Fly fishing?

MWforumfisher

Having very little success lure fishing for trout and I'd love to get into fly fishing. Anyone recommend a good setup that'll do me for lakes and rivers? Plus what are the best trout spots in wicklow?

BrownTrout

10 ft 5 weight rod if your looking for a one size fits all rod for brown trout.

If your going to be going after rainbows, you might want to bump it up to a 6 weight.

Start off with a floating and intermediate (slow sinking) line ( I recommend Barrio lines, about 25 pounds each).

Any reel will do really, just make sure it's metal and not plastic / graphite.

Some fluorocarbon going from .15mm for rivers up to .22mm for lakes.

Get local advice for flies.

I use Bison waders, about 100 pounds with a free pair of boots.

Kneepads will help keep your waders from getting leaks.

Polaroid glasses will aid in fish spotting and prevent you getting a hook in the eye.

MWforumfisher

BrownTrout wrote: »

10 ft 5 weight rod if your looking for a one size fits all rod for brown trout.

If your going to be going after rainbows, you might want to bump it up to a 6 weight.

Start off with a floating and intermediate (slow sinking) line ( I recommend Barrio lines, about 25 pounds each).

Any reel will do really, just make sure it's metal and not plastic / graphite.

Some fluorocarbon going from .15mm for rivers up to .22mm for lakes.

Get local advice for flies.

I use Bison waders, about 100 pounds with a free pair of boots.

Kneepads will help keep your waders from getting leaks.

Polaroid glasses will aid in fish spotting and prevent you getting a hook in the eye.

Would that setup be expensive? And is fly fishing more successful than lures/ maggots usually

BrownTrout

MWforumfisher wrote:

Would that setup be expensive? And is fly fishing more successful than lures/ maggots usually

The waders and the fly lines are the cheapest you will find (unless you go for rubber thigh waders, about 40 euro)

Everything else can be as cheap or as expensive as you want.

If your on a budget, go for a Shakespeare rod and reel.

If you can afford a bit more, Snowbee have an excellent warranty and won't break the bank.

MWforumfisher

BrownTrout wrote: »

The waders and the fly lines are the cheapest you will find (unless you go for rubber thigh waders, about 40 euro)

Everything else can be as cheap or as expensive as you want.

If your on a budget, go for a Shakespeare rod and reel.

If you can afford a bit more, Snowbee have an excellent warranty and won't break the bank.

Thanks for the help, I'll pop in to my local shop to have a look at a snowbee. Can you recommend any general flys for brown trout, I don't want to end up wits 5 boxes of useless flies like a lot of anglers do 😂

BrownTrout

MWforumfisher wrote:

Thanks for the help, I'll pop in to my local shop to have a look at a snowbee. Can you recommend any general flys for brown trout, I don't want to end up wits 5 boxes of useless flies like a lot of anglers do 😂

Well I tie all my own river flies.

My favourites are:

Dries - any F-fly in size 16

Wets - greenwells glory, partridge and yellow, waterhen bloa, black spider, black and silver spider (All size 14s)

Nymphs - Redneck pheasant tail nymph, hare's ear with a green flash thorax, frenchie nymph, flashback pheasant tails.

For lakes have a look at dunfly.ie and get a selection of wets, buzzers, Diawl Bachs and crunchers.

MWforumfisher

BrownTrout wrote: »

Well I tie all my own river flies.

My favourites are:

Dries - any F-fly in size 16

Wets - greenwells glory, partridge and yellow, waterhen bloa, black spider, black and silver spider (All size 14s)

Nymphs - Redneck pheasant tail nymph, hare's ear with a green flash thorax, frenchie nymph, flashback pheasant tails.

For lakes have a look at dunfly.ie and get a selection of wets, buzzers, Diawl Bachs and crunchers.

Thanks so much for all the help. It's great to get advice, I really hadn't a clue.

SeaFields

BrownTrout wrote: »

have a look at dunfly.ie .

I hadn't hear of them before but that looks to be very good value.

ALANC81

I'll plus 1 on Shakespeare rods all my fly rods from trout to Salmon are Shakespeare. For value for money they are great, just as good as rods twice there price.

BrownTrout

SeaFields wrote:

I hadn't hear of them before but that looks to be very good value.

Yeah I use their Diawl Bachs and epoxy buzzers for rainbows and find them excellent. Despite the price, I've never had a hook fail.

SeaFields

BrownTrout wrote: »

Yeah I use their Diawl Bachs and epoxy buzzers for rainbows and find them excellent. Despite the price, I've never had a hook fail.

I ordered a batch after my inital post. Couldn't help myself with the prices. Got a selection of brown and sea trout flies. Pleasantly surprised at the total cost.

MWforumfisher

SeaFields wrote: »

I ordered a batch after my inital post. Couldn't help myself with the prices. Got a selection of brown and sea trout flies. Pleasantly surprised at the total cost.

While we're talking about flies, do traditional flies or newer, flashier flies work best?

SeaFields

MWforumfisher wrote: »

While we're talking about flies, do traditional flies or newer, flashier flies work best?

That's a how long is a piece of string question! I have every type in my boxes but probably only reach for a handful all year.

All I would say to you is to do two things..seek local knowledge. What works best on one river mightn't get a look in on the river down the road. So ask the regulars and they should show you. If there is no one to ask, trial and error and match the hatch. And second, fish with flies you have confidence in. No point putting something you have no confidence in.

BrownTrout

MWforumfisher wrote:

While we're talking about flies, do traditional flies or newer, flashier flies work best?

Both! Depends on the day

MWforumfisher

Got recommended a second hand partridge 10 ft 7 weight rod in my local tackle shop. Thoughts?

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

A 7 is too much for average river Trout fishing. Try for a 5.

MWforumfisher

Emiliano Moldy Watermark wrote: »

A 7 is too much for average river Trout fishing. Try for a 5.

IS partridge a good brand though

minktrapper

I think it is a big help if the fly reel is balanced on the rod.In other words the reel and rod should rotate around your wrist.It should be balanced in your hand.Also a good quality line is a big help.

I like cheesepuffs

BrownTrout wrote: »

Yeah I use their Diawl Bachs and epoxy buzzers for rainbows and find them excellent. Despite the price, I've never had a hook fail.

Ditto!

MWforumfisher

Put a deposit on a second hand 10 ft partridge with line reel and spare spool. Getting excited now

BrownTrout

Emiliano Moldy Watermark wrote:

A 7 is too much for average river Trout fishing. Try for a 5.

Agreed, even a 4wt isn't too light for 99% of river fishing

MWforumfisher

BrownTrout wrote: »

Emiliano Moldy Watermark wrote:

A 7 is too much for average river Trout fishing. Try for a 5.

Agreed, even a 4wt isn't too light for 99% of river fishing

Ah jaysus yous are all bursting my bubble

Olwas2014

I would recommend barrio mallard fly lines. Free shipping to Ireland and are only around 35 euro compared to 70 euro rio line. It is brilliant casting quality and are brilliant lines. I have these lines in 7 and 5 weight and I love them.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

MWforumfisher wrote: »

Ah jaysus yous are all bursting my bubble

Do not get a 7 weight for river trout. please!!

MWforumfisher

Olwas2014 wrote: »

I would recommend barrio mallard fly lines. Free shipping to Ireland and are only around 35 euro compared to 70 euro rio line. It is brilliant casting quality and are brilliant lines. I have these lines in 7 and 5 weight and I love them.

What do you use a 7 weight for?

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

MWforumfisher wrote: »

What do you use a 7 weight for?

Salmon.

MWforumfisher

Emiliano Moldy Watermark wrote: »

MWforumfisher wrote: »

What do you use a 7 weight for?

Salmon.

OK ok so just to make sure what rod length and weight should I get if I want to fish for brownies and rainbows in streams rivers fisheries and maybe lakes

BrownTrout

MWforumfisher wrote:

What do you use a 7 weight for?

A 7 weight is very much an out and out boat rod or sea trout/ single handed salmon rod.

It's just too heavy for the delicate presentation needed on the river.

Now my first rod was a 10ft 6in 6-8wt Daiwa and I caught fish with it on rivers, but it's a different animal to we'll balanced 4/5wt river outfit.

MWforumfisher

BrownTrout wrote: »

MWforumfisher wrote:

What do you use a 7 weight for?

A 7 weight is very much an out and out boat rod or sea trout/ single handed salmon rod.

It's just too heavy for the delicate presentation needed on the river.

Now my first rod was a 10ft 6in 6-8wt Daiwa and I caught fish with it on rivers, but it's a different animal to we'll balanced 4/5wt river outfit.

Thanks for the help. I really like the partridge so I'm going to go and buy it for rainbows and sea trout, but also save up for a shakespeare agility rise. Now the final decision is 8 ft 6" 4 weight or 9ft 5 weight?

BrownTrout

MWforumfisher wrote:

Thanks for the help. I really like the partridge so I'm going to go and buy it for rainbows and sea trout, but also save up for a shakespeare agility rise. Now the final decision is 8 ft 6" 4 weight or 9ft 5 weight?

Well that's up to you!

Olwas2014

I use my 7 weight as well for fishing for brown trout on a lake if it's very windy and I want to get a fly out on the water. And I use it for boat fishing and single handed salmon fishing.

MWforumfisher

BrownTrout wrote: »

MWforumfisher wrote:

Thanks for the help. I really like the partridge so I'm going to go and buy it for rainbows and sea trout, but also save up for a shakespeare agility rise. Now the final decision is 8 ft 6" 4 weight or 9ft 5 weight?

Well that's up to you!

Haha I guess I have to make some decisions for myself thanks

Olwas2014

I use the shakespeare agility range. They are brilliant rods. I even got an experienced fly caster to try it out and he said its a lovely rod and a dream to cast with and said it has the same quality of his expensive rod and he said its very good for the price also.

MWforumfisher

Ooh one more thing is 7 weight 10 ft rod too light for salmon, if I'm getting a 9 ft 5 weight is there any point in getting a rod just a foot and 2 weights different

BrownTrout

MWforumfisher wrote:

Ooh one more thing is 7 weight 10 ft rod too light for salmon, if I'm getting a 9 ft 5 weight is there any point in getting a rod just a foot and 2 weights different

A 7 weight will be grand for all but the heaviest salmon and the strongest currents. Just make sure you use strong line.

There's a huge difference between a 10ft 7wt and 9ft 5wt.

My most used rod is a 10ft 3wt and that's a different beast again to a 5wt

Olwas2014

The 10 foot 7 weight is short and light but it should be able to handle summer salmon fishing conditions

SeaFields

Olwas2014 wrote: »

I use the shakespeare agility range.

I have heard nothing but good things about them to be honest.

MWforumfisher

SeaFields wrote: »

Olwas2014 wrote: »

I use the shakespeare agility range.

I have heard nothing but good things about them to be honest.

Normal agility or rise? I'm stuck between which to go for, they appear the same(to a beginner at least)

Olwas2014

The agility rise is stiffer in action compared to the normal agility. Even though they share the same name they are different feeling rods to cast. I would prefer the normal agility. Is there any way that you can go into a tackle shop that stocks these rods and just pick up the demo versions and just try them out if you are allowed and see which one you prefer.

ALANC81

I own the agility in a 7 weight fast action 11' and I think there a really good rod I also have a 7 weight sigma fast action 9'6" and it's every bit as good. The fast action is a very good compromise it allows you to use the same rod for your average river fishing on small trout but it can still handle big rainbows and salmon up to 10-12lbs weight. I really like the fast action 7 weight for me it's a 1 rod does all.

MWforumfisher

Well lads, Just got my first fly rod setup, a beautiful shakespeare rise 8 ft 6 inch 4 weight reel and line. Real excited to try the dodder tommorow

ALANC81

Now all you need is a lot of practice and as much patients. Best of luck with the new setup.

Olwas2014

Best of luck and remember to be patient with the learning. If you can it would be good to get an instructor

jack01986

MWforumfisher wrote: »

Well lads, Just got my first fly rod setup, a beautiful shakespeare rise 8 ft 6 inch 4 weight reel and line. Real excited to try the dodder tommorow

Good man. Watch some casting videos on youtube to give yourself an idea where to start.

MWforumfisher

Holy f**ck I think I'm in love. Went down to the dodder and Milltown and I was greeted to rising fish, beautiful scenery and of course helpful people. Got free casting lessons, free flies, gink etc. That river and the people that fish it are amazing. About 5 rises and one hooked fish, alas didn't manage to land any. Still good for a first days fly fishing, hope there's many more to come

ALANC81

It sounds like you've been bitten by the bug. Happy learning and happy fishing.

Olwas2014

Yes that is the thing about fly fishing. It becomes addictive! For me, I landed a trout on my first lesson. He was small but very welcome. Hope you land a trout soon.

MWforumfisher

I'd like to just give a big thank you to everyone who helped me out get into fly fishing here. Absolutely love it now, caught a good few Brownies and I'm currently chasing after a salmon or a nice sea trout. Cheers once more lads and tight lines

goopee

MWforumfisher wrote: »

Well lads, Just got my first fly rod setup, a beautiful shakespeare rise 8 ft 6 inch 4 weight reel and line. Real excited to try the dodder tommorow

How do you find that rod for Dodder/Tolka fishing?
I'm looking for a first rod, mostly for fishing in those rivers.
Would you suggest even something lighter?

Cheers!

jack01986

goopee wrote: »

How do you find that rod for Dodder/Tolka fishing?
I'm looking for a first rod, mostly for fishing in those rivers.
Would you suggest even something lighter?

Cheers!

No need to go any lighter on the Dodder.

MWforumfisher

That setup is absolutely perfect for the tolka and the dodder, I'd be looking for a 4 weight in between 8 and 9ft. Im very happy with the Shakespeare rod, I had no problems with it at all.