Finally pulled the trigger. What flies do I need to get started? - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

Double Hall · 08-17-2009, 03:09 PM

I finally got around to getting a saltwater setup. Got a Colton rod and reel for just more than I was hoping to spend on a reel alone. (I'll hope this decision works out).

Now I'm looking to collect a few flies to get going here, in the harbor. I've got a dozen or so misc. that my father hasn't used in years, but what are some other staples, especially for this time of year. Deceivers I guess are one of them, but what colors and sizes for flies do you keep in your collection? I'll purchase flies this year, so if you can recommend a reasonable place to buy, thanks!

I have probably 30 boxes of my grandfathers freshwater tying supplies to go through this winter to see what I can use for ocean flies. I was in need of a winter hobby anyway.

Thanks in advance,
Hall

flyvice11787 · 08-17-2009, 11:44 PM

Deceivers, clousers, flatwings, and epoxies are all staple flies. It wouldn't hurt to have a couple of Skok's Mushies and a couple of large bunker patterns. Maybe a couple of topwater flies such as the Bob' Bangers or Crease Flies also. Sizes usually range from #2 to 3/0 (you can have a pretty big fly tied on a 3/0 hook). Good colors are all white, olive over white, chartreuse, chartreuse over white, yellow, yellow over white, olive over white, and black. If you ever decide to start tying, check out the Atlantic Salt Water Flyrodders' site www.aswf.org . The fly tying section is real helpful. Best advice I can give you is get out there and cast (a lot). You need to develop a consistent casting stroke in order to get some distance.

Double Hall · 08-18-2009, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyvice11787

Deceivers, clousers, flatwings, and epoxies are all staple flies. It wouldn't hurt to have a couple of Skok's Mushies and a couple of large bunker patterns. Maybe a couple of topwater flies such as the Bob' Bangers or Crease Flies also. Sizes usually range from #2 to 3/0 (you can have a pretty big fly tied on a 3/0 hook). Good colors are all white, olive over white, chartreuse, chartreuse over white, yellow, yellow over white, olive over white, and black. If you ever decide to start tying, check out the Atlantic Salt Water Flyrodders' site www.aswf.org . The fly tying section is real helpful. Best advice I can give you is get out there and cast (a lot). You need to develop a consistent casting stroke in order to get some distance.

Its been a while, but I used to do some freshwater. The first fish I ever caught on a fly, was on a fly that I tied, so I appreciate the art and satisfaction. I was probably 10.

Any local shops you'd recommend picking a handful of flies up at until I can tie this winter? I live on the South Shore, but work near Orvis in Boston.

flyvice11787 · 08-18-2009, 10:13 PM

Can't help you there

. I live on Long Island

. Maybe someone else will chime in. Orvis should have some stuff. Maybe take a little road trip and try Bear's Den in Tauton.

davisd · 08-19-2009, 08:43 PM

The Bears Den in Taunton has a pretty nice little shop.

jredfly · 08-23-2009, 10:02 PM

I used to work near the O in Boston last year. The guys were pretty nice and will take you across the street for some casting lessons. They used to have a pretty big selection of salt water flies and they would have some pretty good seminars too. Watch for their sales days to try and get some good deals.