Advice needed: Yellowfish rod and reel

[Skaap Tjop]

I’m in the market for a fly setup, firstly I’m a beginner I've  caught a handful of trout in my life using fly equipment.

My “skoonouers” live next to the Orange River, so my primary  use will be targeting yellows in the Orange and Vaal River. The question is should  I start out with the bottom of the range gear and upgrade as I get more used to  fly fishing, or should I go for quality gear from the start.

Any suggestions and/or advice that can point me in the right  direction?

[E.T.]

Whats your budget? R2500? R3500? R4500? R5500 or Higher?

[icstuff]

http://www.ultimateangling.co.za/index.php?topic=11777.0

Will you be doing nymphing or Dry fly?
Look at a 5wt Rod, Floating line, and a Decent reel with a fair amount of backing. Choose the rod according to how you are going to fish(casting or plonking at your feet.

[Homie]

Im no expert, having only recently started.

Ive been using the Stealth Combo... Came with a 9" 5/6 wt reel, 2 spools one with sinking and one with floating Airflo lines.... was around R1500 a year or so back....

ALL my trout, yellows and Muddies were caught with this.... worked perfectly !!!

I now decided to upgrade, and after checking out a few rods and reels, I settled on a Guide 2 9" 5wt and the new 3-Tand reel...
LOVE this setup, but have yet to catch anything.... Go figure

IMHO, get a beginer setup, and then look at upgrading when you feel you want to....

Also, have a look at the new Featherlite Rods.... being brought in by David Levine....ex Stealth founder... they are good rods and at a great price !

heres the 3Tand

[Tombosis]

Probably better to start of with one of the complete set ups currently available from Explorer or Stealth. Looked at them the other day for a mate and you are looking at about R1200 for #5 rod, line, backing, reel. Think they throw in a tippet or 2 as well. Both are decent quality and more than adequate for some yellowfish nymphing


You will also need some decent felt soled wading boots +- R1000-R2000. These will help preserve the tackle you bought! And your knees and shins.


Good luck, awesome piece of water!

[Skaap Tjop]

Whats your budget? R2500? R3500? R4500? R5500 or Higher?

R2000, I can throw in an extra R500 or so if it's worth it...

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http://www.ultimateangling.co.za/index.php?topic=11777.0

Will you be doing nymphing or Dry fly?
Look at a 5wt Rod, Floating line, and a Decent reel with a fair amount of backing. Choose the rod according to how you are going to fish(casting or plonking at your feet.

When in Rome... Mostly nymphing 

Im no expert, having only recently started.

Ive been using the Stealth Combo... Came with a 9" 5/6 wt reel, 2 spools one with sinking and one with floating Airflo lines.... was around R1500 a year or so back....

ALL my trout, yellows and Muddies were caught with this.... worked perfectly !!!

I now decided to upgrade, and after checking out a few rods and reels, I settled on a Guide 2 9" 5wt and the new 3-Tand reel...
LOVE this setup, but have yet to catch anything.... Go figure

IMHO, get a beginer setup, and then look at upgrading when you feel you want to....

Also, have a look at the new Featherlite Rods.... being brought in by David Levine....ex Stealth founder... they are good rods and at a great price !

heres the 3Tand

Thanks Homes
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Probably better to start of with one of the complete set ups currently available from Explorer or Stealth. Looked at them the other day for a mate and you are looking at about R1200 for #5 rod, line, backing, reel. Think they throw in a tippet or 2 as well. Both are decent quality and more than adequate for some yellowfish nymphing


You will also need some decent felt soled wading boots +- R1000-R2000. These will help preserve the tackle you bought! And your knees and shins.


Good luck, awesome piece of water!

Sounds like a good price

[Wynand13]

I went to Urban Fly fishers who also advertise on here last night they have a very nice Yellow combo actually a few, and have a online shop if you dont live in the area. They take groups out every Sunday free of charge to catch some yellows so they know what works and what dont.


Maybe give him a call? http://urban-fly-fisher.com


I use a TFO Axiom for yellows. But it all depends on your budget..

[E.T.]

For a Budget Setup my reel of choice would be the Wychwood Flow
http://www.sportfish.co.uk/wychwood-flow-fly-reel.html


They are locally available from Stream-X. They cost something like R850 and a spare spool in the region of R250. I have one of these and with the Large Arbor they are super light and perform flawlessly. Best value for money in this class.


http://www.streamxflyfishing.co.za/Fly_Fishing_Reels.htm


You could then look at the Wychwood Rods too as they are in the region of R1200 or something like that. Definitely one of the prettier starter/budget type rods out there.


Another option is to go to a Tackle Store and look at what older rods they have.
Getting your hands on something like a Scott SAS at a good price is a reality.
Look at some of the older premium rods. It just might be your lucky day.


I would much rather buy an older premium rod at the same price than what a new budget rod costs i.e. R1500-R2000

[icstuff]

I agree with you Koos but I have found that the premium rods and equipment(Apart from boots) gets wasted on noobies. Breaking it by using it wrong or complaining that that a R50 rod will work as well. I believe that all new fishermen should fish with crap equipment so that they can appreciate it when they upgrade 

[E.T.]

I agree with you Koos but I have found that the premium rods and equipment(Apart from boots) gets wasted on noobies. Breaking it by using it wrong or complaining that that a R50 rod will work as well. I believe that all new fishermen should fish with crap equipment so that they can appreciate it when they upgrade 

A premium rod will have you fork out a small amount for broken rod sections. Some brands replace sections the first time around and thereafter you pay. Others have a break it and if it's our fault as manufacturer we will replace it. I stay well clear of brands (and here I am not mentioning names) that says they have a warranty and then when you want to have a broken section replaced, they tell you that they do not have a spare section, but you could buy the new model at a reduced price.
In my books thats not a Warranty or Guarantee. If you break your Sage TXL they will replace it, if they haven't got stock, then they replace it with the new model TXL-F. Now thats a Warranty/Garauntee. The same actually applies for Scott, Hardy, T & T, Orvis, etc.


Die ou mense sê nie verniet dat goedkoop koop duur koop is nie.

[Skaap Tjop]

Thanks for the advice, I think I'll visit a few shops and make a decision!

[UrbanFF]

Thanks for the advice, I think I'll visit a few shops and make a decision!

Feel free to drop in for a chat and a coffee , currently have a 6 weight Guide that is 2nd hand so is only R 800.00 , also have some 10 foot and 9 foot Featherlites that are really good budget rods.

[Homie]

Feel free to drop in for a chat and a coffee , currently have a 6 weight Guide that is 2nd hand so is only R 800.00 , also have some 10 foot and 9 foot Featherlites that are really good budget rods.

Cant agree more !

[Lichia amia]

Skaap
 
My first fly rod was the Poseidon 8.6 5/6wt ( Ja Posseidon as in the Surf rods from Kingfisher in DBN ) . Paid +/- R500 for the rod and it not bad at all . I have a Grays FXII at 5 x the price and there is not 5 x the diffs in the rod.
 
So for the Vaal there is nothing wrong with this rod either . IMHO
 
Gooi flies and a dop .