Good morning all,
We're taking a trip starting Memorial Day weekend and are going to spend a day on a lake that had brookies.

Without getting mushy, my Dad, who passed away two years ago, gave me a fly rod. I have never used a fly rod before, but am contemplating taking it for one day of fishing this year. The rest of the time we will mainly be on smallie lakes.

I know the answer, I think, but is it worth taking for one day of fishing? If you took one, would you even pull it out anywhere else but on the brookie lake?

Hey Bombinbrian,

Sounds like you would bring the rod for sentimental reasons and so for that reason alone it would be worth it. I have brought a traditional fly rod in the bw a few times for personal reasons and don't regret it at all. Yes, if you get on a good brookie lake it can be a blast! I've also thrown different setups on other lakes and been thrilled fighting a few northerns and bass. But if you are looking for numbers or size, it's probably not the best bang for your buck. I say bring it along, create the memories, and make sure to record a few videos so you can play them back when there's 4 inches of ice on the road.

If you do decide to take the fly rod along, there are several threads with info on setup and fly selection if you are interested.

Agree with Yeti Jedi.

In an early spring, you may hit a mayfly hatch which could result in some great fishing on the brookie lake with drys. If not you can cast or troll nymphs or streamers.

Additionally - fly fishing can be an absolute blast for smallies. You can throw streamers or troll.

Do you know the specifics on your fly set up?

I know absolutely nothing about the fly rod or the set up of it.

If your not familiar with the fly fishing I’d suggest a spinning rod and a bubble with some tippet with dry flies that match whats hatching. Especially on standing water. If you haven’t practiced casting a fly rod/familiar with its use you might get frustrated pretty quickly. Bring the fly rod (and tippet) if you want but also bring a bubble.

Bubble

You can also catch Brook Trout with small spinners (panther Martin) and small Rapalas (F03 - trout patterns) on an ultralight set up.

My two cents.

bombinbrian: "I know absolutely nothing about the fly rod or the set up of it. "

Your first post is correct... you know the answer.

If it were me, I'd practice a few hours first, but I'd bring it. Ask someone at a fly shop or do a community ed thing. But you won't want to intermix the frustration of learning to fly cast with trying to honor your dad. Learn to fly cast a little, then bring it.

Without any knowledge of fly fishing, i'd either learn before the trip or leave it home.

Doesn't need to be the BW - watch a youtube or three and figure out what kind of rod it is, learn to cast, buy a few flies and a trout stamp and go hit one of the rivers down there in SE MN.

Agree with the advice to practice beforehand. That'll help you decide if you'll enjoy it. There are plenty of simple ways to begin. For what it's worth, I don't recommend fly fishing from a canoe right from the beginning. There should be some good options from shore depending on your entry point. But you may pick it up quickly and give it a shot from the canoe.

I also suggest you post a pic of the rod and see if folks here can help identify it.

Brian, I don't know where you live, however, find a local fly shop and get a 'free' casting lesson. Most fly shops will offer to show you how to cast a fly rod, set-up, and even what flies to use for the trout you are chasing. Take your fly rod with you, both on your trip and to the fly shop. Just be sure to carry it in a rod tube. You would not want to break the rod.

Using a fly rod while sitting in a canoe is not the same technique as casting while standing, it is much more difficult. You'll need somewhere for the line to sit while you're casting and retrieving. Also, you're siting close to the water in a canoe so casting farther than 15-20ft will be difficult, as will lifting the line off the water when you start your cast. Most fly fishers who cast from canoes have float stabilizers so they can stand.