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Pit Fishing Thread

Ok you guys have me thinking. If I went the Cabellas route, which rig/combo would be a good one to start out with?
 
That 9' rod (even the 8'6" package) is a bit long for most freestone trout fishing. You'll be better served with something in the 7'-8' range on most streams. The longer rods are better suited to larger, more open streams, and that would include tailwater fishing. A 4 WT or 5 WT line will cover most of what you'd need to do. I fish a 4WT of some variety more often than not.

That said, hard to go wrong with Orvis stuff. Superb products and excellent warranty service. The price is right on that outfit. Be nice if they had a 7'6" 4WT outfit, though, at that price. The Superfine Glass outfit runs north of $500, but that's a damn fine package!

As I can make time today, I'll poke around and see what's out there.

Thanks! I'm in Denver and the 9' 6wt seems to be something of a go-to out here. Going to take a guided trip later in June and plan to pick the guides brain in gear.
 
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My priest is going on sabbatical this summer and spending a month in Colorado focusing on fly fishing.
 
Thanks! I'm in Denver and the 9' 6wt seems to be something of a go-to out here. Going to take a guided trip later in June and plan to lick the guides brain in gear.

Yes, that is an ideal rod for many western conditions. It will cast a larger fly (like a hopper pattern) with authority and punch through the higher (or at least moderate) winds you might encounter out there. I fish 5, 6 and 7 wt rods (from 9 to 9 1/2 ft) in western conditions, mostly dictated by wind.
 
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Ok you guys have me thinking. If I went the Cabellas route, which rig/combo would be a good one to start out with?

Since it is on sale and in stock, I would get this rod http://www.cabelas.com/product/cabe...BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=fiberglass+fly+rod in the 7'1" 4 wt. The rod will have a slower and forgiving action that will be excellent for learning to cast.

For a reel to match, I would get something like this - http://www.cabelas.com/product/fish...uts?destination=/catalog/browse.cmd?N=1102569 in the 2.99 inch diameter.

Call them and ask the to put line and backing on the reel for you. I don't know anything about the lines they offer, other than what I read, but something like this might be a good choice - http://www.cabelas.com/product/cabe...r=TopRated&x=10&y=6&Ntt=fly+line#BVQAWidgetID I would talk to a product specialist about lines. Tell them you want something with characteristics similar to a Wulff Triangle Taper floating line. (If they can't spool the line for you, just google it - not that hard to do. Also, you will want to add a loop to the front of your fly line. Again, not hard - just find an instruction video on line.)

That gets you in a very nice rod set up for just over $150. (Note, they will probably charge you a few buck for backing but not much). By nice, I mean a rod that will stay with you forever and that you would still pick on occasion to fish even if you go off the deep end and start adding a few rods costing 10 times as much. A starter kit won't do that for you.

Add a pair of these http://www.cabelas.com/product/foot...uts?destination=/catalog/browse.cmd?N=1101203 (or Orvis has a much nicer pair for right around $30 http://www.orvis.com/p/neoprene-gua...Np8ZvHXnvybS4oRDD2zdAmsox2cqifmqMzRoCEGzw_wcB) and a pair of wading boots - maybe something like these http://www.cabelas.com/product/cabe...peByFilter=TopRated&x=10&y=6&Ntt=wading+boots and you will be in business.

Lots of good knot instructions and videos available. Learn a Davy knot and double surgeon for on the stream - that's all you really need once you have the backing and line on the reel. You can get through life fine without the blood knot. But if you decide to learn and use that knot, here is the best video I have seen for instruction - http://www.ginkandgasoline.com/fly-fishing-tips-technique/the-worlds-best-blood-knot/ Most leaders have a connection loop on them already but learning to add a loop to a leader is also useful on occasion.
 
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You are welcome to meet Mercury Dime and me some weekend if you want to try a variety of rods and catch some wild trout. You can test rods from $30 to some a good bit higher up the cost curve. My guess is you would still decide to pick the Cabela's or Eagle Claw fiberglass rods in something 7.5 ft or shorter, 4 or 5 wt, as your first rod. My home waters are the wild streams north of Morganton off 181. MercuryDime's home waters are the wild streams just a bit farther west.

My guide was telling me since we are just starting out it would be hard to tell much difference between the Encounter and the Clearwater. That's good to here as Encounter outfit is $160 cheaper that can be used for other gear.

You most certainly are welcome to head this way. We'll have a blast!
 
You are welcome to meet Mercury Dime and me some weekend if you want to try a variety of rods and catch some wild trout. You can test rods from $30 to some a good bit higher up the cost curve. My guess is you would still decide to pick the Cabela's or Eagle Claw fiberglass rods in something 7.5 ft or shorter, 4 or 5 wt, as your first rod. My home waters are the wild streams north of Morganton off 181. MercuryDime's home waters are the wild streams just a bit farther west.

I fished up in Edgemont this past weekend, which I think it pretty close to your home waters. Great conditions all weekend. I fished a homemade 7 foot 4 wt. Landed one rainbow, although I must have seen 100 (rainbows and browns) throughout the weekend. A couple guys that I was with had a little more luck. It was my first time fishing this area, and I'll definitely be back.
 
I fished up in Edgemont this past weekend, which I think it pretty close to your home waters. Great conditions all weekend. I fished a homemade 7 foot 4 wt. Landed one rainbow, although I must have seen 100 (rainbows and browns) throughout the weekend. A couple guys that I was with had a little more luck. It was my first time fishing this area, and I'll definitely be back.

Excellent report; glad you had a good time. Yes, Edgemont area is within my zone. Come fish with Mercury Dime and me sometime.
 
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Been on the Calibogue sound since Tuesday. Caught about 50 in one spot yesterday then went after sharks in the channel. Had a monster break break me off on steel leader and 60 lb braid.
 
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Got a chance to practice my cast today on the South Platte - didn't catch anything, but it was easily the most relaxing hour of my weekend.
 
1 keeper founder and 1 trout today in the Santa Claus hole off Tubs Inlet on ocean isle.

4 unders and a skate thrown back
 
Great 2 days last week on the Norfolk Canyon.

White Marlin approaching the boat...

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My son, 2 rainbows and 4 white marlin flags (yes, the 4th is above the picture). It was great b/c the boat next to ours had 5 pros on board and they got 2. BAM!

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Last pic, I promise. My son and his first bluefin (yes, we fished with Scott Walker from Into the Blue on NBCSports).

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