Hi

I am (involuntarily) semi-retired; a management consultant without enough work at the moment.

Given the time, and recent good weather (a real factor here in Calgary, Alberta) I have taken up fishing again. The Bow River is near my home and is a very good trout river. Large river with rainbows and browns with good fishing right within the City of Calgary.

I have been spinfishing, and catch one or two trout each afternoon. The guys fly fishing catch 8 or 10. So I am taking up fly fishing.

I stumbled on this site and read a very intersting discussion about cheap gear. I want to buy gear good enuf to learn, but not spend too much (like almost everyone starting up I guess).

One strategy is to buy a combination package. I was leaning that way, but this afternoon (getting cold, no fishing) at the gear store I bought a REDINGTON RED FLY 9' ROD, 5/6. The price was $50 Cdn, say $45US. Regular was $120 Cdn.

I can return the rod if I wish, but it seemed to me a good deal, and that I might be able to build up an adequate system based on this rod. Can anyone confirm that this is a good strategy, and perhaps suggest other sources of cheap but okay gear?

I buy camping gear at Sierra Trading Post and know them as a good source for camping gear anyway.

Thank you.

Barry Brickman

Hi Barry,
I'd say the Red Fly is as good a place to start as any! In terms of where to look for reasonably priced or on-sale gear I usually look at Cabelas. Sign-up for their e-mail newsletters and they will send you the deals as they come in. Their own brand fly-reels are perfectly good but then for the trout fishing you mention more or less any reel will do as the drag is not going to be that important I expect. Your local fly-store should then be able to suggest the best line and leader system for the local conditions.
Hope that helps a little.
Good luck and welcome to the madness!
Paul

Thanks for the suggestion. I did see Cabela's site, but did not know they had a newsletter. I know they are a big outfit, but don't have stores in Canada.

Just by the way, US retailers are much prefered. At the end of the season they blow stuff out at cheap prices. In Canada they put it in the back and wait for next year.

I am really enjoying the setup for fly fishing. I think I will do a lot of it. Unfortunately in these parts it's hard to do much in winter, tho we get warm spells here called Chinooks when people get out on the Bow River in winter.

Well I hope the anticipation of the spring can be kept under control until you are able to head out on the water once more, armed with your new gear of course. Look forward to hearing how you get on.
Good luck and tight lines,
Paul

Thanks Paul.

San Diego ... a friend of mine is down there working for the Cdn Govt ... loves it, but says houses are pricey.

I guess here on the Bow we can still get out in winter, as long as there is a chinook blowing. The river stays more or less ice free.

Brutally cold the last couple of days tho ... wind chill -40 (which is the same celsius and fahrenheit).

All said, Calgary usually has pretty good winters by Cdn standards, but this one is starting badly.

Was in the fly shop this afternoon learning about flies. Through a lot of reading it is coming together. I am looking forward, too, to getting out on something we call the Forestry Truck Road, which runs N/S along the Rockies foothills. Great country and good trout.

Barry