Reddit mentions: The best fly line

Redington Crosswater combo ($132 with Prime)

If he likes smallmouth and catches them in his favorite creeks then get the 6wt. If he prefers trout then get the 9' 5wt option. This rod in a 6wt will also work for pond/lake fishing for bass. If he went to a bigger river then he would do fine with it as well, whether wading or in a boat.

He will also need a leader and some tippet. For $8.61 you can get him an individual leader, or for $16 you can get him the three pack. For tippet, if you get him the 8 pound leader then you should get him the 8 pound tippet for $7.57.

For leader longevity he will want tippet rings for $11.72. This will allow him to use his leaders for much longer rather than needing to re-buy leaders sooner. I know we're outside of your budget at this point past the leader, but if you can swing it then all of these things will provide what he needs outside of flies. Maybe someone else is getting him presents and could supplement the rest. Sometimes fly rod combos will come with leaders, but I didn't see it mentioned on the Crosswater combo. You'll notice I tailored it more to bass. If you find out he's more of a trout guy, then read on.

For $10.78 you can get a 3-pack of 9' 4x leaders. He can fish small streamers and nymphs with these, but would want a thinner leader for dry flies. For creeks he will probably fish small streamers and nymphs most of the time anyways, so this is a good choice (in my opinion). You'll still want the tippet rings listed above to make the leader purchase last a long time. For tippet, a spool of 4x tippet material for $11.43. The tippet prices seem high to me so you might want to dig around some more for options.

Other doodads to consider would be nippers and a zinger, hemostats, and a net. Teeth are a substitute for nippers, but biting through fishing line does wear your teeth. Hemostats aren't as necessary if he pinches the barbs on his hooks. You can get away with not using a net, but it is easier on the fish and the fisherman to use one.

Hopefully this helps and points you in the right direction. If you have questions just send me a message.

You don't need $300 to get into fly fishing.

• Rod $26
  
  
• Reel $19
  
  
• Backing $9
  
  
• Fly line $8
  
  
• Leader $9
  
  
• Tippet $5
  
  
• Handful of flies: $10
  
  That's $86 USD, and you have everything you need to start.
  
  YouTube videos are free, but the Orvis Fly Fishing Video Lessons are even better, and cover everything from first day on the water, up to advanced fly fishing techniques.

I often use the SA Air Cel line on one of my reels. It is not quite as good as my Rio Gold but honestly, it's not bad and very much worth the price.

https://www.amazon.com/Scientific-Anglers-Floating-Lines-Yellow/dp/B015YP5WBM/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1540785086&sr=8-4&keywords=scientific+angler+fly+line

Here's the rod:

Uxcell a11081700ux0041 Traveling 9 Sections Telescopic Pole Fishing Fisherman Tool Rod 2.5M Orange
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005SO6GTW/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_0loODbFZ9HP3F

It comes from Asia, and not on prime shipping, so it can take a while...

And I paired it with this line, works great! Can overhead or roll cast with ease:

Moonlit Fly Fishing Bushi Furled Tenkara Line (All-Around line) Quality Made in USA (Neon Green, 9ft) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074CQC1K3/ref=cm_sw_r_em_apa_i_BooODb9NHY66Q

Just the rod or the entire outfit? Also, what type of fishing? Bass requires a heavier setup than trout and salt has different hardware requirements.

To keep it simple, I'm going to assume you're in upstate NY, based on your post history, and you're looking for bows, brookies, browns, and smallmouth. This screams 6/7wt to me. I don't have it, but my buddy fishes this in a 6wt for PNW rainbows and cutthroats. Again, get the 7wt for a good mix of finesse for dry flies, and power for poppers and streamers.
Everyone always talks about which rod they think they need, but the line question is just as, if not more important. This Rio Grand line helped take me from a pile on the ground in front of me, to accurate, tight loops when I first was learning how to cast.
The least critical component in your kit is the reel. It exists to hold line, balance the rod, and look good for fish this size. This reel should work out well, however some of their other reels have had issues with drag settings. Personally, I like click and pawl type reels with no drag, which you might be able to pick up relatively cheaply from a pawn shop or craigslist. Should you choose to go that route, I'd look for an older Pflueger Medalist.

There ya go. Fully kitted out in decent, albeit not name brand, gear that should last you until you decide to drop the hammer on something more expensive or specialized.

I didn't know that TRC included a tippet ring... -you are talkinga bout a 1.5mm little ring, right? Is this built into the furled line?

EDIT: I have the same rod, and I just dug the furled line that came with it out of my box of "never use" stuff. Mine has a pretty typical looking tippet ring integrated in a cerise furled line. I put the ring under a loupe, it is not rough or in any way looking like a tippet-cutter. I have never tied a tippet on it or fished with it though.

One thing that is very important with tippet, -ESPECIALLY flourocarbon, is to wet the knot with spit before tightening, and to tighten slowly. Otherwise, friction heats the know and the line becomes very weak right at the knot. Use a double-davy knot, and wet it while seating it.

With all that said, just switch to level line and a pack of tippet rings. Furled lines stink. Get a 3.0 or 3.5 level line like this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008JCDGL6/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Tippet rings https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0160BRFDC/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Double davy knot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WruK0Z482G0

I got this line. Rio Fly Fishing Fly Line Tarpon Quick Shooter INT. Tip Wf11F/I Fishing Line, Clear-Tip-Sea-Grass https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N55UYYY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_taIyCbHM6J8YJ

Loads the rod extremely well. Can cast it about 10ft past color change sitting down in a kayak.

Got saltwater line because I plan to go to the keys this summer to tarpon fish and know that during our hot summers here on tn that saltwater line will work just as good on the lake

In my opinion just buy a sink tip line. I recently bought a $20 one from Amazon, used it for my 8 wt and was shocked how much I like it. I have a Rio Bass/Panfish floating line and I thought this one was easier to cast chunky flies with. I know I didn't answer your question, but for $20 I think it's worthwhile. I was skeptical because reviews weren't that great. I used it for a few day trips and was surprised how much I liked it. Not sure how well it will hold up over time but so far so good. If you get it either use the attachable braided loops or bush up on your nail knots.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01CFZTW74/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469074985&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=sink+tip+fly+line&dpPl=1&dpID=51P1neADbcL&ref=plSrch

Rio Gold, SA and the mid-range Orvis are all good lines. I wouldn't call them "budget" lines exactly...but they're not $90-100 like a lot of the higher ends.

I actually just picked up a Piscifun line for my backup rod ($30 on Amazon ) not expecting much from it. But, it's really a solid line thus far. To the point that I actually rigged it up for my primary rod the last couple times I went out. It appears to shoot almost exactly the same as the Rio Gold at sub 50ft casts and nearly holds up on the 50+ range.

I was unfamiliar with the brand...but was pleasantly surprised.

here is the line I used. It has the backing and leader I suggested products I believe. I have the blue on my 5wt and orange on my 6.

I have about $40 to spend. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D9J0FN0/ref=twister_dp_update?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 Is this any good?

I just picked some up from Amazon. I don't believe they are too badly priced.

https://www.amazon.com/Rio-Tippet-Ring-Pack-Small/dp/B0160BRFDC/ref=sr_1_1?s=sports-and-fitness&ie=UTF8&qid=1485841921&sr=1-1&keywords=tippit%2Brings&th=1&psc=1