The "Raison d'être" Of My Blog On Blogspot - Or The Reason For Which I Started This Blog PART 1

          Soon this picture will be understood by the context. These are my fly fishing rods. From an AFTM class #8, 9 glass fiber rod to an AFTM class #1-2 carbon fiber rod. The last rod is a marvelous rod fishing with tiny flies. It's in a black cordura tube on the picture. I'll get to the rest in a moment.

          The long rod in the bluish cloth bag is my first rod. I got it when I was just a boy. My first own fly fishing rod! It felt wonderful to finally have a rod of my own. Now I wouldn't recommend this as the first rod for a young boy. The photo below will show you why.

       This is a partial picture of my first rod. A Kingfisher, Shooting Star, 91/2 foot for an AFTM #8/9 line which came with a fighting butt that could be used as an option to a small rubber butt. I bought an AFTM #8 DT floating line to use with it. Would you recommend this rod for a young boy? No, neither would I. Nevertheless this was my first fly fishing rod. The one I tried to learn how to fly fish with. After a season my right hand looked like the hand of a hardworking wood chopper, even though I was just a boy back then. I had the opportunity to choose my first rod and opted for this one. It's nothing wrong with it but it's certainly not a rod for a kid beginning to fly fish. I started this blog to help others not to make the same mistake now when the options of fly fishing rods are very extensive. I don't think I've fished with this rod since the late 70'ties. But since I'm moving to a city near the coast and a river that holds sea trout and salmon I'll probably get to use it again. The rod I would recommend (or type of rod) for someone starting to fly fish can be seen on the next pictures.

Hi Level 7' #1-2

     
          It's a true pleasure to fish with this rod that weights in on 41 grams (1.5 oz i think). It's like fishing with nothing attached to nothing. No effort needed and that I think will be appealing to those who want to begin with fly fishing. It will most certainly give them an "appetite" to continue with fly fishing and learning more about it. If so their life will be greatly enriched.

          This reel seat I have customized a little to be able to use the old reel, in the next photo, on this rod. I carved it flat with a razor blade to give some more room for the reel and make it easier to get the reel straight on the rod. As seen it has sliding rings. I would have preferred a little wider rings but these work well.

ORVIS CFO II Made in England

        I just love this reel. Unfortunately they aren't produced anymore. It weights in on mere 56 grams (2 oz I think) and I have a Phoenix Silk Line WF #4 on it and some backing. Not to bad for such a small reel.

A magnificent 50 cm Brown Trout

          Why not conclude this post with a picture of the trout that gave me one of my most cherished memories taken on this very rod. I had to play him easy since I used a thin tippet and a small barbless fly when this magnificent trout was hooked. It took like 1 hour and 20 minutes to get him tired enough and close enough so I could just throw him up from the water with my left hand because I didn't have a net. That wouldn't have been the same with a stiffer rod and heavier equipment. So that's it. My advice to those who want to begin fly fishing for trout or grayling is to buy the lightest equipment they can handle naturally. If they start out with that they will find fly fishing to be a lovely sport that takes you closer to the nature.

          So my main goal is to help those starting with fly fishing not to make the same mistakes I did, thinking that the ability to make a long cast is what counts. Most of the trout I've taken have been within a 10 meter radius, so usually there is no need for a "Shooting Star". The most fun will be found using a pretty light equipment according to the fish that inhabits the waters you're going to fish.

          If more experienced anglers find my blog useful it's icing on the cake for me. I just want to share the experiences I've had and perhaps make someone glad at the same time. TO BE CONTINUED ...

Have fun the way YOU want to fly fish,
M.O.