Who all on here fly fishes?

I've asked this before, but it was a while ago.

Anyone interested in going and teaching a novice some new tricks? I've really enjoyed the little bit that I've done, but could probably use some more help and I always seem to learn the most just being out there with someone that "knows what they are doing".

Where are your favorite places to go (not asking for secret spots)?

Good topic... I've been fly fishing over 50-years now.

Once a month I head to the NC mountains to catch trout and/or smallmouth bass.

If anyone wants to do some free fly fishing in the mountains, simply let me know and you can meet me there at the best trout river in NC. You would pay a guide $350 for the same trip.

It's a fun day...

Forgot to say... I have some farm ponds in AL to fish for bass and huge coppernose bluegills. If you would like to fly fish for them, pm me.

I have a few fly rods. That does not make me a fly fisherman. I do enjoy it though. I mainly use them in small water around here. But the one thing I enjoy as much as anything is stalking shallow water redfish with a fly rod.

jono23, I'm not located near you or I'd offer take ya. I love fly fishing and enjoy getting others involved in the sport. Since you're in the b'ham area, have you taken any of the classes at Orvis? They have 2 free casting classes that are top notch (and come with good coupon books).

I'm self taught via youtube - look up any casting instruction videos from Lefty Kreh and you'll be good.

my wife took personal casting lessons from Lefty several years ago. He is an unbelievably talented flycaster, tremendous distance with very little effort.

I have fly fished all my life, caught my first tarpon on a fly when i was 16. I'd rather saltwater fly fish than anything else in the outdoors. Nothing quite like hooking a 100+ pound tarpon on a fly wand!!!! Or watching a fly line scream across the water behind a 30 pound cuda. Or watch a big 25 pound snook stalk and blast a topwater deerhair bug.

Try accessing the Cahaba off the Grants Mill Road access. It has some beautiful water in there that should hold some fish.

There is a fly shop below smith dam. A friend of mine owns/runs it. I'll pm you his number if you want. He's a fly fisherman Monday-Saturday and a preacher on Sunday. Really good guy.

Is that the Riverside Fly Shop? I've stopped in there. Super nice guys. Never really talked that much with them, but were always helpful when I asked.

I am local to you. I'd be glad to help you out. I fly fish exclusively, and am no expert, but have done it for about 10 years now and have caught Canadian musky to FL red snapper to LA redfish to NC trout to Alabama smallmouth and redeye, all on the fly.

Shoot me a PM

That's it

There are few things as relaxing as being on a boat on a saltwater flat, scanning for shadows or tailing or the flip of a minnow, and then stalking and casting. I've only done it with spin/cast gear because my fly skills suck (because I won't practice), but there are few places like a big saltwater flat.

The last time I was down, my boat mate wanted to catch a permit on fly. The guide told him it would be very tough and they'd have to cover a lot of water. I told him I didn't mind as long as I could get some shots at cuda if we saw any. I think I took three casts that day, hooked a good one, and he had one opportunity. But we were both satisfied for trying.

Islamorada wouldn't be a bad little place to live.

Don't get overwhelmed by all the info out there. I've been doing it a long time and it really is simple and effective. A good article to read is Non Technical Flyfishing by Cliff Hilbert. There's a ton of good moderately priced equipment out there. Some of the best for the money is a Temple Forks Outfitters TFO690 rod - $130 and Okuma SLV56 - reel $60, paired with a good WF7 floating line. You can get setup for less than $250. The 7 wt line loads the 6 wt rod to it's max and you will get great distance. Good luck and have fun.

7wt is a big gun, unless you're strictly throwing big flies for bass, it's a little overkill. Depends on what you're primarily doing. I like a 5wt for general versatility between bass and trout. Kind of one rod to do it all. However, you'll find everyone has their own preference.

I will agree that TFO is one of the best rods out there for the money. I prefer a Lamson or Orvis reel. Both Redington and Allen make good reels too. I own all of them.