fly fishing.
So I have a rod, a Shakespear. I cannot remember the dimensions or weight. But will post tomorrow.
So looking for a reel and came across this.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/230787593820?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

I want to try in the salt water esturaries around the Nelson Bay areas.

Anyone with experience can offer advice? (I know "do not cross over to the dark side...") :D

[Christos]

Not done fly fishing myself so can not comment on the reel. I will say that it is very cheap and if you decide to purchase this and it does break while trying to land a fish then don't worry about it. Not a lot of money has left your hands to try something different.

Then again what sort of line are you going to use? :rolleyes:

[Arron]

There's probably nothing wrong with that reel. You'll get your first couple of years fishing out of it, and maybe later you can upgrade to something more expensive if you wish. Then you can keep that one as a backup, loaded with a line you rarely use.

Its mostly plastic, so wont corrode, just make sure you rinse it out and spray water dispersant onto the metal parts after each time you take it in the salt water.

If it corrodes, it'll probably be the drag system that goes first. Just rip it out. You don't need a drag on a fly reel like that because it has an exposed rim - just palm the rim with your hand to slow a fish down.

That reel is not suitable for big fish, but will have no problem with bream and flathead, bonito, salmon and rat kings.

You don't need an expensive reel for fly fishing. They are a nice-to-have, not a necessity. Years ago, when in NZ and focusing on trout fishing, I bought a couple of $4 fly reels and used them relentlessly, catching hundreds of fish on them. Then about 10 years ago in this country I took up saltwater fly fishing and paid the same money as you ($17 each) for a couple of fly reels and used them to catch hundreds - no, thousands - of saltwater fish and they still work.

Thus it annoys me somewhat when I see people pushing expensive reels like you need them or they are going to increase your catch rate or something.

Spend your money on really good lines, with a decent saltwater line costing $70 these days you're going to need it.

And maybe buy a good rod once you have some experience and know what you are looking for.

With a good line and a good rod you can cover the water quicker, further and more accurately so they have a substantial bearing on the number of fish you catch. A reel is just a thing to store line.

cheers
Arron

[Lyle]

The rod I have is a "Shakespeare Flymaster Graphite Fly 1755-255, 96% graphite, 2.5M with line rating 5/6"
So the reel is a 5/6, and should be an OK balance, I hope.
I have communicated with the seller on ebay, he is in Oz at least.
So thanks for the inputs.
I'll give it a go.

Line, I'm not sure. I'll take the setup to a fishing tackle shop and see what they advise.
I'll probably not put a hook on for a while, just practice, practice, practice casting first.

Lyle.

[Arron]

Balance for a fly reel isn't really something that important to a beginner. The two things about balance are:
1. that it doesn't feel like a lump on the end of your fly rod. This reel is graphite so no problems there.
2. that it can take enough line for the type of fishing you are doing. The truth is that in estuary fishing its pretty rare to have a fish take more then your fly line and 50 metres of backing - I don't think I've ever seen it in fact.

That's for saltwater fishing - which is pretty crude as fly fishing goes. If you're fishing a chalk stream then it may be different because you need an ultra-careful cast so you don't spook the fish so very light and well balanced lines/rods/reels are required.

So you should be fine balance-wise.

[Lyle]

Thanks Arron. Balance, I was thinking of it as overall.
Balance with the weight aspect you mention, also the right balance for rod, reel and line.
eg small ree, light rod, but 100Lb line, wouldn't be the right balance overall. Hope that makes sense.
So I was looking at rod which has the 5/6 and reel 5/6, so will look for advice as to waht line.
I know there is a lot in that selection too. Type of material, taper, leader, type/size/weight of fly/lure etc.
So I was going to take the kit out to a BCF/tackle shop and ask for advice.
I want to tackle bream, flatties, so I'll take advice.

I might even just use no hook, for the 'karma' of the casting. It looks so relaxing to be on the water just enjoying being there.

Lyle.

[Lyle]

OK, so I now have rod, reel, and a line coming. Looked at the youtube videos.
So now to try it out. Looks easy, so what can go wrong.... :D
I'll let you know after Christmas.
Lyle.
Merry Christmas to you and yours.

[Arron]

FYI: The Sydney estauries have been invaded by bonito. I havent heard much about Port S. but its probably the same. Bonito have a pathological weakness for tiny 'eyes' flies - so if you havent caught your first fish on fly yet and have a boat then get out there. Just cruise around till you see some surface disturbance, get in close and chuck a fly into the middle. Retrieve quickly - skill and style dont matter. You'll have to move quickly though, they dont feed on the surface for long.

It's fun chasing surface predators, but I notice most people soon get bored with bonito as they are too easy.

There are also lots of rat kingfish about now - much harder to catch though. When they are free schooling you basically need to pop your fly into the middle of a surface feeding frenzy when all caution is abandoned - otherwise they follow but dont touch.

In about 20 days the frigate mackeral will turn up (migrating from further north). Though not of much interest to most anglers they are a good fish for those starting out with fly fishing - as they love small eyes flies and will hold in a surface-feeding school for longer.

Cheers
Arron

[Lyle]

Thanks Aaron. I am a long way from taking on those type of fish.
I haven't even wet a fly line yet.
I just got my line yesterday and am in the process of gearing it to the rod/reel.
Then I have to teach myself how to cast etc.
I used this site www.troutflies.com.au (http://www.troutflies.com.au/).
I will seek their advice on what fly/lure to use in this area.
I am excited to get out there and try my skill/luck.

Lyle.

[Robson Valley]

What did you get for line? For top water fishing, I've always liked a floating line.
Hooking a fish is more fun to watch.

1. Learn to tie a barrel knot to add 60-80cm to the end of your leader. That way, you rarely need to cut the actual
leader after changing many flies.
2. When you get some recommended flies, buy a little packet of the same size hooks.
Tie up a little mess of colored fuzz and thread of similar size AND cut the point off the hook.
You need that to put some drag in the end of the leader to get the cast to unroll properly.
And, of course, to see what you're doing.
3. After a trip on the salt, strip the line into the sink and wash everything thoroughly in fresh water = pretend it was raining.
There are different metals in the reel and salt-water galvanic corrosion will wreck things.
4. Don't fish with a leader that has wind knots in it. Fish break off too easily.

I fished windy west coast rivers for many years. Built a 9/10 rod with a Rodon seat, Fenwick blank.
If I had to do it again, 8'6" #7 would be my choice.

[Arron]

Hey Lyle, if you are still around, can you answer a couple if questions:

I've been hearing reports of lots of kingfish of all sizes which regularly hang around a breakwall at the Nelson Bay marina. Do you know anything about these?

Also, sydney has been invaded by thousands of tiny mackerel tuna which are spoiling the fishing and cleaning out the baitfish. Is it the same in Port Stephens?

Cheers
Arron

[Lyle]

Sorry Aaron, I got caught up on life for a while.
I heard about the kingies in the bay. I haven't been there for a while but the reports in the free paper here say they have been smashing the lines around any formations. I have had a couple of short beach fishing trips along the inside beaches of the bay. No luck really, just the odd whiting, nothing to keep.
Still haven't tried the fly fishing gear in anger yet. I need to practice more.

[yvan]

Sorry Aaron, I got caught up on life for a while.
I heard about the kingies in the bay. I haven't been there for a while but the reports in the free paper here say they have been smashing the lines around any formations. I have had a couple of short beach fishing trips along the inside beaches of the bay. No luck really, just the odd whiting, nothing to keep.
Still haven't tried the fly fishing gear in anger yet. I need to practice more.

Hello Lyle,
Casting practice is most commendable but why not practicing where you will be actually fishing? In doing so you will experience and deal with a range of fishing conditions you are unlikely to meet practicing on a lawn. And, you might even catch a fish as a reward for efforthttp://d1r5wj36adg1sk.cloudfront.net/images/smilies/happy/biggrin.gif

Yvan