This is my first and, as of yet, only fly fishing outfit.
This combo is very capable. I caught a pond bluegill within my first 3 minutes of flyfishing. I then pulled out 3 more within about 45 minutes, all on one of the included flies in this package.
My only gamefish to date is the 14" Rainbow Trout in the included picture (don't let the depth of field fool you, it was a nice size and I was elated). I've only river-fished with it twice.
I am a complete novice at flyfishing. I have spent over 100 hours watching videos on the popular video websites by Mad River Outfitters, primarily, and by Orvis Flyfishing Schools. After months of trial and error, I am starting to feel like I know enough to be competent.
From what I've learned:
To start, when assembling your rod, start with the tip section and affix it to the mid section by starting 45 degrees off and then pushing it together and twisting until the line guides align. This is very important. you can jam it together as hard as you want, but if you don't twist at the same time that you are pushing them together, your rod WILL come apart from the casting motion. I learned this in an MRO video.
Second, the included flyline and leader don't come with loops. You'll need to either buy new ones, or learn how to tie a nail knot. I printed a nail knot jig on my 3D printer in order to affix my leader to my flyline. I am currently using a Scientific Anglers 6wt Weight-forward flyline and a RIO Fly Fishing Power flex-Plus 9' 4X Fishing Leader (match the Flyline to your Rod and the Leader to the size of your flies, thanks Brian from MRO!).
Third, if you try to learn your flycast on a pond, you're going to "crud up" your fly line and it won't shoot through the guides well at all. Buy a flyline cleaner/dressing kit to get your flyline to behave smoothly. It's a lot easier to cast on still water when on a bank than in a river where your fly is drifting down the current and you're trying to keep your balance on slippery rocks.
Fourth, watch tons of videos on flycasting and flyfishing in general. They'll teach you knots, how to set up your gear, how to use your gear, and how to find fish.
Fifth, have fun. I catch a lot of pond fish while practicing my casts and will practice in my yard without a fly/hook tied to the end of the leader, just to get better at my casting techniques. Flyfishing is easy to do (just pick it up and then put it down) but takes a lot of knowledge and practice to do well. The enjoyment in the hobby is in the pursuit of mastering the skill.
Happy fishing!
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 36 x 10 x 4.9 inches |
|---|---|
| Package Weight | 2.3 Pounds |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 35 x 7 x 3 inches |
| Item Weight | 2 Pounds |
| Brand Name | Wakeman |
| Warranty Description | 30 day |
| Model Name | Wakeman Fly Fishing Rod and Reel Combo Starter Kit |
| Color | Black |
| Material | Aluminum, Fiberglass |
| Suggested Users | unisex-adult |
| Number of Items | 3 |
| Manufacturer | Trademark Global |
| Part Number | 715237YOU |
| Style | Standard 7pc |
| Included Components | Fishing Pole |
| Size | Assembled Rod: 97” L |
| Sport Type | Boating, Camping & Hiking, Fishing |
| Fishing Line Type | Fly |
| Target Species | Bass, Trout |
| Fishing Technique | Fishing Pole |
| Gear Ratio [(*/10) : 1] | 5 |
| Handle Material | Aluminum |
| Hand Orientation | Right, Ambidextrous |
