Fly Fishing or not

Looking for a new hobby, maybe fly fishing. However I do not know if it is worth all the work because I have never tried it before. What are the advantages of fly fishing vs other types of fishing? Is it really worth getting in to? Also, what are some good books or tapes to educate an amateur like me?

Due you need an addiction?? If so Fly Fishing is for you

ORIGINAL: matthoops33

PeteM,

Thanks for the help! I can imagine what you meant when you described the rainbow and the brown hitting your fly. I would love to get in to fly fishing. The problem with my situation is that no one else in my family fly fishes. My Dad and my uncle, the two people that got me "hooked" on fishing in general don't fly fish. Neither do any of my fishing buddies. So, I guess I'm on my own on this one.

Any help from anybody is appreciated...

Thanks!

Thats how I started, 15 years ago. I didnt even have an internet to look up info. It was trial and error and a lot of questions to people I met on the stream. I wouldnt go as cheap as you can on a rod you will hate yourself for it. Talk to some locals maybe join a TU or some other club with a stream of interest. Get yourself a few flies, read up on technique, watch other fly anglers and ASK them for information. You will be on fish in no time if you really put the effort into it. Most people start with dry fly fishing because thats what they know fly fishing to be. For the begginer it offers the ability to see exactly whats happening. Its downfall is that you usually have to be precise on wild fish. Nymphing is a great thing to start someone on. I started my fiance on nymphing. You can come close with the nymphs, not have a perfect drift and catch fish. Books are good for learning about hatches, feeding lies and such. Experience is the only thing that will teach you what youre doing wrong and how you can correct it.

Lots of videos on youtube. You dont give your location but Ill assume you are in PA. Get a book called, 'The Hatch Guide to New England Streams'. It will tell you what the real flies look like and how to immitate them. Wish I found that 15 years ago. It just became my friend in the last 4 years.

matt
 
there are a lot of good rods for under $100.  look at the st croix priemer at H & H http://www.hookhack.com/specialoffers.html#Anchor-12953 only $60 for a really nice rod for a beginner.  don't waste too much on a reel to start, under $50.  get good line, tippets and leaders though.  plus the flies that were mentioned will set you back at about $200.  try the Trout Unlimited club to meet people with an intrest or take a class at a local fly shop.  don't think all flyshops are out to take you money.  some are very helpful, especially to a beginner because they want to get you started right so you keep coming back.  also let us know where your from and you may get an invite to try it out.  i know i have a few extra rod around and would be willing to do some teaching.  i've helped a few out already and i'm sure there will be some more.

Thanks guys...I live in West Mifflin (PA of course), close to Peters Creek. This weekend I will be headed up to Brockway, pa to my cabin to fish the streams up there with my spinning outfit. I don't have time this week to go out and purchase a fly rod, but hopefully next week I will. I'm looking forward to getting out there and learning.

hey matt
 
i live near zelienople and fish some of the area streams like deer, pine neshanock and the rock.  i'll be glad to take you out a time or 3.  i also have a camp in elk county, between weedville and benezette.  i'll be fishing driftwwod sat then maybe east br clarion or elk cr.  where do you fish when in brockway?