Hello, need advice for Pinks

[Doug Evans]

Hello,
I've never fly fished before but it's something that has always interested me, and I'm about to retire and I figure it's about time I did something about it. Now about 2yrs ago I hit a concret wall on me scooter and seperated my right shoulder and it has never healed properly. So I thought I'd buy a Cheap combo to find out how my shoulder would hold up casting. :beathead:
Now from what I've read in this, by the way great forum, a 7wt would be about right. But I'm not sure if you use a sinking or floating lines when targeting Pinks in salt??
So any advise would be appreciated, even if your telling me that with my shoulder to forget about it... Thank you:beer2:

[ibn]

I would go with a clear intermediate line, they're the slowest of the sinking lines. A 7wt would be perfect.

Before you buy a cheap-o fly rod, why not go to a fly shop and ask them if you can cast a few rods. They should have some demo rods they can string up and let you take a few casts in a parking lot or a park, or somewhere.

I've had a few shoulder injuries and casting can be very very hard and painful if it has not healed properly. You will probably know right away.

[CovingtonFly]

Be careful, if you really get into fly fishing you might have to come out of retirement to afford it!
I can't wait to retire, only 20 some odd years to go!

[Doug Evans]

Thanks IBN that's a good thought, come to think of it I've got a buddy who has a couple rods a
4wt and 9wt, I might try casting with those. I worry about going to a fly shop and try a demo cuz I know nothing about casting don't wanna make a fool of myself.

[Jay Allyn]

Well then a fly shop would be a great place to get some pointers on your cast as well.

[salt dog]

There are some that use a two handed fly rod just because of shoulder problems, i.e., less strain on the shoulder.

I know.......just when you thought the question was clearly answered some wise guy has to muddle it up again. But ibn was right, for now keep it simple and try the friend's rod and/or go to the fly shop to demo some rods. Even if that works you may later end up using a 2-handed rod set up to avoid the strain of repetitive use on the shoulder.

[Jon Borcherding]

Cut to the chase!
Go to wallyworld and pick up the el cheapo Scientific Angler combo for about 40 or 50 bucks and see if you can cast. Read a book and/or watch a video, then go out on your lawn and start casting.
If you find out that you can't do it with your shoulder you can dump the rod at a garage sale or give it to a kid. I met a FFF certified casting instructor who told me that he has been instructing with the same $36 rod for years because he wanted his students to witness first hand that the casting stroke is about a hundred times more important than the rod. He can cast better with the el cheapo rod than most guys can cast with their $500 super whamodyne whatchmacallits.
Just a thought.
JonB

[chadk]

Cut to the chase!
Go to wallyworld and pick up the el cheapo Scientific Angler combo for about 40 or 50 bucks and see if you can cast. Read a book and/or watch a video, then go out on your lawn and start casting.
If you find out that you can't do it with your shoulder you can dump the rod at a garage sale or give it to a kid. I met a FFF certified casting instructor who told me that he has been instructing with the same $36 rod for years because he wanted his students to witness first hand that the casting stroke is about a hundred times more important than the rod. He can cast better with the el cheapo rod than most guys can cast with their $500 super whamodyne whatchmacallits.
Just a thought.
JonB

iagree
Yeah, what he said...

[Dizane]

If the right shoulder doesn't hold up but you still really want to fly fish, learn to cast with your left.

It may be tough at first and not the most natural feeling thing in the world, but with practice I bet you could get to the point of being able to put out a functional cast.

[Porter]

I would go with a clear intermediate line, they're the slowest of the sinking lines. A 7wt would be perfect.



iagree

[Doug Evans]

If the right shoulder doesn't hold up but you still really want to fly fish, learn to cast with your left.

It may be tough at first and not the most natural feeling thing in the world, but with practice I bet you could get to the point of being able to put out a functional cast.

you know that's a great point I never thought of. If I have to learn anyway.......:hmmm:
Thanks!