My 12 yo son and I had a deal, if he got straight A's on his last report card, we would build him a fly rod. he got a 3.85, (close enough in my book).

It will be his first rod. we fish mainly for trout on small to medium streams in WV. He really wants a multi-piece rod and I want him to have one with a medium to medium fast action (8-9ft). However, he is very hard on equipment and I don't want to break the bank on this rod (once he has the hang of it we will build him another rod). I was thinking a five weight would be a good place to start.

Does this sound like a good plan to start with?

what suggestions do you all have for blanks?

Thanks, Pat Ryan

We have what you need at great pricing in either Tiger Eye or Forecast 2003 blanks and kits.

Good Wraps
Neal Cissel
neal@nealsfishingtackle.com

For the sake of this, I'll assume this is his first fly rod. Based on that assumption, I would really recommend a moderate action because it's much easier to learn to cast and if it will be primarily used on smaller streams, I wouldn't go longer than 8'6". Take a look at the Forecast blanks. They have 8-8.5' blanks in both 4 and 5 piece models. They're very reasonably priced. I've built several Forecast blanks and they're just about unbeatable for the money.

I really like my dan craft sig III 5 pc 4 wt. it won't break the bank but if you cast it and fish it you will want one for yourself. you can call dan craft direct or deal with rocky mountain. you will not be disappointed. this is quality stuff. as for 4 or five wt i would go with the four wt and upline it one
for up close and use the designted line for distance. trust me on this one. you will love it. the rod is 9' by the way but i think dan has some in a shorter length.

8' 5wt Pac Bay Traditional or Rainforest, very smooth moderate - moderate/fast actions. Watch out for this one though, it feels so nice and smooth you won't want to give it up. It will make you smile all day.

8 foot 4 weight, if you've got the small/medium streams in mind, although i'm not familiar with the right coast conditions but i hear it can be quite brushy along the banks. tiger eyes look very pretty (although the 9 foot 4/5 or 5/6 has an exceptionally large butt so finding a reel seat insert to fit is problematic). i've got a 7 foot 3/4 2 pc waiting to wrap. go for the 4 pc 3/4 weight. i fish small to medium sized streams for trout as well, mainly dry fly action.

forecast is less expensive and equally a good value. nice blue color too!

you're probably going to wrap more than one for him eventually, so don't sweat the first one ;-) go for a cap and ring reel seat, very nice (starting at $15). 2nd rod, go for the 5 wt.

if you want to spend the money, a dan craft, although more $$$ still a GREAT deal, would be most excellent. don;t you love your son??? :-) i'm going to wrap my daddy-o a satin black sig III 5 pc for 3 wt soon. he deserves the best! ;-)

eric
fresno, ca.

Thanks for all of the input. Eric, if everything I have read on this phorum about the dan craft blanks are true, and they cast as well as you all say they do, I just might give him my sage and keep the dan craft.