My pleasure to help.
Ya know, after following this forum for a few months, it is clear that most participants are not fly fishermen, but are experienced in spinner rigs and baitcasters, used on the sound or reservoirs mostly. It highlights an arbitrary and stereotypical sort of class distinction in fishermen, where fly fishing is seen as the more elite sport, for rich snobs. Perhaps there is some truth to that historically, but just like golf, in the past century here in America it has become a sport for all, as much "middle class" as it is rich folks' fun.
Part of the problem is the myth that has been perpetuated that fly fishing is much harder than other kinds of fishing, and a sort of club mentality that views itself as more elite because some wealthy people spend big bucks for the fashionable expensive gear and take trips to exotic places that cost a lot so they can pay guides a small fortune to help them find the perfect trout. This is nonsense. The tools are different, and it takes some time to learn the different technique, but so does getting really good at using a baitcaster or spinning rig in tough spots.
Anywhere you can throw a lure or a worm with a spinning rig, you can also use a fly pole and catch plenty of fish, once you learn the techniques. Lately in the bass casting world, the buzz word has been "finesse." Fly fishing has always been about finesse, using lighter equipment and smaller lures, and trying to "think like the fish" in terms of how to fool them into eating your lure. It is a real gas once you begin to understand it and can catch the little critters, and the techniques can be generalized to any sort of fish in any sort of water, not just the purist's remote stream trout. We have seen this in the 20th century with the rise of saltwater fly fishing.
Down south, where I grew up, trout are not common except high in the mountains. But flyfishing for bass and panfish, saltwater species, even catfish, has evolved in a very different direction from the traditional Catskills dry fly approaches. That is where I first tried it, learning from my dad on our pond, catching smallmouths. And then I never did it again for thirty odd years. I have caught more fish on the reservoir this year with a fly rod compared to other rigs, even though I have used it less, because it is easy to catch the smaller fish near to shore and surface with a fly rod.
Unfortunately, there are lots of people who want to believe that being a fly fisherman, using only the purest and most difficult dry-fly techniques in perfect wild trout streams, somehow makes them better than all the rest of the angling world, which is just pure snobbery. Ignore those bozos and do what you enjoy with whatever gear works for you.
Fly rods and their dainty little lures that you can tie yourself, if so inclined, are just different tools that allows a greater range of creativity and opportunities for fun when trying to catch fish. I encourage everyone to give it a try. Get a book or take a lesson to learn how to cast, and get an inexpensive kit to start. Those Genesis kits at Cabela's look like very nice and affordable ways to get started. Cost-wise, they are no more than a good spinning or baitcasting rig and a set of lures.
