Fly Fishing on a BUDGET

[@Hrogthar]

This video is officially a Huge Fly Fisherman Classic. One of your best tip/rant videos!

[@TroutHuntingNZ]

My guy🤙. Cheers for the shout out. Wise words in this video👌

[@AboutTrout]

Bro, Richard is keeping my lights on.

[@johnloughlin7196]

This vid had a good old school Huge feel with all the clips. Miss them, keep em coming.

[@bluepotter775]

Great Video! 3 Things I've learned in 3 years being a pro fly guide in SE AK; 1: Simms > Patagonia > Redington. Buy once cry once. 2: Tapered Fluoro leaders are more durable and last 3x longer than Mono. If you're an expert it's worth it, if you're a beginner it's not. I regularly watch people blow through $4.00 streamers like they grow on trees, but balk at spending $4.00 on a fresh new leader. 3. You're bang on about never saving or making money tying your own flies - but you can stay ahead of the curve by tying modified/new flavors that will catch the fish that have seen it all on heavily pressured systems. Sometimes a fly that cost you $10 to make will save a trip that ultimately costs hundreds of dollars to happen.

[@peterpauwels4610]

Three years already! Time goes so fast. Thanks for all the laughs and content. The Bill Burr of fly fishing.

[@Charsept]

Started on a $26 rod, $16 reel and $15 line. I've still caught more fish on that setup than any of my newer better gear. Just handed down that setup to a friend that wants to get started in the sport.

[@sethchedester7370]

Thank you!! I believe in putting the croc's in 4x mode as well. Best wet wading shoe ever made. And hiking, biking, running, building trusses, cutting down trees, milling lumber...just everything. Note to the wet wading individuals, a leash for the croc's is quite handy. I once spent an entire day fishing with one croc and one sock, as the other croc was whisked away by the river.

[@puristonthefly3308]

You know someone is a cheap fly fisherman when they buy a new rod and leave the plastic on the cork and fish with it.

[@CFrosty67]

When are you gonna start posting rants?

[@Shamus3]

You're supposed to leave the plastic on until you catch the first fish. Not a cheap fisherman, just not very good, lol.

[@connorcarson2622]

Everyone knows that the amount of money you spend on your kit is directly proportional to the quantity and quality of fish you catch. I've had my T&T rod for 2 years and I've caught one whole creek chub with it.

[@OlExtraRegularBass]

Shoulda checked eBay, hoss.

[@geraldg7420]

@@OlExtraRegularBass Or got a Tenkara! (a.k.a. -bream pole.)

[@CONEHEADDK]

Second hand stuff rules. most barely use their gear, but update all the time. last year's state of the art is still faaar better than needed. use your cash to go see new waters. And freeze some plastic bottles of water, and pack well from home - nothing works like ice water on a sunny day, when everybody else is drinking luke warm whatever...

[@mylemmings5818]

Classic for sure! I would also recommend a hook removal tool and barb smasher such as pliers/hemostats.

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

I started with a free fiberglass cast/fly combo rod. Moved "up" to a maxcatch rod, which promptly broke and they wanted more than half the cost of the rod to fix it so I got a redington. Its decent.

[@austinelliott2798]

I definitely need an entire fly shop to go catch a creek chub.

[@chasecook3854]

Top notch fly line often makes up for a mediocre rod. If you have a crap rod and are thinking of upgrading, consider spending $100 on a new fly line first. The difference is night and day. And if you're still not happy, you can still use it on the new rod.

[@philfoster4298]

Or buy the best lines made from Mike Barrio and pay 1/4 of the price of the popular lines.

[@LGoody9273]

I agree for the most part but as someone already mentioned below, entry level Redington, St Croix etc. are pretty darned decent rods for around $100. I also think you can do just fine with cheaper floating and sink tip lines but cheap sinking lines just plain suck unless you like untying knots. Even more expensive sinking lines are too limp and prone to knotting up on the ground or in your stripping apron. Tying flies is certainly a conundrum too, I tied flies for a local sporting goods shop for a few summers as a teenager so I was able acquire tons of materials/hooks at cost but if you keep it simple it will save you $$.

[@smr9981]

I started out with a Cabela’s RLS outfit. Everything you need to get started in a box. It caught lots of stockers and eventually bigger fish, and I “graduated” to high end fly rods in every weight I could ever need, American made reels, and high dollar fly lines. The kid I sold the RLS+ combo to for $100 is still using it and regularly out fishing me…

[@matthewfish3306]

I know you probably won’t see this but I really liked l this video. As a once 14 year old now 16 year old still on his bike with a 7ft Fenwick fiberglass rod I found in my bin on my grandpas porch and reel my uncle gave me I can take all the saving I can. I’ve since gotten a slightly better rod but as a high schooler everything is so expensive.

[@seandoyle4463]

Congrats on 3 years! If I ever see you in the streets we’re gonna leg wrestle over the Hamms comment though. Another Hamms sandwich please.

[@DinkNowitzki]

I have the exact rod you used for cheap rods (piscifun sword) and It’s out lasted my brothers $230 Redington rod. Figured I would go cheaper for my first rod as I’ve been told I’ll probably eventually break it. Paired it with a orvis Clearwater reel and I couldn’t be happier I’ve caught hundreds of fish on it. 👍

[@colinbailey5505]

If you get really into fly-fishing, you can save a ton of money by building your own rods. Rio fly lines are engineered to self destruct in a stupidly short period of time (still the only floating line I have seen turn into spaghetti - none of my other lines have ever broken down the same way, or so spectacularly). Pure fluorocarbon is essential for stillwater trout fishing in clear water with small flies. I have witnessed friends with the same flies but the wrong tippet get completely ignored by the fish in water where you could clearly see them 10+ ft down.

[@thereallevel27]

Cheap fly fisherman here. My newest rod is a 9' 8wt "carbon fiber" from China. It's pretty stiff and super light. It broke the tip section immediately and they don't return emails for a replacement. It is now an 8'6" 8wt. My cheap floating line has a garbage coating and needs dressed with silicone spray every trip. My 7/8 weight reel from piscifun is holding up nicely but needs cleaned every other trip. This rig did get me my first walleye on a fly. A deceiver I tied myself

[@DreadyEDDY710]

"Don't have 1000$ for a rod? Me either!" - links 990$ rod in description + 170$ reel

[@Joe_Biden915]

I don't know how I've missed your channel for so long. My first "fly rod" was a semi long bass rod with a reel I found that had fly line from about 50 years ago in it. I tied some line from my crappie rig and bought some flies at a gas station close to a seasonal stocked river in Oklahoma. The only thing I caught with that rig was my shirt, my hand, my ear and my hat, but I had a ball. Ahh, college. Now I'm an adult, I have a better rod and reel, better line but I still don't know what I'm doing. Constantly get knots in my tippets and leader. Don't know what you mean about learning the "drift." I'm definitely a blue liner and a destination fisherman because I don't live super close to any good streams. I think I need a guide or some lessons, but you know what? I still have a ball every time I go out even though I really, really suck at it.

[@tedbeck4131]

Love it that Ben recommends Crocs, and even has the proper colour, green, in the video photo

[@jameshanson8774]

The new gas station in town has leftover cold fried chicken. Absolutely a game changer.

[@jimaylsworth8145]

Congratulations on three years Dude! You’re the best.

[@timothyp.mcgoeyp.e.4933]

Cheers! This was one fer the records The Indian Not the Arrow! But I would like to add - when tying FLIES - if you get good deer hair, hackles, CDC, materials in general - it makes the tie easier….

[@wjm988]

i bought a piscifun reel on amazon for my three weight and left it at my cousins house. thye stored it outside and it held up very well. my nail clippers rusted off my bag, and my cork handle dried out, but the reel didn't give a dang. good quality for the cheap price.

[@kadeishmael4301]

Just recently hopped on the fried chicken bandwagon. It's definitely life changing. I will say, however, that a good turkey sandwich can also go a long way towards making a person a better fly fisher!

[@joshfung2131]

I'm fourteen, and this is exactly what I needed. Thank you so much!

[@johnpetsch5202]

Fantastic advise! Congrats on three years!!! Stay huge, my man!

[@ChipEstrada]

Dooooooood,your channel is awesome, love the delivery, great stuff, good info!

[@joshuameade2941]

Love the reference to Trout hunter NZ. That guy is great and does catch some serious fish.

[@ethanovenell2173]

dude you described me perfectly except im 15 and got my pole from an older friend. bikes are the way to go tho. mine takes me every where. thanks for the video! stay huge!

[@sabiangriffin3713]

Ancient glass rod, 2 year old line, ancient leader, the cheapest reel I could get, a ton of crappy hand tied flies that I spent way too much money on for materials that I blew because I had money because I had just got a job. I'm getting better so now I have some fishable flies I've tied but I still have a lot to improve upon. I was taught by the best though, for both fishing (Our Lord and Savoir, Father Tom, as well as you) and tying (Tim Flagler). And I'm still learning. I've got loads to improve upon. Until I can fish as good Tom himself which I'll never do (probably) I'll still be learning (At least I should be). Unless you're Tom, you should still be learning, and I know Tom is still learning, it's what fly fishing's all about, and it's why I love it

[@mikak1]

Beer? Gotta be PBR!!!!!!! COLD PBR!!!! Looking forward to your video on beer selection while fly fishing.

[@Astroflyfishing]

Most honest opinion I’ve heard about tying. Definitely doesn’t save you any money! I buy flies AND tying materials and always need more…

[@gregsage1605]

Congrats on 3 years! I subbed in in the 200's. Its been a fun ride.

[@HugeFlyFisherman]

Thanks, Greg!

[@kaceesavage]

Ive had good luck with ventures fly co. For cheapish flies. I’m a newb so I lost a bunch of them in various ways but the ones that I haven’t lost have held up pretty well.

[@fishlambert7138]

Cheers to 3 years!! I notice u have the Smith sunnys. Absolutely 💘 them!! I have 4 pair of the guides choice (found Gr8 price on ebay) in different color polarizing varieties, obviously for different types of water/weather. I particularly like the pictures of the fish in the order u had them. And the sealed drag system was epic edit! 😄😝 Well done sir!! If ever in Central Oregon area...There are some fabulous fish being hunted here!

[@ScottHeidrich119]

"This kid.." I'm a grown ass man and I am that kid.

[@danielburgess7785]

Just that I got an E-Bike two years ago. My knees thank me every time the motor kicks in.

[@dominicgreco1204]

I'm 56 ride a bike to lake Michigan at least 3 times a week always have my 5 piece s Marlboro fly rod with me

[@danielburgess7785]

@@dominicgreco1204 Even when the lake is frozen over? Damn, you are hard core! /tis but a joke

[@dominicgreco1204]

@@danielburgess7785 I have carbide studied tires and I use a roofing hatchet to open frozen holes I'm only there miles from the lake plenty of bars by the marina I fish on

[@silkyjohnson4208]

Congrats on all the success you've had. Hope you continue to grow my man.

[@sabiangriffin3713]

The reddington crosswater and orvis encounter are great entry level rods. They're super cheap, $100 bucks or so, and they're good products. Reddington and Orivs aren't shitty brands. Even the cheapest stuff they've got. They come with a warranty too. They're what I'd recommend

[@donwagner6343]

Awesome video! Informative and very entertaining! I had to share it with some friends so please keep them coming!

[@mcflyproductions9463]

Love the vid!! But I disagree with not needing 6x fluoro, in the Appalachian mountains where I grew up fishing it is essential if you are going to chase wild trout in small crystal clear creeks on a sunny day, other than that I agree with all else you said, tight lines brother!

[@nathanbrenstuhl4334]

Nice hat my friend! And great word as always. Thanks!

[@mattokeefe691]

Good advice. I don’t fish expensive stuff and am a pretty solid caster etc. Still lots to learn. Thanks Ben

[@nathanwetmore3604]

You went back to your sarcastic roots, glad to have you back!

[@jayclay1]

Haha! I purchased that exact rod as a back up to my mediocre rod. Line is top notch at least. Don’t get to fish much and wanted to pair it with a reel I was gifted. Will upgrade for sure when I get better/more time on the water. Congrats on three years.

[@edpeter9411]

I didn’t even know Hamm’s was still around! Was a staple in our broke-azz high schools days circa 1975. Congrats on 3 years!

[@HugeFlyFisherman]

Thanks!

[@danielburgess7785]

My frat had a Genny Cream problem.

[@nitronick1220]

Thats all musky fishermen drink still 😂

[@tracyb1577]

Woo Hoo! Happy Huge day, everybody!

[@peteacevedo3411]

Great advise and congrats on three years.

[@lunatic4919]

Congrats on 3 years! Save Mart has great fried Chicken in California! Great vids!

[@jonallen6626]

I went for quality used equipment. It cost 40 percent of the original price for a used Orvis Mirage reel and a used Orvis Helios 2 in a 5 weight rod. The reel came with high quality Fly line by Rio Outbound .

[@leeaddison9615]

Whoa!!! Why does Richard have to be from Houston? Couldn't he be from L.A. or San Fran. Some of us actually fly fish down here. We have a really good fishery on the Guadalupe river. I fish in Colorado in Sept. and the Guad in Feb. need to come down and check it out. Been loving your vids. Love the way you make the sport more personable to the regular Joe amd not the yuppie/silverspoon . Keep goin' and I'll keep watchin'. THX LEE

[@masonwilhelmy2613]

Spend your money on fly line, and quality polarized glasses.

[@chiphill4856]

My first fly rod was a Shakespeare from Walmart. Plenty of pond bass and bluegills fell to that whip.

[@nickbrown6916]

I don’t agree with the reels. Definitely no plastic, but a die casted on works well. I have a sage 2210 for salmon and steelhead thing is an absolute work horse. Sealed drag and all. For bass and smaller fish it’s just a line holder so anything that reels in and out smooth will do.

[@jgib01]

Yes! Seems contradictory to me to argue that you can get away with less expensive reels, and then say you need to go machined. In well-respected brands, machined are often going to be double or more the price of cast models. I have a few Konics that I've fished for 8 years, that have been bullet proof with basically zero maintenance. Also have some cast Redingtons that, while I don't use a bunch, have been great too.

[@parachutejjs]

The thing about the Publix fried chicken is that it’s not that great right out of the cardboard lunchbox thing. But give it an overnight in the fridge in a gallon size ziplock. Next morning into the cooler to rest until it’s time to eat. 100% better. It’s a food science miracle.

[@rustyknott-W.D]

About tying your own flies: If you tie your own, you get what you want, not what you're force fed by the fly shops. Every time I go into a fly shop I check out the flies. Guess what? They all sell the same tired old patterns! It's like deja vu all over again! My prince looks nothing like what the shops sell and it's deadly because I'm constantly tweaking it. Same goes with my stimulators, etc., etc.

[@stephenbirkhead8329]

Love the sunglasses tip!!!! Guy's ALWASY wear sunglasses! Best tip you've ever given!!

[@CONEHEADDK]

Different topic - but important. Have the handle on the outside of your rod. Why.? More than one reason - 1. the line doesn't catch up on it as much, when you are casting (where you probably have tried to get the wind to come from the opposite side, so the overhand casts don't hook you ears and clothes to much (ALWAYS wear eye protection no matter wind or not). 2. WHEN you have a big fish take a run, you CAN'T get the handle to catch onto your pocket or a fold in your clothes, and break the line/ruin the hook's often not very strong hold - I've seen it on videos - and it's always the big ones - the small ones rarely can do anything, if you are using the right gear. 3. The handle doesn't hit against your thigh, when you walk from place to place (because even though you have learned, to point the rod backwards, so it doesn't get stuck in between branches and shit, but - only in theory - glides off - you will prefere to have it pointing forward, because then you can see wtf is going on) and add to the irritation on "one of those days"..

[@HugeFlyFisherman]

You are REALLY overthinking this.

[@CONEHEADDK]

@@HugeFlyFisherman Nope - the devil is in the details.

[@brooksvenuti7490]

@@CONEHEADDK This gave me an aneurism

[@dominicdygert5410]

Good cheap rod and reel combo is the echo base works really well for me

[@jaydrfish]

I was with the dude up to where he slammed Hamms... unless I'm blind, Ol Ben's got a Miller Lite in hand which violates every criteria for BEER known to man.... Cheers🍺

[@stevevaughn9093]

I was with ya, up to the cheap beer.

[@patrickharris4641]

I bought a 100 dollar 3wt fly combo to take on a trip once as a backup because I didn’t want to risk being without a rod on the trail, and I ended up using that one more than my main rod because it had such a cheap blank it almost casted like a fiberglass. It was fun to use and worked wonders on little streams but the reel and line were both so terrible as expected. The rod as well is low quality but sometimes you surprise yourself with how well really cheap stuff can work

[@Wyfbtr]

Upgrade

[@patrickharris4641]

@@Wyfbtr I did a couple weeks ago, got a TFO blue ribbon overlined to a 4wt scientific anglers creek line. Works wonders, the point of my comment was to say that sometimes cheap stuff can work too

[@graysonpibal8544]

The finger nail clippers are still a go to!!😂😂😂😂

[@natethenielsen]

Those are some epic tailing gloves you got there.

[@trinitycastner2165]

I’m on my fourth pair of waders in four years. I usually go cheap, but might upgrade. I’m broke, but I fish huge, if you have a preference I’d appreciate it. Thanks

[@joeschranz4525]

I just use breathable duck hunting waders with the liner that’s removable

[@HugeFlyFisherman]

Orvis or Simms, not the base models.

[@lonewizzard8456]

Look for sales online, save your $$ and go with Dryft. They fit right and are reasonably priced for what you get. Simms G3 if you can find em for 350 or less.

[@Godlobber]

Another way to fly fish on a budget is to peruse fly fishing forums, if one is polite, you can get really quality gear for a lot less. The one thing you need to accept is that there is no warranty but I have purchased some really over the top quality gear, high end spey rods.. etc, for about 1/3 to 1/2 of their original price. It doesn't make them cheap they're just not $800.

[@justinmaddux4931]

Way to go! Three freaking years.

[@johndriscoll9769]

Nice job. Congrats on three years! Forgot the most important tip for fishing on a budget; friends. Friends who live in exotic or "fishy" locations and friends who tie flies.

[@HugeFlyFisherman]

Good point. BTW, I’ll be in your zone in March. We’ll have beers, at the very least.

[@nicksokaluk9518]

i'm still using a 1983 model jarvis walker i bought when i was a kid but i did spring for an ambush line couple years ago

[@coreytohme9861]

I never thought I would see Trixie Mattel and the Huge Fly Fisherman in the same video.

[@HugeFlyFisherman]

Just for you, Corey. See ya soon!

[@ithacaster]

kudos for the sneaky dingus pic

[@hoyyyttt]

Love your vids man! Thank you!

[@tomatostakefabrik9429]

The premium rod part I solved myself. I built my own. I love it

[@RadDad1980]

I'm struggling to unsee the cracked foot comparison, but an oh so good comparison it is.

[@JaceOnDeck]

This is your funniest video yet for sure, I about busted a kidney laughing

[@hobbyoftheday4017]

I swear by my redington path 5wt it's been a great rod and bought it thinking of it as a backup rod. Don't forget click pawl reels either, definitely buy good fly line. And I use wooly buggers as a cheat code, last year I caught lm bass sm bass blue gill crappie chain pickerel perch red eye creek chub so many fish on the wooly bugger

[@dannyingamells6642]

Liked your video. Very grassroots and honest. I want to go fishing with YOU.

[@lazysod304]

As much as I hate Facebook, it is a great place to buy Richard's gear that he barely used. A few years back I scored a Scott G2 9054 that still had plastic wrap on the cork and a mint Orvis Battenkill reel for $100. Poor old guy kicked the bucket and his widow just wanted to get rid of "all of his fishing junk he never used". I then proceeded to catch maaaaany stocked Rainbows with this fancy gear... 🤷

[@fishingmarknz]

Just an FYI if you want to say the abbreviation for New Zealand it's N "Zed" like zeds dead. when you say it as ZEE its not wrong just not how we say it. congratulations on 3 years. If you bake down here to NZ ill get you into some nice fish that you need a good drag for.

[@willhe4736]

wife bought me a william joesph 9 foot 7 weight payed over 300 used it once, kept it in its cloth in a tube. second time smacked a small branch about 3/8 inch and broke the tip off life time replacement on the rod doesnt help when you find out the company went tits up 6 months earlier

[@stevedoty5841]

LOL. I agree basically. I can’t go the $200 route. I am fortunate to go to garage sales and buy “good” equipment. Name brand etc. For me works well. Bass, bluegill, trout etc.

[@mels2707]

Don't forget a Bloody Mary or two to start the day. It improves your casting. Honest.

[@patrickfoley8242]

I hate Richard from Houston, but we need him out there. Lol. Great video!!!

[@WhiteBuffalo032]

Laughed through the whole video. Nice work. Required viewing for all fly chuckers. 🪰

[@OlExtraRegularBass]

Damn, that means I've been fly fishing for like three years and a month. And I still suck.

[@cowboycody8094]

I would say Annette is pretty important to have also maybe not an absolute must but very handy to have. I would recommend at the very least getting a $20 one from Walmart. Don't go any cheaper

[@TheHateChef]

I like the toilet bowl reference 😆

[@charlieboutin3341]

3 Huge years! Nuff said! 👍👍🎣 🍻

[@1MarkBevans]

Definitely a classic episode for sure, LOL! All valid thoughts A to Z within. Hopefully any newbies will heed these words

[@calebfoster552]

Dude, I love your channel lol

[@lastglance8782]

Wait a minute Mr. huge you forgot garage sales and estate sales where are you can go bye Richards kit for pennies on the dollar. I found a Hank Patterson Limited addition Orvis fly rod, yeah is the worst pull I’ve ever bought in my life but it was cheap!!!!

[@dominicgreco1204]

You can get his bike there too

[@alanluscombe8a553]

I’m the dude that bought a thousand dollar rod and had never fished before lol. I had just gotten home from Iraq and dreamed about flyfishing the entire deployment and yeah. I spent loads of money probably for no reason but hey. That was ten years ago and I still use most of the stuff I got back then

[@WatersEquipment]

Love this one - so true

[@dongrissom4540]

Congratulations on 3 year mark

[@Avicados]

PSA: It’s all about the line. I can take a $50 rod and make it feel like a $200-300 one with the proper line. It’s like skiing, spend more on your boots than your skis, you’ll be happier in the end.

[@Avicados]

Also cast metal isn’t that bad lol I’d rather have a non Chinese made cast than a Chinese made milled aluminum.