Advice for the fly

[Fish-Master]

Hi all,
Just got a couple of questions for all of you fluff chuckers.
I fish all methods and have been using the fly on and off for 20 odd years,
I currently have a 7wt rod and an old shaksphere reel (small arbour) with 7wt dt line, I currently have no backing due to the size of the reel.
This season I plan on using the fly a lot more and plan on landing a few big ones, should I just replace the reel with a large arbour reel and add backing, and keep the current rod, or should I begin from scrath? the rod is a Daiwa graphite, not sure what model.
I had only used the set up in rivers where I caught small river fish.

Thanks in advance.

F.M.

[lunkahunter]

If your going to get serious with the fly this season why don`t you treat yourself to a new setup. There are plenty of good rod and reel combos on the market and i reckon a 5 or 6 weight setup for lake work would suit you. One word of advice is don`t skimp on the flyline, buy the best you can afford. Cheers Mark. ps DON`T FORGET THE BACKING.

[rexyviney]

Everyone will have their favs when it comes to fly line mate. Pick one of the more popular ones and you'll no doubt have a good experience. I've used Rio Windcutter and even though it cracks after a few seasons, it still floats and casts well.

I have been taken to the backing twice - once was in a privately stocked farm dam believe it or not, but you need it and a large arbor reel is my preference (less line memory I've found).

Spend the money on a 5wt or 6wt rod (good all rounder).

Cheers

Rexy

[azza]

I'll second the rio windcutter line as a good choice! I've tried quite a few brands and types and for all round performance in my view it's the most versatile line and has very low memory which is handy if you aren't going to use it as often as you like. Definately large arbour will help with memory issues as well.

[TassieDevil]

I'm trying the new Windcutter II. Just loaded it on the new reel tonight

[rexyviney]

Let us know what you think TD - I'm getting new line this season.

[azza]

Yep windcutter 2 is the one i've been using the last two seasons. You guys will love it!

[Fish-Master]

Thanks for the tips guys,
One more thing, Which is better a two piece rod or multi ? eg 4 piece.
And what sort of line eg: weight forward, double tapper, floating sinking etc.

Cheers,
F.M.

[azza]

It all depends on the fishing you are going to do in regards to the line. A good general starting point that will cover most bases where trout are concerned and is more user friendly is a weight forward floating line. If you were mostly chasing sea runners and salt water species an intermediate or sinking line would be more appropriate. With rods it can also come down to what you are doing as well as where you will be going e.g a 9ft 4 piece rod is going to be easier to hike somewhere with than a 10ft 2 piece with the 4 piece being a much more compact unit when broken down. If mainly fishing from a boat or easily accsessible lake a 2 piece might be more convenient as it is easier/quicker to assemble/dissasemble. It really comes down to personal choice and needs in the end but these are some things to take into consideration fish master.
A word of warning: once you polaroid a trout, place the fly a couple of feet in front of him, watch the sip and take and set that hook then the fish wont be the only one hooked!

[Sageman]

i agree with lunkahunter treat yourself to a new setup , as for backing its a must atleast 50 yards or so of 20 pound plus ive been taken out to the backing a few times out west , as for fly lines its a personal choice i personally dont go much on rio i use scientific angler mastery gpx WF lines on my rods and they are fantatsic , i would be going into your local fishing shop telling them the type of fishing you want to do and see what they reccomend , id say a 4 piece 5 weight matched with a large arbour reel will be the go as it will cover lakes and rivers .

[lunkahunter]

As sageman said backing is a must and put the maximum amount on too. I'm putting more backing on my reels as i was nearly spooled a couple of times in the western lakes last season otherwise it could cost you the fish of a life time.

[FisherDAN]

If you don't want to spend the coin to upgrade I would be looking at your Shakespeare reel and seeing if you can fit some yardage of backing between the spool and flyline. If not it must be a pretty small reel. I've got an old Shakespear clicker fly reel myself and it had plent of room for backing. A mate of mine uses a pretty old rod and reel and he keeps up with me fish for fish on most outings. In my opinion, better gear won't necisarily catch you more fish in most cases. Better quality gear is nicer to fish with though. Got a Rio Windcutter II line and its a good line also.

[howqua]

Fish- master you can always cut your doube taper line in half if you are not going to update your gear
If your a crap caster like me and most other flyfishers a half a fly line will be plenty.
Just a word of warning i would steer clear of the Rio wind cutter as sugested by a few others here i have cracked at least 3 of these in the last 2 or 3 years
one was replaced under warranty i have now switched to Scientific anglers gpx they have a pretty good wrap.