just getting started with fishing

Check out this thread I started:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/xdpy/forum_thread/7241/index.html?skip_to_post=51930#51930

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What I use is a cheapo Daiwa Minispin outfit. You can buy at Cabela's or BassPro for under $40. The unit is pretty lightweight: rod + reel + 100 yd 4# test + swivel around 8 oz. The reel itself is 5.1 oz. Below is a picture of my setup with a rod case I made from a a florescent tube holder ($2) I found at Home Depot. As Mike mentioned 4 lb line is good. I have tried several (including Vanish fluorocarbon) and have settled on Sufix Elite. It is a good, strong, inexpensive line ($7 for 330 yards).

The nice thing with this setup, aside from it being inexpensive, is that you can also use it with a fly & bobber technique – i.e. using flies with a casting bobber if you want to try your hand at it.

The equipment is strong enough to bring in large fish. The largest I have landed was a 23", 6.5 lb rainbow.

For lures I primary use either a

Mepps Agila (1/8 oz)

or a Kastmaster spoon (1/8 oz; gold)

Here my most recent catch (12/04/2007) with the setup: 14" and 19" bows.

confession time – i have no idea if the rod i picked up is a fly rod or what. i picked it up at a garage sale because it was in lovely condition, weighed 4.75 ounces (said so on the pole and i weighed it to verify), came in the original aluminum tube, and cost $5. Merry Christmas! it's a Fenwick FS70-4 and it breaks down into four sections. i don't *think* it's a fly rod, because from my limited exposure to fly fishing i believe the reels look quite different from the reel that came with it.