“I never use 6x because what’s the point.” 😂. Awesome. Good tips, Dan. Have always appreciated the instructional value of your videos. You are also associated with some good companies. Love my Dryft waders, especially in the winter. Cortland line and tippet have never let me down. Sunscreen on!
A couple thoughts. Not getting melanoma...skin cancer is a Great Reason to use sun screen. Also...I do wear a vest that is also a life vest. Has come in very handy.
Another tip: if you’re walking with your rod behind you, ONLY do that if your rod is strung up with the fly on your hook keep. Because, Without the line holding things together, a branch can catch one of the guides on your tip section and pull it right off without you noticing (because it’s behind you). When you get to the end of the path and notice you don’t have a tip section anymore, good luck finding it. And that lifetime warranty you had on that pricey Sage/Winston/Orvis rod only applies if you can send them all the pieces. If the tip section is missing-you are even more out of luck.
First tip about the length of line out is golden. Took a new friend fishing once and I kept hearing him swearing and losing patience because he couldn't get his cast going. His life changed forever when I saw he was trying to cast with about 3 feet of fly line and a 9' leader. Simple correction and peace was restored.
I agree on the fly line part. A lot of those beginner kits from Orvis, Cabelas, Reddington, etc. often have a very decent rod and a serviceable reel, but the fly line is usually pretty crappy. That’s the first thing I would replace. Cortland, Rio, and Scientific Anglers all make good lines, but they will cost $80-$100 probably. Unless you’re fishing saltwater, or for salmon/steelhead, you don’t need an expensive reel. The reel is mainly just to store your line. In most of the country, where a beginner is going to be primarily fishing for trout under 18”, bass and bluegill, a very basic reel is fine. I definitely agree that you should NEVER put your reel on the ground, if you can avoid it. If dirt and sand get in there, it will ruin your day until you can take the reel apart a do a thorough cleaning. Especially never put your reel on the bottom of a stream. It only takes a second for the current to carry sand in there.
Hi Dan, great video! I am not the biggest fan of sling packs. Maybe since I live in AZ and its so hot! I have the light weight vest. Again, the same issue. My favorite is my fishpond belt and hip pack. The Hip pack works well for me and my body can breath. AZ creeks a super small and the fully stocked pack is over kill. Yes, an inventory of flys is critical.
I'd like to add a tip you don't often get on fly fishing videos: If your fly gets stuck in branches, weeds, trees, etc. DO NOT immediately try to yank it out. Often you'll just get it even more tangled. Best to get out of the water and see if you can't unhooked it by hand. Also, if you're casting your line and see or "feel" something "wrong" with it DO NOT CAST again!!! Stop what you're doing and take a look. You may end up saving yourself 20 min of frustration, lost line, etc. I learned that the really hard way. Finally: Vests rock. Best if you have back or shoulder issues. Noting is better at distributing the weight of whatever you're carrying. That said, if you want to pack a big ol' lunch (or a few river beers), the vest isn't going to be helpful.
Used to use 6x and I keep some in the bag, but I won't use it after breaking off a ginormous trout 😪. Also went through the waist pack, then vest, then settled on the sling. Still using one after all these years. Important that you try it on at the store if you're integrating a net. I couldn't reach (old age) the Simms net location, although I like where they store it (high and middle); bought the Orvis sling and while it doesn't have a net pocket, I really like it. Thanks for another good video, FFD. ☮ from Idaho...
Love the videos, I've watch over and over still picking up where I think I'm doing wrong and trying to correct , wish I had more areas like where you fish here in Jersey
Great video brother. What state are you in are you fly fishing in Montana I just moved the Black Hills in South Dakota 3 months ago and getting into fly fishing
Fly rods can get expensive and sticker shock is hard to overcome. I have two Sage rods (not endorsing sage). My 4 wt is now in year 40. The 6 weight is now in year 21. Care and overall useage will vary. My point is although it is a big expenditure, it is actually a multiple year investment. Im sure i am not the only one to have a sentimental attachment to their gear.
Thanks Dan for sharing. You do need 6x or 7x for size 20-24 flies. Come to think of it, I have not seen you chase many little blue lines were they disappear from the topo map. Consider yourself harassed. Fish ON.
I agree. Sometimes going from 5x to 6x, or 6x to 7x can make a world of difference when you’re fishing small flies. Fishing tricos on busy water like Michigan’s AuSable sometimes even demands 8x.😱
I am new to fly fishing and as far as I concern the expensive high end rod gives you that edge when the fish is grabbing a bait, to kind of bend and give it, before the hook sets itself or you might set it up if spotted the bite. So what is the point of using an expensive rod and a float then? I mean none of the top European anglers and guides don't do that. Thank you?
Hi Randal - a couple of reasons. I need to be able to trust the fly line I’m using to last and perform. The other is that I only want to recommend those types of products to my audience…so, I recently made the switch to Cortland (which my dad has used for decades). Great company and fly line.
@@FlyFishDan have you not been able to trust Rio products? Seems like they've been a gold standard for quite a while on the fly fishing world. Now don't get me wrong I'm fishing with both Cortland and Rio (I'm still a newbie though) And recently I've been digging the Cortland products over Rio. So, I was just curious. Thanks for all the videos! You totally got me into fly fishing! Would love to go fishing on the Yakima (or other Cle Elum areas) and run into you one day.
Thanks Randal - I started having trouble with RIO this past year (lines breaking, imperfections in the line that cut my fingers, stuff like that). So I switched to Cortland - so far, so very good!
Have a wonderful tip for you Dan and a compliment you have a wonderful smile Fly fishing Dan please do not squander my tip I just didn’t give it away freely hehehehe/ haha
Excellent tips. I might add to spend time practicing knots when you are watching a ball game or whatever. AND...if you get your reel wet (you will) be sure and leave it out of it's case for a day or two to dry out.
the best sunscreen is eating suffecient meat and fat and no vegetable oils dont need toxic synthetic chemicals maybe coconut oil or get a long sleeve if ur staying under it too long. low cholesterol and too much toxins/sugar = wrinkly skin
Investing in waders is the worst advice ever! You can get a cheap pair for $100 that will last a year or two. Or you can get a lower end name brand for $300 that will last a year or two. Or you can get a high end expensive name brand for $1000 that will last you maybe 3 years if you’re lucky. One guarantee with waders, they will leak in a few year or sooner no matter how much you spend!!!
I grew up in the pnw, we duck hunted alot. Always got the hand me down waders, full of holes. I've been prepared for shitty waders my whole life. And you are 110% correct. THEY WILL LEAK NO MATTER WHAT BRAND
I would respectfully disagree with you - I've been buying waders for 40 years and found that investing in the right pair, is the smarter choice. That's why I now wear DRYFT. Cheers!
@@FlyFishDan. I agree. My last pair of Simms lasted 20 years (!) I never would have bought them in the first place, but I was on a trip when my older (not Simms) pair disintegrated, so my choice was between the Simms pair at the local shop or not fishing. “Splurging” that day ended up being a great decision! Those waders outlasted 3 pairs of boots.
“I never use 6x because what’s the point.” 😂. Awesome. Good tips, Dan. Have always appreciated the instructional value of your videos. You are also associated with some good companies. Love my Dryft waders, especially in the winter. Cortland line and tippet have never let me down. Sunscreen on!
Thanks Greg - I appreciate you being a part of my community. Cheers!
A couple thoughts. Not getting melanoma...skin cancer is a Great Reason to use sun screen. Also...I do wear a vest that is also a life vest. Has come in very handy.
Most sunscreens are full of chemicals that cause cancer, not the sun.
Another tip: if you’re walking with your rod behind you, ONLY do that if your rod is strung up with the fly on your hook keep. Because, Without the line holding things together, a branch can catch one of the guides on your tip section and pull it right off without you noticing (because it’s behind you). When you get to the end of the path and notice you don’t have a tip section anymore, good luck finding it. And that lifetime warranty you had on that pricey Sage/Winston/Orvis rod only applies if you can send them all the pieces. If the tip section is missing-you are even more out of luck.
Good tip!
Lol, I’ve done this before. When your rod is green it’s hard to go back and find your tip 😅.
First tip about the length of line out is golden. Took a new friend fishing once and I kept hearing him swearing and losing patience because he couldn't get his cast going. His life changed forever when I saw he was trying to cast with about 3 feet of fly line and a 9' leader. Simple correction and peace was restored.
I appreciate the positive feedback - good stuff!
I agree on the fly line part. A lot of those beginner kits from Orvis, Cabelas, Reddington, etc. often have a very decent rod and a serviceable reel, but the fly line is usually pretty crappy. That’s the first thing I would replace. Cortland, Rio, and Scientific Anglers all make good lines, but they will cost $80-$100 probably.
Unless you’re fishing saltwater, or for salmon/steelhead, you don’t need an expensive reel. The reel is mainly just to store your line. In most of the country, where a beginner is going to be primarily fishing for trout under 18”, bass and bluegill, a very basic reel is fine.
I definitely agree that you should NEVER put your reel on the ground, if you can avoid it. If dirt and sand get in there, it will ruin your day until you can take the reel apart a do a thorough cleaning. Especially never put your reel on the bottom of a stream. It only takes a second for the current to carry sand in there.
Good stuff, thanks for the great comments!
Hi Dan, great video! I am not the biggest fan of sling packs. Maybe since I live in AZ and its so hot! I have the light weight vest. Again, the same issue. My favorite is my fishpond belt and hip pack. The Hip pack works well for me and my body can breath. AZ creeks a super small and the fully stocked pack is over kill. Yes, an inventory of flys is critical.
Love the Shirt! Ben is Da Man!
Great video, and stay huge!
I'd like to add a tip you don't often get on fly fishing videos: If your fly gets stuck in branches, weeds, trees, etc. DO NOT immediately try to yank it out. Often you'll just get it even more tangled. Best to get out of the water and see if you can't unhooked it by hand. Also, if you're casting your line and see or "feel" something "wrong" with it DO NOT CAST again!!! Stop what you're doing and take a look. You may end up saving yourself 20 min of frustration, lost line, etc. I learned that the really hard way. Finally: Vests rock. Best if you have back or shoulder issues. Noting is better at distributing the weight of whatever you're carrying. That said, if you want to pack a big ol' lunch (or a few river beers), the vest isn't going to be helpful.
Great tips, Rosie, thank you! It feels like it’s been a while since I’ve seen you on the channel, I’m glad to see you’re still watching :-)
@@FlyFishDan I got a puppy!!! He's been keeping me really busy😁
Used to use 6x and I keep some in the bag, but I won't use it after breaking off a ginormous trout 😪. Also went through the waist pack, then vest, then settled on the sling. Still using one after all these years. Important that you try it on at the store if you're integrating a net. I couldn't reach (old age) the Simms net location, although I like where they store it (high and middle); bought the Orvis sling and while it doesn't have a net pocket, I really like it. Thanks for another good video, FFD. ☮ from Idaho...
Thank you for being a part of my community - I appreciate that Justal!
Love the videos, I've watch over and over still picking up where I think I'm doing wrong and trying to correct , wish I had more areas like where you fish here in Jersey
Thank you for being a part of my community - I appreciate that!
I like my vest. Compared to the body armor on I often wear for my job, it is light and comfortable
You got me there for sure! Cheers and FISH-ON!!
Great tips Dan!
Thanks!
Another awesome vid Dan.
I appreciate that
Bro thank you thank you this is amazing for beginners
Happy to help! Thank you for watching!
Thanks!
Thank you for the tip! That's awesome, thank you
Most welcome. Wish I could give more. Pls keep up the great work and vids.
Great video brother. What state are you in are you fly fishing in Montana I just moved the Black Hills in South Dakota 3 months ago and getting into fly fishing
Thanks! I fish generally in WA, OR, ID, MT and AK
Some good advice 👍👍👍👍👍!!!!! Tight lines !!
Thanks 👍
Fly rods can get expensive and sticker shock is hard to overcome. I have two Sage rods (not endorsing sage). My 4 wt is now in year 40. The 6 weight is now in year 21. Care and overall useage will vary. My point is although it is a big expenditure, it is actually a multiple year investment. Im sure i am not the only one to have a sentimental attachment to their gear.
I certainly do too - I totally get it!
Thanks Dan for sharing. You do need 6x or 7x for size 20-24 flies. Come to think of it, I have not seen you chase many little blue lines were they disappear from the topo map. Consider yourself harassed. Fish ON.
😂😂😂
FISH-ON indeed! :))
I agree. Sometimes going from 5x to 6x, or 6x to 7x can make a world of difference when you’re fishing small flies. Fishing tricos on busy water like Michigan’s AuSable sometimes even demands 8x.😱
I am new to fly fishing and as far as I concern the expensive high end rod gives you that edge when the fish is grabbing a bait, to kind of bend and give it, before the hook sets itself or you might set it up if spotted the bite. So what is the point of using an expensive rod and a float then? I mean none of the top European anglers and guides don't do that. Thank you?
Dan, did you work for Shaw Construction in Colorado in 2004-2005? You look so familiar!
No sir!
Hey FFD, why the switch to Cortland?
Hi Randal - a couple of reasons. I need to be able to trust the fly line I’m using to last and perform. The other is that I only want to recommend those types of products to my audience…so, I recently made the switch to Cortland (which my dad has used for decades). Great company and fly line.
@@FlyFishDan have you not been able to trust Rio products? Seems like they've been a gold standard for quite a while on the fly fishing world. Now don't get me wrong I'm fishing with both Cortland and Rio (I'm still a newbie though) And recently I've been digging the Cortland products over Rio. So, I was just curious. Thanks for all the videos! You totally got me into fly fishing! Would love to go fishing on the Yakima (or other Cle Elum areas) and run into you one day.
Thanks Randal - I started having trouble with RIO this past year (lines breaking, imperfections in the line that cut my fingers, stuff like that). So I switched to Cortland - so far, so very good!
Have a wonderful tip for you Dan and a compliment you have a wonderful smile Fly fishing Dan please do not squander my tip I just didn’t give it away freely hehehehe/ haha
Thanks 👍
always buy 3 flies, one for the tree, one to lose and one to fish ;-) I hate 6x and 7x,, I can't see them!
Great point! ;))
i only use 10x for my 0wt fly rod bro good for day 1 spawn trout
@@SirPraiseSun 10x.. you rookie.. I use 250X to catch the DNA of the tout! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Excellent tips. I might add to spend time practicing knots when you are watching a ball game or whatever. AND...if you get your reel wet (you will) be sure and leave it out of it's case for a day or two to dry out.
Great tips Dave!
the best sunscreen is eating suffecient meat and fat and no vegetable oils dont need toxic synthetic chemicals maybe coconut oil or get a long sleeve if ur staying under it too long. low cholesterol and too much toxins/sugar = wrinkly skin
Investing in waders is the worst advice ever! You can get a cheap pair for $100 that will last a year or two. Or you can get a lower end name brand for $300 that will last a year or two. Or you can get a high end expensive name brand for $1000 that will last you maybe 3 years if you’re lucky. One guarantee with waders, they will leak in a few year or sooner no matter how much you spend!!!
I grew up in the pnw, we duck hunted alot. Always got the hand me down waders, full of holes. I've been prepared for shitty waders my whole life. And you are 110% correct. THEY WILL LEAK NO MATTER WHAT BRAND
I would respectfully disagree with you - I've been buying waders for 40 years and found that investing in the right pair, is the smarter choice. That's why I now wear DRYFT. Cheers!
@@FlyFishDan. I agree. My last pair of Simms lasted 20 years (!) I never would have bought them in the first place, but I was on a trip when my older (not Simms) pair disintegrated, so my choice was between the Simms pair at the local shop or not fishing. “Splurging” that day ended up being a great decision! Those waders outlasted 3 pairs of boots.
Disagree! I’m on year #20 on my Simms waders.
🙄 sunscreen. Seriously
seriously
He says “don’t just buy one fly” and can’t get Koby a replacement. Cmon bro.
Whenever someone asks me for the hot fly - I just have 'one' left ;))
@@FlyFishDan
Thanks!
Thank you so much for the super thanks!