FLY FISHING WITH SPIN GEAR! An Incredibly Effective Method for Catching More Trout

[@StarloGetsReel]

DECLARATION OF INTEREST: We stayed as guests of Five Rivers Fly Fishing Lodge in Jameison, Victoria, while making this video. If you'd like to find out more about this amazing destination, go to: fiveriversflyfishing.com.au/

[@Zeke1966]

This is my first time watching your video and I really like the scenery of that river. The title of the video is what got my attention. Even though I do have fly fishing equipment, I do more fishing with spinning tackle on rivers here in Tennessee. By the way, you are more than welcome to come here and experience many of the waters have to offer.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Thank you SO much -- for both watching and your generous invitation! Tight Lines.

[@anthonyclark6118]

Brings back great memories Starlo. Vale Elmo Lavis. Taught me to trout fish some 40 years ago. Spin reel on a 10ft fly rod, tossing artificial nymphs and live baits. Mostly unweighted occasionally with tiny split shot. Still one of the best small stream trout fishermen I’ve ever seen!

[@StarloGetsReel]

Sounds amazing! A deadly way to fish, for sure.

[@zesteecheeze]

Thanks for the great idea!! I'll definitely be trying this out 😄

[@StarloGetsReel]

Good stuff!

[@workingclasssacramento]

I used to fish like that growing up in Nevada. Works great

[@StarloGetsReel]

Yes it does! Thanks for the watch and feedback.

[@unknown1859]

The sound of water, pure nature at is best. So peaceful. I'm jealous

[@StarloGetsReel]

It's certainly good for the soul.

[@sirhumphrey6375]

Thanks Steve. A topic long neglected by fishing journalists. I remember the jig flicking mania years ago, thinking about the casting versatility of those rods.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Cheers!

[@seanharwood974]

Great clip. I bought one of these rods and plan to fish tiny plastics when the weather warms up a bit. I’ll also try it with some weed flies for blackfish .The rod itself is very nice

[@StarloGetsReel]

Should be perfect in those roles! 👍

[@ribirchfield9496]

Been using spinning reels with nymphs fishing for all my life. Put a sinker on and I can cast almost as far as fly line. Underpin reels work too of course. That's a beautiful stream you are in. I use an 8' crappie pole ultralight.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Sounds great!

[@jonathanhankins790]

Interested in learning this type of fishing, mind if i ask how you rig it up and whit kknd of flies or nymps you used. Been watching some clips....eastern coast here

[@ribirchfield9496]

@@jonathanhankins790 I use a 8' crappy pole ultralight. Make sure the guides are ceramic. I use 6 pound test clear fluorocarbon. Use a swivel to keep the line from getting twist in it. Below swivel I tie about a 24 inch leader. The leader can be the same 6 pound test fluorocarbon if you want but usually I use 4 pound. The sinkers go about 12 inch or so above nymph. Usually two bb size sinkers will let you cast pretty far. A deep fast run may need more sinkers to get it to sink towards bottom. The nymph to use is varied of course. I use what is called a secret weapon nymph most time. The spinning reel needs to be filled fully so you can cast further. A tiny float will help cast on a big hole. You will get hung up some. Which leads to another hobby...fly or nymph tying..store bought nymph 2-3 $ vs tying your own a nickel.

[@stevejones9636]

Just wondering if you could use the miller flats freak which is also a light rod to fly spin with?

[@StarloGetsReel]

Absolutely! Probably a more versatile rod, too.

[@stevejones9636]

@StarloGetsReel sweet just saved me some money buying another rod thanks Steve also love seeing those land based videos with your long cast rods hopefully more coming up

[@bretthumphries7911]

I indicator nymph with my ul spinning outfit, using a true slip float. Deadly. Tight lines

[@StarloGetsReel]

Sounds great!

[@garethmorris2042]

Great video! I'm looking to try using a fly with a shorter ultralight rod I have however in my area I can only use a single barbless hook. Do you think having a split shot at the very bottom and then a fly 18 inches up would work in a similar fashion? Or maybe vice versa with the fly at the bottom and the nymph 18 inches up? I have 6lb braid and a 6lb fluoro leader on my rod which i'm hoping should be fine. Thanks!

[@StarloGetsReel]

All those options will definitely work! Mix it up and give it a try. Glad you liked the video! 👍

[@hairyscary8511]

Interesting stuff will have to give it go sometime & look into Euro nymphing as I've never heard of it but hell I'm not a flie fisho but definitely keen to give this caper ago,always learning something new🍻

[@StarloGetsReel]

You should! I have a Euro nymphing playlist on this channel if you want to have a look.

[@needmoreboost6369]

I’m yet to fish for trout but this actually looks pretty fun! But on the video It’s a conspiracy I swear! Come on mate are you watching what I’m doing? Lol I’m sitting here tying sabiki rig’s! They’re Sorta fly’s I guess! But the video timing is impeccable again! the topic is just perfectly timed! Keep em coming! If you’re next vid is on custom rod’s then something is up for sure! Btw I don’t own a fly rod yet but do enjoy using my custom minnows and shrimp on micro spin gear occasionally in salt water or just making lethal 2-4 hook sabiki rigs for live bait and deep water

[@StarloGetsReel]

Sweet! Yes, I'm watching! 🤣😂

[@needmoreboost6369]

@@StarloGetsReel lol thought so! Or could just be the seasonal nature of the sport inevitably having patterns

[@bluemonstrosity259]

Checking the specs of the reel you used in the video, I found that the reel has 3kg of drag. Do you find that to be enough for trout, in case you hook a bigger one?

[@StarloGetsReel]

Yes and yes. 3kg of drag at the reel is a LOT. It's what you'd set as a maximum on, say, 10 or 12kg line, and WAY heavier than I'd ever use for trout fishing.

[@bluemonstrosity259]

@@StarloGetsReel Thank you for the quick response. But would setting 3kg of drag on a reel with 3kg of max drag do more damage to the reel than setting 3kg of drag on a reel with 10kg of max drag for example?

[@StarloGetsReel]

@@bluemonstrosity259 hmmmm. Theoretically, it would compress the washers more, and if you left it done up that tight for lengthy periods, it might degrade the drag performance, but you should always back the drag off between trips or when storing your gear, anyway. To be honest, it's extremely rare to screw the drag right down as far as it will go on ANY reel, in my experience. You might do it when targeting things like mangrove jacks or Papuan black bass close to bad snags, but it's quite rare, and would NEVER be applicable in trout fishing. Locking the drag right up is a great way to break lines and even rods.

[@bluemonstrosity259]

@@StarloGetsReel thank you very much. Tight lines Starlo!

[@timdevries7350]

Hey Starlo. Interesting stuff. I'll have to give that a try down here in Tassie! Would the same sort of technique work with an indicator dry on top? Tim

[@StarloGetsReel]

It would! Wouldn't cast as far, but that might not be an issue in some situations.

[@dougdarby3564]

Back in the early 70s in Atlanta we livrd 1 mole from the Chattahoochee and had some yet unspoiled trour water I learned of the joys of a nice ultralight 5 ft wand with a Mepps or Roostertail 1/4 ounce spinner

[@StarloGetsReel]

Nice!

[@mudeye666]

Just come to the dark side and flyfish we have cookies 😜

[@StarloGetsReel]

Don't worry, I've been fly fishing for around 50 years. But I like to do all sorts.

[@rosef5362]

Who doesn't love cookies. 😅

[@PeachyFlyFishing]

Very cool Steve, I reckon you're pioneering a new style of fishing here! Maybe it needs a new name like "spin-nymphing" or something? Might even end up enticing a few spin fisho's over from the dark side to try fly! ;)

[@StarloGetsReel]

Thanks mate! I’ve been referring to it informally as “spindrifting”… that might work?

[@Shawn-ts4jw]

People have been doing that for years, nothing new

[@StarloGetsReel]

@@Shawn-ts4jw good to know.

[@PeachyFlyFishing]

@@Shawn-ts4jw fair enough, I'm coming from the fly fishing side where euro nymphing has been around for a long time. But I've not seen anyone do it on spin gear before Steve.

[@StarloGetsReel]

@@PeachyFlyFishing to be honest, there's not much that's truly "new" in fishing. What I'm doing here is basically a direct progression from the "jig flicking" and spin rod drift-rigging that a bunch of us were doing on spawn run trout back in the early 1980s (which I wrote about extensively back then)... and which the North Americans had been doing for decades before that... I guess what's "new" here are some of the incremental tech' advances in the hardware, especially rods, FC lines and tungsten bead nymphs. I find it doesn't pay to get too bogged down in history and semantics. It's "new" for lots of people, and it's also effective... and exciting! That's good enough for me, and I know a lot of viewers appreciate me sharing stuff like this. You'll notice that in the video I never claim it's a "new" technique. I've been around too long to fall for that one. 😉

[@Huffindiesel]

Hey starlo, I fly fish often however always get blisters from my cork fly rod. Any advice to stop this? As well as this would you recommend any areas to fly fish around Sydney?

[@StarloGetsReel]

Sounds like you're trying too hard. Slow down, relax and let the line and the rod do the work. Lots of good spots around Sydney. Jump onto the Peachy Fly Fishing channel on KZbin - ALL fly and lots around Sydney! www.youtube.com/@PeachyFlyFishing

[@Huffindiesel]

@@StarloGetsReel thanks so much for the advice starlo. I’ll give it a shot when I’m next out there, or even a practice session on the park. And I’ll check out peachys channel. Thanks again.

[@joosepflies]

Nice video and nice to see someone willing to play between codes of fishing. I have also used a spin rod but with a big cone-head streamer to some success casting down and across. I couldn't help thinking when you were casting directly upstream that an indicator might come in handy. Not only would it indicate a take but also indicate when you are retrieving correctly - the aim would be to not disrupt the drift of the indicator and therefore the nymphs. Just a thought. I am based in northern Europe right now but returning to Australia next year and I am wondering what the best waders are for the Aussie climate or is wet wading the way to go? What would you recommend? Thanks again for all your videos which are super informative and fun.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Thanks! Yes, an indicator could be handy in some scenarious. I'm a big fan of wet wading although snakes are always a consideration in Oz! I tend to wear long pants, even when wet wading... As for the perfect waders, I'm still looking! Love my Fly 'n' Dry neoprenes when it's cold, but they're too hot in a mainland summer...

[@mathewcampbell8479]

Might even be more effective on the spinning gear using a small foam float to keep the flies at the right depth. That's the beauty of a dedicated euro nymphing fly rod. Just so much easier to control.

[@tonyallen8626]

I use a small popper like a indicator original I put it on to help cast but every time I'd get a bite I would see The popper do a little dance before I would feel the bit, worked a treat.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Hmmm. Good control with the Euro rod but much easier, longer and more accurate casting (for me, anyway!) with spin. But I do both.

[@shanesalmo1163]

This style of fishing would be the way to go such as casting on over grown small streams like the pinch and jacbos chasing brookies.

[@StarloGetsReel]

For sure!

[@giveitacrackfishing]

Hey Starlo another great video I'm amazed that U haven't wanted to get back on tv, I might of missed it in the video but do U use mono or braid for this type of fishing

[@StarloGetsReel]

Cheers for that! I was running 3 pound fluorocarbon (mono) in that one, but fine braid works too.

[@giveitacrackfishing]

@@StarloGetsReel wow 3lb tiny

[@magicworldbyjorg]

[@craigleith100]

Wee done I’m literally just home from a session I caught my 1st sea trout of the season on a 5ft 6 UL rod with a Mepps spinner 😁 what length is your rod here I’d like to give this a go ✌🏼💙🎣🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👍🏼

[@StarloGetsReel]

Nice!! That one is 8' 3". The length is a help with casting the very light rigs.

[@craigleith100]

@@StarloGetsReel Thanks so much I went out again last night with my Brother fly fishing I wanted to try this but I had a feeling my wee rod would have been too short but I’ll be buying a longer rod soon & this is definitely a method I want to try 💯👌🏼 Take it easy & Tight lines ✌🏼💙🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🎣👍🏼

[@feartheduck6664]

Keep a watch out for ASIO. Something about "Spyfishing".............😎

[@stevejones9636]

hi steve is that rod 8ft 3? if so i thought trout fishing is all about finnese

[@StarloGetsReel]

Yep. 8’3”. Finesse plus.

[@stevejones9636]

@StarloGetsReel sorry I meant I thought trout rods are like 5ft 6 so small to fit in that scrub

[@StarloGetsReel]

@@stevejones9636 short doesn't equate to finesse. Don't forget, the average fly rod is 9 feet long, and "Euro nymphing" fly rods are mostly 10 and 11 feet. The extra length here greatly aids in casting the ultra light weights, not to mention line control, hook setting and cushioning the shocks on the 2 and 3 pound lines I mostly run when doing this stuff. A short rod would be a distinct handicap.

[@andrewcarson1526]

Are u running flouro straight through or braid leader set up

[@StarloGetsReel]

I've used both, but that was a straight 3 pound fluorocarbon set-up.

[@graemewindley1614]

Aussie comment, you break your neck to get up the river, in the cold , heat rain snow and standing in ice cold water up to your tippy toes, its cold, you spend a fortune on all the wrong tackle, then lose most of it in the trees, catch nothing, and shit ,you have had a magical day

[@StarloGetsReel]

SO true!🤣

[@txyakangler65]

Great for the poor man that cannot afford a good fly rod and reel

[@StarloGetsReel]

True!

[@TrippyBuddah]

You can pick up a solid combo for under $300.

[@scottgassaway1145]

Probably not the best idea to lighten the drag on light spinning rod after the fish has hit the strongest part of the current

[@StarloGetsReel]

That's exactly why I backed it off: 3 pound line and a tiny hook. In my experience, very easy to pull the hook or pop the light line when they get below you in current if you go too hard. That's why I then walked downstream and steered the fish out of the current. Works for me, but each to their own.

[@greenjack1959l]

If you tried that here they'd have you flogged, Lol!

[@StarloGetsReel]

Not sure where “here” is, but I’ll stay away. 😉

[@greenjack1959l]

@@StarloGetsReel England. Catching Trout any other way but with a fly rod, preferably with a dry fly, is frowned upon in most places. Not by me I hasten to Add. Drop shotting is new to me and I'll be giving it a try.

[@JohnC-r8y]

Just lean to fly fish it’s not that hard . It helps you become a better fisherman in understanding the water , currents and how fish react .

[@StarloGetsReel]

I’ve been fly fishing for 50 years and if you take the time to look on my channel you’ll find many fly fishing technique and how-to videos. The point of this one was to offer an alternative method for those who don’t wish to (or can’t afford to) get into fly fishing, or simply wish to try a different approach. There’s more than one way to do things, and you can learn plenty about “water, currents and how fish react” with spin gear. The archaic idea that “pure” fly fishing is the superior form of angling and the only way to learn such things is simply snobbery in my book and has no place in the world of modern recreational fishing… Do what you enjoy and don’t force your ideas on others… Tight Lines.

[@adventureswithfrodo2721]

That is a load of it. You're just trying to sell a rod.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Whatever you reckon ol’ mate. 🤣Only flaw in your argument is I neither own the rod, nor do I sell them. My mate who builds them lent me one, I used it and made the video. There are lots of other rods you could do this with, too. I don’t sell any of those either. As a matter of fact, I don’t sell rods at all. 😉

[@_sylvan2982]

This is a crime

[@StarloGetsReel]

Yair, nah...

[@_sylvan2982]

Immediate jail

[@adventureswithfrodo2721]

😊useless video.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Sorry to waste your time. That must be why it’s the third most popular of my 317 videos, with around 56,000 views? 😉

[@richardtuxford1812]

Opening up trout fishing to finesse spin anglers, what part of that is useless? Back in your hutch frodo