This round I take the kayak to the local lake to catch a Catfish or two using jug lines! Bite was steady with five Blue Catfish caught. Largest went 20" in length!




Ordered a 175 grain OPST Commando Head for my 8ft 4wt Redington Pursuit Fly Rod. Going to use it with the 4/5wt Echo Ion Fly Reel. Should deliver Saturday. In preparation, made a DIY Floating Tip. After a quick test, the floating tip is good to go. Do check back, hope to kickoff the next video series... One-Hand Spey Fly Fishing!
Back to the local pond for a quick trip fly fishing for Bass and Bluegill using the Martin Fly Fishing Kit. This round I am fishing Betts Hand Tied Poppers and continue using the OPST Commando Head for a shooting head added to the 5wt Level Fly Line that came with the kit. Short trip but still lots of fun catching a fish or two.
Quick trip to the local pond. Bass were striking Dragon Flies… match the hatch. Switched to Dragon Flies!
Closing out the Getting Started Fly Fishing series with a Product Review of the Martin Fly Fishing Kit which comes with rod, reel, fly line, backing, and leader as well as fishing flies and an instruction booklet. It comes ready to fish - just tie on a fishing fly.
Review provides recommendations and tips to get started in fly fishing and some thoughts on what to do next after fishing with the combo
PS: Do check back on a follow-up video where I cast the combo with the level line that reel came with compared to casting with a shooting head - specifically, the OPST Commando Head!
Ready to closeout the Getting Started Fly Fishing $33 Amazon Challenge after one more round at a local pond. Martin Fly Fishing Kit has been a great deal... fly rod and reel; fly line, backing and leader; and fishing flies, too!
And, this round... the Wooley Bugger took a beating and was retired but it came through with Bass and Bluegill caught. Also, was able to show the false casts that I used to cast the level line for distance.
Do check back... plan to post a closeout video with thoughts on the Martin Fly Fishing Kit and an extra video where I add an OPST Commando Head to the combo!
Next in the Getting Started in Fly Fishing series is a video that shows yours truly catching fish using only 32 feet of line - 8 feet of line on the rod, 16 feet of line past th rod tip, and 8 feet of leader tippet.
If you are first starting out and you get frustrated with your cast, try less line and focus on a stealth approach/presentation to fish lurking near the bank.
And, gain a feel for setting the hook and playing a fish on a fly rod.
Fun stuff!
Do check back for more in the series... next up is a look at the fishing flies that came with the $33 Martin Fly Fishing Kit!
Back to a local pond that I have not fished for in awhile to “test” the Martin Fly Fishing Combo sold in a kit by Amazon. Using a Muddler Minnow that came with the kit. It’s beaten up but still catches fish. Lots of fun, and got a new idea for the next video in the series where I use only 32 feet of line to fish. The intent… you don’t need to cast long distances to catch fish to get started fly fishing! Stay tuned for more!
Back to a local pond that I have not fished for in awhile to "test" the Martin Fly Fishing Combo sold in a kit by Amazon. Using a Muddler Minnow that came with the kit. It's beaten up but still catches fish. Lots of fun, and got a new idea for the next video in the series where I use only 32 feet of line to fish. The intent... you don't need to cast long distances to catch fish to get started fly fishing! Stay tuned for more!
Next in the ongoing Getting Started in Fly Fishing - $33 Amazon Challenge is a money saving DIY demo where yours truly shows you how I make my own fly fishing leader.
Costing less than a dollar, much less if you don't use tippet rings, the DIY Fly Fishing Leader uses a Perfection Loop, Blood Knot, Improved Clinch Knot, and a Trilene Knot and different lengths and strengths of monofilament line.
Do give it a try and let us know how it works for you. And, do check back for more in the Series... look for upcoming videos of the Muddler Minnow that came with the Martin Fly Fishing Kit that is the base for this series!
Also, have upcoming videos with suggestions that may be of interest to some... and, they won't cut into your fishing budget!