Fly Noob

[DSchlact]

I have posted out here for a while now and have seen how much fun ya'll have with those fly rods.  I have owned a pretty crappy fly rod for a long time...and by crappy I mean the $40 starter kit from pfleuger (that included rod, reel, backing, etc...casted in the yard and have tried it a few times out on the water, but usually just end up getting frustrated...set it aside and pick up my spin gear so I can start catching fish...

Anyway - I pulled it out again yesterday and spent some time casting it on the Stones...and actually caught a few fish.  I'm going to admit I have a long way to go...but I really enjoyed fishing that way for the first time.

As you can imagine, that thing is a bear to cast and I'd like to look into something to replace it with.  I don't have much of a budget, so I want to use as much of what I currently own as possible.  My father-in-law gave me a vintage Martin Model 63 reel that I've considered pairing with a rod for creek/river fishing.  The reel doesn't say it is rated for a specific rod weight...not sure if it is supposed to or not, but it is smaller and I'm guessing 5/6 would be appropriate.  If it is stupid to use a vintage reel, then I could always pulle the pfleuger reel off that setup and use it.

Any suggestions for a budget-conscious noob...I'm really just not in a position to put much money into it right now, but would certainly appreciate any of your suggestions.  Most of my fishing will be middle TN river/streams...targeting bass, smallies, panfish and the occasional trip to tailwaters in the region.  Really just looking for something a little easier to control that will help me get more experience under my belt.

So I know that was a little long winded, so here's what I'm looking for:

1) Rod suggestions
2) Reel...use the vintage Martin...or the Pfleuger?

Thanks in advance...

Dave

[jgray]

Dave,

Your Martin 63 will hold a WF6 and about 50 yards of 20lb backing, plenty for black bass.

I'm not sure where you are in TN, but you should go to Cumberland Transit to talk to Grumpy about rods!

[MikeA]

Are you interested in used?

[DSchlact]

I'm in Murfreesboro...trip to Nashville is not out of the question...

New/used doesn't make too much of a difference to me.

[MikeA]

Shoot Jarrod White a PM. He's looking to thin out some of his gear.

[jkilday4]

Used ought to be a good way to go.  I didn't have any used sources when I started out so I went with a reasonably priced TFO rod ($99) and an Okuma reel ($?).  Redington CD reels I put money into on next couple of rods...not sure of the model they have now in that price range.  FWIW, if you think you'll want to change line when fishing (from say floating to intermediate to sinking etc), it would pay to invest in a decent reel (like I did with the Redington CD's) that have spare spools available on the market...makes changing lines on the water a breeze.  I bought those 5-6 years ago and would like to have another spare spool, but they are no longer on the market so I'm forced to hunt on ebay, Amazon and the like.

[grumpy]

Unless you're a collector, i'd use the reel, probably won't be worth much in our lifetime anyway. There are several rods marked down at CT, i'd bring the reel with you to make sure the reel foot will fit these modern rods regardless of where you buy, the foot was a little larger back in those days.

Grumpy

[DSchlact]

Thanks grumpy...I may try to swing by the shop and take a look the next time I get into Nashville.

I will also add that if anyone is open to trades I have a few "antique" items I'd be willing to part with:

1 - Antique drafting table...we paid $200 at a local antique shop:


2 - Antique US Postage Stamp dispenser  (looks just like the one in this picture...excpet it is the actual dispenser, not a painting of one:  http://fineartamerica.com/featured/25-cent-stamp-dispenser-bill-owen.html)

Let me know if you are interested...in the meantime I'll continue looking into the other options suggested.

Thanks again,
Dave