Rookie needs advice

Hi Guys,

This will be my first year trout fishing. I know there are plenty of streams in SE MN so I’m excited to get going. I’m wondering where to start when it comes to gear??? I picked up an older fly rod last year, other than a few flies and a float tube that’s about all I have. What should my next purchase be?? I was thinking waders and wading boots. What else should be high on my purchase list???

Thanks!!

Matt

Nightcrawlers…..

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Nightcrawlers…..

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How about a vest, good glasses, waders. I like to spin fish for trout so how about some mepps, paddletails and some small marabou jigs.

Ron

I’d second a good pair of polaroid glasses. Skip the crawlers (too easy anyway), skip the waders and boots, save yourself some money, and get some hip boots (Cabelas, GM, Fleet Farm would be a place to look). Make sure you’ve got a decent floating line (low vis), buy a few leaders, mae sure you’ve got some indicators and lead for nymph fishing since that’s probably the most productive way to catch fish overall.

If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to ask.

Regards,
D.A.

Matt…I’m sorry about the response from my bass fishing friend Blue Fleck…sometimes he can help himself.

To be honest with you, I would reccomemed hiring a guide for a day. The reason I say this is because my first year fly fishing for trout was a bust. Although I had been flyfishing for about 20 years in lakes for panfish…I didn’t have a clue as to fishing for anything in a river, much less the picky trout.
Didn’t know that you should mend your line with the currant or when to fish a nymph, wet or dry fly. I was fishing in the middle of the day…which is harder for the beginner. Had an 8 weight rod with 5 weight level line and an automatic reel…just didn’t know any better.
I spent the winter reading up on it and the first time out the next summer ended the morning with 3 browns for the pan, all about 8 inches.
After 6 years of fishing hard for trout, and 8 more on and off…I can hold my own. But I know nothing compared to the guys that guide everyday.

Although I haven’t fished with DA from this site, I’ve read enough that I know he will save you money and time in the long run.

As far as the float tube, I’ve never had good luck with them on the streams that I fished. But they are awesome for lakes! I just sold mine a year ago.

Waders or hip boats? Because I do some lake fishing I prefer waders. I had some hip boots at one time and it seemed like everytime I went fishing I wanted to just get a little closer to the good looking eddie and a wave or I would just be too deep and my paints were all wet.

With flys…you can’t go wrong by having an assortment of hairsear’s in 3 or 4 sizes. But if you are planning on matching the hatch, it’s going to depend on the water, temp and time of the year your fishing.

Or…instead of feeling the personal accomplishment of knowing that you fooled a trout with some hair and feathers…toss out a weighted nightcrawler and have a beer! (Sorry Blue…now I couldn’t help myself!)

I hope that gives you a little start.

Don’t go with out polorised sunglasses…kinda like leaving your fish locator at home!

Matt

My Grandson says Panther Martin out fishes Mephs and other spinners 5 to 1. They cost a little extra, but seem to work much better.

JIM

On a serious note, I have a Black Rooster Tail Spinner with a pearl black blade and it has been an awesome bait for me. I found it in a tree trout fishing and it has not been left at home since. It caught my second biggest Brown out of Pine Creek. 20.5″

Thanks for the all the great suggestions. I’ve only spent maybe a total of 6 hours with a fly rod in my hand. Would I be better off spin fishing for trout and taking the fly rod along after more practice? Any rod, reel, line recomendations would be appreciated.

Matt

I use a black roostertail with a silver blade, almost the same as Blue described. My biggest trout on it has been a 24″.They have out fished any other bait for me. Flyfishing is tough to self teach. I would definately reccomend going with someone with experience first either a friend or like briank said maybe a guide.

best of luck on the water, Jason

Ya know Matt, that’s up to each person.

For myself, my dad gave be a flyrod with line on it when I was about 9 or so. Practice in the yard…and for more years than I like to remember, I prefer using a fly rod over any other type of rod…or method of fishing. Feeling the strike from the line in your hand and then the fight of even a small fish on a long rod is…well, something that gets me through a visit to the dentist!
Practicality is another story. It’s been done, but fishing for deep eyes…catfish ect is not the best use of a fly rod.

I’m not saying spinners and worms are bad. Just that I have more fun with the fly and to me…the only way to fish!

I just want to add a lure…Rapalas are great lures for trout. My largest brown to date is a 25 1/2″ caught out of the Spring Valley Creek off of a little Fat Rap which I don’t think they make anymore. At least that is what Gander Mtn told me when I went to buy some different colors. The S.V. Creek is a great fishery if you can gain access to it (some parts ar harder than others). I will say that some of the biggest trout that have come out of it have been in or very near to town. I havn’t fished it for quite a few years so if you try it please post your findings. Thanks, Chris

Keep in mind that some of these streams that have been mentioned now have new regulations for 2005. Some are slots, some are catch and release, etc.

New Trout Regs