Looking recommendations for a fly rod and reel.

[BoilermakerFan]

I know there are several members here that break out a fly rod from time to time! 

I need some advice on a good fly rod, reel, and line.  I know most companies recommend an 8 wt. rod for bass.  I can buy a $40 Pflueger 5wt. starter set to get the hang of casting, but I also want to save my money and buy a nicer rod and reel.  I don't need a Sage rod and Abel reel, but man would I love to have one...  My budget is in the $150-$300 range for rod, reel, and spare spool.  If I can get a nice setup with rod, reel, spare spool,  a sinking tip line, and floating line for $300, that would be sweet.  I have Feather-Craft's catalog and I may try to take a trip over to St. Louis for their classes and demo a few rods when I'm ready to make my purchase. 

Fishaholic, I'll definitely try your broomstick and yarn technique this winter too!

Oh, this should be my 100th post! 
Watch out Dawg, Fish, and Mike; here I come!   

[Lipripper]

Boiler good luck with you fly fishing adventure  and congradulation on your 100 post 

[BoilermakerFan]

Thanks Lip.

Man, "crickets"...  Jeesh, is everyone out  or something?    

We had a garage sale this morning and did really well.  The crap we thought wouldn't sell was gone in an hour, the nice stuff took longer or simply didn't go.  A lot of my daughter's dresses didn't sell, but we know we can get more for them this Spring at Once Upon A Child.  Doing all the rest of my chores today so I can go fishing tomorrow!  I can't wait to try my Ugly Otter lures.  I also found a pack of Mann's 9" long Augertail worms in one of my other old tackle boxes. 

[left_turn56]

I have the Pfluger rod you mentioned, and am really happy with it for trout fishing. I have not caught a bass on it yet, so no help there. As for a reel, I have an Okuma Sierra 5/6. It was about $35+- and spare spools are only about $18. It has some nice freatures for an inexpensive reel, disc drag, wooden handle, fairly large arbor. If it is any indication, Cabella's is selling the same reel re-badged as their brand...
left_turn56

[Creel Limit Zero]

One suggestion I would make if you desired to put more money in the rod or line instead of getting an extra spool, is to get the sinking line, Orvis Sinking Instant Tip is good for that which is about $12, but there are some cheaper versions of it out there.  It also gives you the ability to have a faster sinking tip for different situations.  They come in a variety of sinking possibilities, from 2-1/2 inches per second, up to I think 5-1/2" per second.  What you will then have is one reel with floating line, and a couple of sinking tip additions you attach to the end of your floating line to get the fly down.  This would be a replacement for having a whole additional spool and fly line.  Keep in mind,  I suggest this, because even if you get a reel where the extra spool is $20, you still need to put backing on it, $5, and fly line on it, another $20.  So you are up to $50 minumum for the extra spool.  Also, $20 is the minumum really for fly line, they go up to $60 for good fly line.  Casting is a very important part of fly fishing, if not the most important thing, and all this is done without any consideration of the reel. 

If you are going for bass, a heavier weight rod and line is recommended for the ability to throw larger flies.  Having a bass on a 4 weight rod is amazing, but it's hard to get the rat or frog type fly out there with that light weight rod and line.  I'd go 6-8, and would always suggest paying more for the rod and line then for the reel, IMO.  Especially when using a heavy weight rod, you will want the extra $$ going into the rod to save on your arm when casting all day.  Lighter rod's are always more expensive.  There are also size and flex action that you have to consider.  I've thrown St. Croix rods once when I went out on a charter.  They are unbelievable, but quite expensive.  They start at $200, but can get more expensive quickly.  White river fly rods CV@ are great too, and they are $150.  Great price for what you get, a 9 foot 8 weight 3 piece rod only weight 4.1 ounces. 

Will you be fishing tight quarters, or have alot of room to cast.  This will make the length of your rod an important part of what you would choose.  8.6' and 9' are generally the most popular, I would recommend choosing one of those.  You also have to choose the flexibility you would like in the rod, slow, medium, or fast action.  Since you are looking for at bass fishing and 8 weight rods, I would choose at least medium, but fast action is probably the best bet.  You may want to consider going to medium action, which will give the ability to have more fishing options. 

Fly line is also extremely important.  Don't have anymore time to post right now, so will be back later to post.  In the meantime, check out this site, it has alot of usefull information.

http://www.hooked-on-flies.com/rods.htm  It has links for selecting rods, reels, lines, waders, etc...  Hope this helps!

[BoilermakerFan]

Thansk guys.  I'm definitley looking at a 7-8wt. rod for the bass in order to cast the big popper and frog flies. 

The lakes, ponds, and stripper pits are pretty open so I was leaning towards a 9' rod, hadn't really thought too much about the action since most 8wt rods are med-fast or fast. 

I haven't seen any fly lines for under $30, and most of the lines I have seen are $40-$60.  I'll check out the Orvis Tips, then I could justify more money for a better line since I would only need one spool. 

A buddy of mine builds his own rods on St. Croix factory blemmished blanks.  He's checking his inventory and the factory to see what's available in a 7 or 8 wt. rod.