Nebie/Want to be

I have fished all mylife (47 Years) and owned a few fly rods but was clueless when I bought them, and then again when I used them. I hate to start off on the wrong foot and I know this is a loaded question how ever here it is. I love to fish for steelhead on Eries Tribs. and have only used spinning gear to do so. I want to start fly fishing and thus here is the question. I want to purchase a rod, reel, line, and flies ect. to start. If you were to make a starters kit list what would the list be. I know this is a tall order, however since I've been reading this discussion board it seem like their is a lot of experence out there. So if you were guiding me what would you hand me to fish with for steelhead in Erie's Tribs. being new to fly fishing.  Thanks Mike R.   

mike i use a 8 wt redington mostly for steelheads i release most of my fish so i like to get them in quickly and back in the water witout to much stress if i want to keep a fish or two and their is some area without many people fishing ill use a 5wt or a 6wt and play them but if their are other people fishing its better to get them in quickly  my 2 cents

Well Mike, welcome to the world of fly fishing! I embarked on my fly fishing obsession when I was a young lad of 14 and have been at it ever since.  For the Erie tribs a 9'-10' rod in 7 or 8 weight is a great place to start until you start to hone your skills.  The reel should  have a good quality disk drag to help protect your tippets and fight tough steelies without breaking off all the time.  As a starting point, FishUSA offers several combos that are priced at a good entry level.  Here is a link to all the fly combos they have
 
http://www.fishusa.com/RodAndReelCombos-FlyFishingCombos_c.html
 
Their Fly Fishing page is also a good place to check out all the other fly gear you might need to take to the water.  http://www.fishusa.com/FlyFishing_c.html
 
If you want to talk to someone about the gear and what might fit you best, just give them a call.  When I first moved to Erie about 5-6 years ago they really helped me get started.  Their number is 1-800-922-1219. 
 
Good Luck!
 
 
 

I would go with a rod that is 9'-10' and a 6-8wt. A quality reel with good drag, preferebly mid or large arbor. Orvis has some great rods and reels that are on sale now. Decent fly line and leaders/ tippet. Got to have some chest waders and I would recommend getting a wading belt with a back support for long days on the tribs. Polarized glasses are also a must. As for flies, go with plenty of sucker spawn, chrystal meth, glo bugs, estaz, and other egg patterns. All in various sizes and colors because you never know. Don't forget your nymphs and buggers also. Pretty much what everyone else said, lol. This link will be helpful also.
http://forums.fishusa.com/Steelhead_fishing_101%25%25%25By_Formerguide%21/m_103195/tm.htm
 

i think i'm in the same boat at Mike R.  I have had some cheap outfits in the past and am looking to buy a decent outfit for steelheading. I'm pretty sure Orvis makes quality stuff and I was looking at the clearwater II rod and battenkill mid-arbor reel, but not sure whether to go 6 weight or 7 weight? as it turns out, the 6 weight is approximately 60 bucks cheaper or so, but i'd rather spend extra cash and get the right thing. is this a quality set-up?

Smallie- I fish the Erie tribs with a clearwater II in a 10' 7wt tip flex. The only drawbacks I have seen with the Clearwater are that it is bit heavy and just a tad too stiff for my tastes( I should have got the mid-flex).  The price was right and my other 7wt had snapped right before I bought that one.  It certainly gets the job done, it is no the prettiest rod but it fishes pretty well and carries a good backing from Orvis.  That is another good thing about Orvis; they have some of the best customer service on the market.  If you can get a good price on the rod that would be a good starter rod for you.  Since you are really just starting out I would recommend a 7wt. in the 9-10' range 
 
What length and flex were the rods you were looking at?
 
I know many people who own battenkill reels; I never heard one of them ever having trouble with them.  They seem like they are a very good reel for the price.   

When I bought my Clearwater last year mine (10' 7wt) was less than $120 shipped to my door.  In the $200 price range I would have to say there are better rods out there.  I would say it is a decent rod for $120 and a marginal rod at $200.  I was under the impression that you found one that was on sale.  In that range I think you would be better suited with a TFO Professional series rod or a Cabelas LST.  I have fished the TFO rods and they are very nice for the money.  I have a 9'9" 5wt Cabelas LST I use for big water trout and I love it, I almost bought the 9'6 7wt for steelhead and I probably should have.  Even better Cabelas has them on sale right now, they are normally about $180 and they are now $110.  Another option I will suggest is to find a used rod.  Sometimes you can get very good deals on high-end rods that are slightly used or a discontinued model.  Most of the warranties are transferable so if something should happen they would take care of you.  One that comes to mind, if you could find one now, would be a Sage SLT.  You can sometimes find them now in the mid $200 range and they are awesome rods, they were discontinued a little while back. 

On the subject of determining what weight you want, you need to decide what you will be doing with the rod.  If you will only be fishing steelhead and maybe occasional bass I would go with the 7wt.  If you want a rod that you can still use for inland trout or panfish a 6wt will be better suited.  If you plan to fish steelhead and maybe occasional salmon an 8wt would be my choice.  You are likely to hear some varying responses as to what line weight is the best, these are just my personal opinions. 

when looking for rods for steelhead, do not get a fast action or even a med/fast.  a mod or mod/slow, i feel, is better for protection light tippets when the fish makes a sudden surge, as they prone to do.  so if the states it's a tip flex or is rated at 7 and up, i think, it's too fast.  other will disagree.  i use a 6 wy but sometimes feel i could use a 7wt.  an 8wt is good if you really want to lean on fish and use heavy line.

Thank you everyone for the advise. I purchased a Orvis Clearwater II rod 10' 7wt with a battenkill mid arbor reel. Now some advice as to what to use when and how. Tippet lenth, leader lenth and wt. How to rig the flies. I like to fish elk alot, but Iam open minded. I may even sneak off a day and go up this week. Again thanks for everything.

 
Buy and read The Steelhead Guide by John Nagy.  There are other steelhead fishing books out there but this might be the best.  It contains just about all you need to know about fly fisning the Erie tribs.  Well worth the money.

hey mike. i have 4 rods and reels for sale under fly fishing tackle. come by and cast any or all of them. my cell and home number are on my posting. all equipment is brand new. i personally love to fish stealhead on a 10'-7wt. its easy to mend with and it rolls like a dream. all rods have registered warrenties and i have the boxes for all reels. i just have to much stuff. all of the combos cost me at least $600 and i have them posted for $250 a combo. i'll swap rods and reels if you want. give me a call.