I went out today and got my fly fishing stuff for my birthday ended up getting a Sage DS2 896 (9'6) a Tenton Tioga 10 reel, and for my first line i got some Rio VersiTip Interchangeable tips.

Went out to the river and my first attempt at a cast hit me square dead in the head and i looked egyption with blood in the center of my forehead. After about 40 mins i started getting better at casting and having a blast learning.

Thanks all for suggestions

Most excellent!

Where did you buy your gear, you should pump them for some parking lot lessons in casting. Most decent shops will take the time....

Rob

Good job! I wish I could get my dad to get me a better rod. For my B-Day last year I got an 8wt. outfit from Cabela's. It has a nice Pfluger reel but a Cabela's "Three Forks Rod." Not that I'm complaining because it catches fish. Eventually I'll upgrade to a Sage or a G.Loomis.

Never diss your rod. That's the first rule of fly fishing.

Can you cast a good line with it? That's all that matters. Maybe you would like a stiffer rod, or a softer rod, and that's OK. The only difference between a discount rod that you can cast, and an expensive rod that you can cast, is the money.

I have a WW Grigg 7 wt that I bought 4 years ago for about $40. I have rewrapped the guides, and it is a little soft for long casts with a shooting head, but it is a fine rod all in all. Heck, its even got a solid aluminium reel seat, a good sign of a quality saltwater rod.

I will probably build up a new 7 wt this winter, a Rainshadow XCEL, they are nice stiff rods that can take heavy shooting heads, and keep up a long line, but they are tough to fish all day, as they are so stiff and rigid.

Don't diss your rod.

Yindyen,

Whoa! Be careful there! Sign up for some casting lessons. Many shops and fly clubs offer them. You'll be rewarded many times over. When I got a few lessons and learned how easy fly casting is, it literally changed my life.

Junky,

Heed WW's advice. I have way too many flyrods, ranging from rediculously expensive to ultra-cheap. I caught hundreds of steelhead on an 8 1/2' fiberglass rod I built from parts for about $16. The fish didn't know, and didn't care how much the rod cost. I doubt I'll ever buy a Loomis or another Sage. I got a sweet 8 1/2' blank for $15 at the sport show in Puyallup last winter.

The way to spend your way to fishing Nivana is by buying lessons and guide service, not expensive tackle.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.

I'd have to agree with everyone else. Expensive rods are overrated.... that said, I have 13, 7 of them are sages. I build my own, a fairly easy task which I highly recommend! Cuts you rod costs nearly in half, and you can build them way better than factory! On the other hand, building them is addictive. Thats how you end up with 13 of them.... always trying to build one better. My next will be a rainshadow. They make a nice blank! Also, it sounds like you have a great line. Remember, lines catch the fish, not so much the fly you choose. Use a standard proven pattern, and get it fished at the right level and you'll have success.

Wow, thats quite an impressive first setup..I think the best piece of equipment you got in the deal was the reel...those teton tiogas are pretty darned smooth if you ask me and their price isn't to hard on the wallet either..

Junky, not trying to downplay sage and loomis, but have you ever considered a St.Croix? Fine rods at a moderate price. I own two fly rods one is a cheaper model, but then my new 7 weight is their top end model and you know what? there both sweet. So I might suggest a St Croix, I'm actually getting a rod building kit for my b-day soon and will be building a St.Croix spin rod for tossing spoons..Just me rambling..
Drew

If you earn the money and pay for it yourself you will appreciate it much more

Drew: I have also considerd a St. Croix.

Everybody: I'm not going to change my rod anytime soon. It prabably won't be for a few years and after I get a job. I'm not realy complaining as I love my salmon/steelhead fly rod and am lucky to have one. It also has caught quite a few fish for me this year too!

I just got back from th OP where I tried out my new Rainshadow 9'6" 7wt . I added single foot titanium guides, and a large removeable real seat. It is sweet. I can cast a sinktip and weighted fly a long ways. Great for mending. Has a lot of backbone. This is my 2nd Rainshadow fly rod, plus I have 3 spinning rods. Love them all. Bill does a great job up there.

Elkman

Which Rainshadow did you build up? An XCEL or another?

I think it was the XCL, that's the 51 million mod one? I'll check with my uncle who order the blank.

Elkman

I checked at www.gregscustomrods.com and I see the XCEL is only made in a 9 or 10 foot model, and the RX7 is made in 9, 9.5, and 10.

Now the XCEL is fast action and the RX7 is a more moderate action.