Newbie fly fishing. Need suggestions for a cheap rod/reel combo

[Poopers]

From what I hear I am in flyfishing heaven ( Missoula, MT ). I have never fly fished before but would like to give it a try without investing a ton of money. Can anyone recommend a rod/reel combo that would be decent enough to get the job done but cheap enough for a beginner? Chinamart has kits for Okuma and Cortland kits starting at about $80. I assume they are low quality, but is the quality so low that I shouldnt even bother with them?

[SHOOTALL]

You should decide what you want to fish for . The rod and line determine what flies you can toss best in different conditions . The fish determines the bait/fly needed. Go to some shops and let them "show" show you the differen equipment for different conditions. The check out Cabellas or bass pro . Both can be in store or on line . There are some deacent rods that are not so expensive but I have not seen one on a cardboard with plastic wrap hanging in a box store yet.

[Poopers]

I'll be going for trout and salmon with probably a 50/50 mix of calm lakes and raging rivers. I suppose I would probably be better off trying to find a used mid-range rig for cheap than I would be buying new garbage.

[Catfish]

I have been fly fishing off and on for about 50 years. I never took it serious enough to spend the money for a high dollar fly rod, but just used what I could find at a garage sale or flee market. Over the years I have caught alot of bluegills, some bass and some croppie. I stopped in a little bate store yesterday that had a nice 9 ft. rod and reel combo for $ 39 with line and a case, and yes it was new. I just picked up a fly tieing kit and have been getting a stock pile of bluegill flies ready for this summer. If you find something real cheap and think it will work pick it up and give it a try, you will eather like it or not and find out cheap. If you like fly fishing and want a better rod keep it for a backup.

[SHOOTALL]

I use a 9 weight for big bass and salt water . I also have down to 7 weight . For trout depending on size you may want to get lighter. I didn't mean one need spend lots of cash but the Kits on card board don't seen so good. And you can get good pricing on off the rack rods. I toss way more bass and bream bugs than trout flies also salt water flies and poppers are heavy.

[Frankn4]

I have a 7', 3 wt rod, a 7', 5 wt rod, a 7'9" 5 wt rod, two 8'6" 5 wt rods, and two 9', 5 wt rods. I fish primarily for rainbow and brook trout in mountain streams and valley creeks. I use the 7', 5 wt more than all the others combined.

Yes, there are some good, serviceable, inexpensive fly rods. I suggest you look at Redington and Temple Fork Outfitters brands. Both have good, serviceable rods for under $100.00. Cortland and Scientific Anglers have some good, serviceable reels for under $40.00. I use Cortland and Scientific Anglers fly lines with the nod going to Cortland. I use only Orvis Super Strong tapered leaders and Orvis Super Strong tippet.

With my 7', 5 wt rod, a Cortland DT5F line, 7' Orvis leader and 16" Orvis tippet, I can precisely cast 10, 12, and 14 nymphs at any range I encounter in streams and creeks plus it will roll cast great in the many areas where  a backcast cannot be made.

[flatlander]

I just picked up a combo on sale from cabelas that included rod, reel, line, backing and leader. It was $60 at the time, and I tried it out just for fun and didn't expect much. Turns out, it is a nice little rig, and casts and fishes as well as some of my higher dollar setups. The line is the 3 forks, and for a beginner, I'd highly recommend it. One of the better values out there, IMO

I'd say to get a 5 weight, 4 piece. You can get these in either 8'6" or 9' (I'd suggest 8 1/2'). The 3 forks combos are about the same price as the wallyworld stuff, and you'll be happier with them. Regular price is $85.

[DanOv]

Poop - I have fished MT and WY a lot.   You will want a 5 or 6 wt. rod, and a medium action will be easiest to learn on.  Ge out with a friend who already fishes, he will likely have extra rods.  I have taught several beginners to fish while around Jackson Hole and had them landing fish the first day.  Your friend may even sell you and extra rod cheap to start out.

If you are buying, I would look at SierraTradingPost.com for some deals.  I would buy a 4 piece rod so you can travel with it easily.  Your reel is less important, and you can find a decent one for under $50.00 to start with.   If you buy a cheap setup, like a Bass Pro or Cabela's 2 piece outfit, you will catch fish fine, but will eventually want a better setup.   Buy once, cry once on a decent outfit in the $200 range.

[saddlebum]

Go to the Grizzly Hackle fly shop in Missoula for starters and ask some questions and tell them what your up to. Just remember, fly shops are expensive but are good for information. Ask them about classes and pick up a book. 'Fly Fishing For Dummies' is a good one. Take a look at Bob Wards. They are a good store with good prices and you might get some good info there and find beginner gear. If Gart Sports is still there, they are a good source of less expensive good gear. There is that other sporting goods store there whose name I can't remember that is good for some things too.

For the water in your neighborhood, Bitteroot, Clark Fork, Rock Creek and so on, a 9 foot 5 weight rod will serve you best, IMO. It is the most versatile and is the most popular for a reason. You can likely cast some rods at the fly shop and they can help you with a decision on what kind of a rod you might want to get. As far as getting one rod to fish both trout and salmon, I don't think I can give a suggestion on that. I know of no salmon to be fished in your area except a lake or two in the western part of the state that have kokanee. And they are small enough to be taken with a trout rod. Steelhead not too far away in Idaho.

Cortland lines are a good place to start for price and quality. Reels? Orvis 'Battenkill' and 'Clearwater', Cortland 'Vista Disc' (I just saw one go for 22.00 new on ebay) and 'Pro Cast', Okuma 'Sierra' and others, Allen 'Trout Series', Redington 'Crosswater' and 'Pursuit', After you do some research in the local stores and look at the websites and ebay, you can decide what's best for you and your budget. Don't let anyone talk you into a reel less than 3" in diameter. Preferably 3.25".

For rods? Look at St Croix, Ross Worldwide, Temple Fork Outfitters, Redington, Cortland and some others.
In your beginer/budget class, get the fastest, (stiffest), most expensive rod you can afford. In the less expensive class of rods, the fastest=medium action. You will be glad you did. Rods are no place to cut corners. Look online to get an idea of prices and compare with what you come up with at your local stores. You will most likely buy from them anyway. But it doesn't hurt to get a feel for what the market is like and read the reviews. You can learn alot and shop alot right at home, online.

You may have other places in and around Missoula that I have forgotton or have come in since I left the area. Like you said, it's fly fishing heaven and the stores there cater to the fishing angels. So they should be of the most help to you. Just spend as much as you can afford so you won't outgrow your outfit to soon.

[Bugflipper]

IMHO you really need a cheaper rod as your first when you are learning. They are much more forgiving. Cabelas 3 forks are a good starter rod. 7wt would be a good choice for trout and salmon. I use 0,1,2 and 3wt for everything. The bigger the weight the easier they are to cast and fight a fish. Later you may want to look into graphite but they are a harder to learn on because they are stiffer. So it requires more force to propel the line until you get the rhythm down.