Fly Fishing Novice

Question
I've finally decided to learn to fly fish. I love freshwater and inshore fishing, topwater being my favorite. I would like some advice on buying a fly rod and reel. Bass Pro Shops has a couple that are in my price range, but I would like your input before I make the purchase. The ones I saw at BPS are a Pflueger "Starter Kit" (rod, reel, leader, backing, and fly assortment) for $40 and a number of White River combos that are between $50 and $75. I've used Pflueger products and like them, but have never heard of White River Outfitters. If you have a better rig in mind, please let me know. I'd like to stay below $75 if possible.
Thanks

Answer
Hello Jacob...Merry Christmas!  Forgive my delay in answering, I started a new job that has taken over 400 hours of my time since you asked your question.

A'las, I have a moment to breath...so let's get to fishng!

Congrats on your choice to take up flyfishing...the learning curve should prove to be a long one and as intense as you desire to make it.

The choices you have looked at to make your first fly rod and reel are good ones. The White River series of rods, reels, line and flies are simply house brands for BPS. Most are very good rods and reels for the money, being produced in China or more probably Korea to BPS specs.

I would encourage you to choose graphite, 8.5 or 9 feet in length and with a fast action (flex in the upper 1/4 of the rod). The fast taper and the graphite shaft will allow you to cast with less effort and far more accurately from the very beginning. The weight of the line the rod should be designed for will be dictated by your most common quarry ie: bass, panfish, trout, or even saltwater gamefish. The most common used to be a 6 weight rod but I have always preferred 4 or 5 weight rods/lines for trout and panfish. Either choice should suffice if these are the fish you will be starting out on. A good largemouth or smallnouth bass will challenge the 4 wt. but the 5 wt. should function well. (Some big bass bugs will require a 6, 7 or even 8 weight rods/lines to cast well.).

As you venture into the fly fishing scene, remember that it isn't the thousand dollar rig that makes the angler but the angler that makes the rig...learn about fish behavior and habitat and reading water and food sources...this knowlege is what makes an angler...not the gear and duckets spent on it.

As you learn about the food sources, get yourself a good starter flytying kit and learn to tie as soon as you can...this will greatly enhance the experience! Catching fish on something you have tied and fooled them with is VERY cool and rewarding!

Jacob, as you get into this, ask me more questions. We can get as specific and as detailed as you'd like...you are in for many thousands of enjoyable hours.

Jacob, I hope this helps. Once again, sorry for the delay.

Mark Rimmer- Angler, Entrepreneur, Firefighter/Paramedic.
for AllExperts.com...Good fortune in the New Year!