I started fly fishing early and often, became obsessed with hard to catch fish. After 73 years I have had much success, and a few fish that still have eluded my best efforts. In the process I have an impressive fishing resume, and a lot of fly-fishing gear. In the beginning I didn’t have much in the way of rods, reels, waders and basic equipment. I got some help along the way, with casting lessons, and hand me down gear to allow me to pursue new fish that I needed an introduction to.
In August Desert Fly Casters in Chandler has a swap meet that helps repurpose good gear that is not getting used and allows new fishers to pick up some used gear at a bargain price. One needs different gear for different fish. Starting out small stream fishing you don’t need big fly rods, but once you get the bug to do some saltwater fishing you will need bigger rods, stronger reels, and different fly line.
New technology keeps improving gear, making rods lighter, stronger and easier to cast. Some of my 20-year-old rods may have been good at the time that I bought them, but better equipment is now available, and my old rod for a bargain price would allow someone just starting their fly-fishing life an inexpensive way to get started.
Inspecting a fly box that has not been used for a year or more will turn up some rusty hooks and fly-tying materials that have lost their luster. Fluorocarbon and monofilament deteriorate and need to be replaced. I try to rotate my older stuff once a year, especially if it’s been in storage where heat may degrade it.
Learning to fly fish is a lifetime pursuit, you need basic knowledge of knots, gear, casting techniques. When you fish new fish and new destinations you gain a little more knowledge to apply in another situation. Eventually you might get good at this.
Vince Deadmond The Fly-Fishing hardware guy can be reached at vincehasgonefishing@outlook.com and at 489 818 1796.
