Hi im a NOVICE!

really wanna get into flyfishing, not just for trout but for everything.  would like advice on a first flyrod to get me started.  i will probably start using it in the local streams and creeks that hold trout bass catfish walleye, up erie for steelheads, and then hopefully be abel to use it anywhere eventually

I'd suggest a 6 myself just because most beginners will want a moderate-fast action rod and most moderate-fast rods in a 5 wt aren't powerful enough for a beginner at steelhead.  Also, most beginners on steelhead will want to fish lower walnut or somewhere else that there are plenty of fish (and thus plenty of people).  An inexperienced fly angler in crowded conditions with a slightly underpowered rod adds up to some frustration all around.
 
A 9' 6 wt with a moderate fast action and a decent disk drag reel will do you well to catch almost anything in fresh water and enough saltwater to make it worth bringing.
 
Thanks,
Rick

TA   I am about to put the finishing touches on an 8'6" 5 WT..  I decided I am going to sell it because I have too many now...  If you are interested shoot me a PM with your phone number  ..  If you get in touch with me soon maybe I can do some personalizing on it for you...  I'll give you a great deal....
 
Skip

Thats what I fish all the time  Works great on the streams you fish ... I live on one of those streams

TA, if you're fish'n P.A. streams a 5wt. 8'6" is the perfect rod for me. i fish everything from small native streams to the clarion river for smallies. i'm not saying a 5wt. is not right for erie but just start'n go with something a little heavier. nagey suggests at least a 9' medium to medium-fast. steelies produce a lot torque taken off and quick jolts. if you aren't ready you'll break off with a fast rod. i just got a 9'6" orvis rod for this season. i get comments about the length but for high sticken, driften and playing a fresh chromer i wouldn't want anything else for the price. one rod for so many kinds of fish is really hard to pin point for someone just getting in on the fun of fly-fishing. good luck ~doubletaper

Believe me your not going to spend all your life fishing small streams if what you said about all the species of fish you want to fish for. Go with the 8' 6" or a 9' 6wt. , your going to need some back bone for casting streamers and the larger flies.  After you have learned to fly fish and do it for awhile you can always get a 5wt and maybe even a 7wt. . Believe me you will own more than one rod if you get serious about this sport called Fly Fishing!!!

freshsteel, first of all i am not promoting any fly shop or company, he asked a question and i am answering him... the neshannook fly shop in volant has a selection of orvis,templefork,winstons and will let you cast them outside. maurers in franklin, on rte.8 have cortland and a few others but take your own reel, i'm sure they might let you try them also. rte66 outdoors shop in shippenville sells cortland and a couple other brands also. the orvis dealer in tionesta only has orvis i beleave. there's a outdoors discounters near the grove city outlet mall. other fly guys can give you info on companies warrnties. you have to know what flex you want though. my favorite rod is my 8'6" 5wt. from scott rod company. i broke the tip off the beginning of this trout season after i've had it for about 5years. they repaired it for free and got it back to me in a timely manner. i have a 9' costume made damon rod from new york. if i ever want to trade it in they will do so. my other rods i've never had problems with. all depends how much money you want to spend also. all rods in this day and age will perform. i like rods made in the good 'ol U.S.A. myself. ~doubletaper

ORIGINAL: indsguiz

Trans Am,
     I will give you the same answer I have given to this request before.  Go to Wal-Mart, buy a cheap Shakespeare complete outfit. (6-7 wt)   Learn to fish with it.  If you break it no big deal (it's cheap).  It is heavy enough for steel and light enough for everything else.  Once you hae learned the rudiments of F/F then you can go to fisherie's site or to Poor Richards and upgrade.  Do not buy expensive stuff right away.  You will probably break at least one rod while you are learning, and it hurts a lot less to lose 20 bucks than to lose 300.
     Also inquire about someone on this board who will take a day and fish with you to teach you the "ropes".  There are many really good people on here who will fish/teach with you and that makes the learning curve much shorter.

Ditto what indsguiz wrote.

You will need a reel and line, too.
This is an excellent way to see if you like this type of fishing.

transam, got to agree with venestbrew and chrisrowboat on buy something cheap now, make sure you like and learn than upgrade. i started with a $34.00 8wt,9' rod from wall-mall, $25.00 reel from wall-mall. i couldn't find any dtf line in 8wt. so i spent about $15.00 on a level floating line i bought at trader home. i did make sure i got good leader and tippet material. all this for less than $100.00 and caught some hefty, torpedo stricken chromers on it. never broke it and use it as a back up now or when a guest needs one to try.