[mikenewpal]

Hi all,

I am green as the grass regarding fly fishing. I have just started, and know enough to get myself into trouble. I have done enough research to know that I need to match the reel, the rod, and the line wt., depending on the fish I'm after. Hmmm..kinda like regular fishing!

Anyway, I was told that I needed to take a fly rod with me this year to my annual Canadian trip, as the Big Pike love "flies" in the early Spring. With that said, that was all I needed to get interested, and now I have the fever to learn everything there is to know.

I want to start out kind conservative, as to not take out a second mortgage to finance all my gear for this "new little hobby". Since I live in Indiana, and will be predominately fishing for "ears of corn" (just kidding) Smallmouth Bass and largemouth Bass, I wanted to try and get a multi use set-up if possible.

It seems that I need to lean towards the 9 Wt.-9 Ft. rod/line Wt. for the Pike, and around a 7 Wt.-8' 1/2" Rod for Bass? If that information was correct? So, since I had some money burning a hole in my pocket I decided to buy my first reel. Here is what I bought...Scientific Anglers Concept 79LA. This is a large arbor reel( I think) as it will comfortably hold 250 yards of Scientific Anglers Dacron Backing, and 82' of Scientific Anglers Air Cell WF-7Wt.-F fly Line. And wouldn't ya like to know how I found that out? Look at title of post!

Anyway, the reel will hold line weights of 7 thru 9, so I figured it would do the job for either Bass or Pike in that regard. However, I am also the king of oversimplifying life's most difficult pursuits! I figure in my newfound fly fishing widom, that the reel would double for both species, but I would need two rods, one for the bass and one for Pike that was heavier as mentioned above.

So, now that I have written a novel, I have a bunch of questions. First, I would like thoughts, comments, general ridicule etc. on the reel and if it is in fact a decent choice for the species I am after and at least a decent quality of a reel.

Next, I am willing to spend around $80-$150 per rod at this time. I don't really want to spend $700 on a rod (s) Please recommend a good quality rod brand that would fit within these specs. if possible. Are my weights and lengths on the rods correct for Pike and Bass?

Now, as mentioned the reel will hold 250 yds. of Dacron backing and 82' of 7wt. line comfortably....how much should I actually spool up before attaching and spooling the actual fly line? Oh, and prepare to laugh uncontrollably...is the 82' of fly line enough? How long are normal casts? Yep, I'm as green as the little dancing frog to the right!>

Finally, how oft does one change fly line/or backing? Or is it necessary as with mono line?

Any and all advise, thoughts, comments are welcome!

Thank you!


Mike