Hello Im looking to build a fly rod with my & year old son for christmas. Im new to tis can anybody give me any ideas on what blank to use maybe a rainforest or a gatti i think this will be a great learning experiance for both of us. i really have no idea what im doing but think it will be fun.... Please help



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/24/2005 06:16PM by Rob Culver.

Now that you have said it is a FLY rod, the relevance of this advice is less. But I'll leave it as is for those Readers considering spinning or casting tackle. -Cliff Hall+++

IMO, pay particular attention to the OD size of the handle components - the reel seat and the grips. Keep the overall length of the handle area, probably less than 12 inches long from butt cap to winding check. The more comfortable and manageable you can make the handle area, the more interested the child will be in persevering on to angling success. Chances are the overall rod length should be from 6 inches shorter to no more than 6 inches longer than the height of the child. ...

Whether you decide to use a spinning reel or a casting reel is really up to you and your preferences. Some youngsters can manage revolving spools. And even today's spin-casters can provide a good introduction to casting on their own if a regular spinning reel or casting reel seems not to fit the bill.

Nothing is etched in stone here, but if you scale the rod down on the same proportions as the size of the child, you'll be on the right track. Your patient and careful investment of time and love with your son will make any imperfections melt away when you hear him say, "My Daddy and me made it." This may be one time when your son's being a real helper may be more important than the rod being perfect. ...

Have fun passing the torch, Rob. "Priceless."
Happy Thanksgiving. -Cliff Hall+++, Gainesville, FL-USA



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 11/24/2005 08:00PM by Cliff Hall.

Rob - Here are a couple of old Posts that may be worth your review. Now that you have said it is a FLY rod, the relevance is less, it seems. Cliff Hall+++

"Need recommendation on a blank for a child" [www.rodbuilding.org]
Date: April 13, 2005. Clay Robinson: "I want to build a rod for my 5-year old and need some help in locating a blank that would fit her. Any suggestions?" ...

"Rod for a 6 yr old" [www.rodbuilding.org]
Date: Dec. 12, 2004. Ken Blevins: "I have a grand son that has been casting a rod and reel [spin cast] since he was 4 yrs old. For Xmas I'm going to build him a 5"6" bait caster. The rod I picked out for him is a medium light action ..."



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/24/2005 07:34PM by Cliff Hall.

Rob , I see that you are looking for a fly rod blank for a 7 yr old , look into a Forecast kit from Hook & Hackle , or a Tiger Eye from Neal or any of the sponsors . They are decent rods for the $$ , and have a moderate action which will be easier for a child to learn to cast on . An 8 ft 5 wt will be the easiest to cast for a kid his age , a Forecast kit will set you back probably 60 or 70 bucks or so , not too much steam if it gets busted by accident . From your post I'm assumeing it is going to be for your child and not for you .
The most important part is to have fun , don't forget to put his or her name on it , and my little guy likes to pick out fish decals and has to have an American flag on all of his rods we build . Good luck, if you have any questions , e-mail me. JHD

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