My 8 & 9 year olds have been doing fairly well this year fly fishing and it's time to upgrade their rods. I would like your suggestions on a 3 or 4 piece, 5 wt, 7'6" - 8', mod to mod-fast action (more moderate but not slow) fly rod blanks that are fairly cheap. I figure in a few years, if the desire on their part is still there, I'll build them some really nice rods, but for now want something that is inline with their strength and casting ability. They definately can't handle fast action rods yet (they can't cast my Dan Craft Sig III 4wt) so something a bit slower would be great.

I suspect they could handle a fast action rod if you'll put the right line on it for them. Fast action rods are probably the easiest to cast, but due to sometimes being underlabled they're often not lined correctly for the range the user is casting or for the amount of input the caster is putting forth.

You can get any number of great value priced fly rod blanks from Pac Bay, Batson, Sevier, Amtak, Black Dog, etc., etc., etc. I'm sure I'm leaving somebody out and I'll hear about it shortly, but the market is covered right now with really nice fly rod blanks for under $60. Take your pick. I'm sure you'll get some specific suggestions before the night is out.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/28/2006 09:26PM by Tom Kirkman.

Hook and Hackle (rx7) 7'6" or 8' 5wt 4pc kit with sock and powder coated aluminum rod tube for less than $90! Thats only about $20 more than the blank itself and the hardware is pretty decent. The green blanks are very pretty and quite light with nice feel. The action is definately more moderate than fast. Too slow for my taste but sounds just right for your kids. The Tiger Eye blanks from Dan Craft are also superb and a beautiful brown color. They have a nice progressive action that's a bit faster. I have the 7'6" 3/4 and it is sweet with a triangle taper #4 for short to meium range fishing (to about 50')

Hope this helps,

Tony

I was taught on a glass rod. It had a forgiving action.

As far as graphite, on a fast action a 4wt rod, a 5 wt. Reo wt forward will make the fast action behave a bit better. I have a 5 wt Sage xp and it will handle an 8 wt line if I double haul I can feel it quiver a bit so I normaly throw a 6 or 7 with it. Just to note it will throw the full leanth of the line without a double haul.

I agree with the wieght ratings being incorrect on a lot of rods. Give the line ratings no concideration. Try the rods with diff line weights to see what they realy are. I,m not normaly out for distance but when you don't want to disturb the water by repositioning its nice to have the confidence to reach 60 + ft and still have a good presentation.

ok I'll shut up now I'm ramblin agiain.

The tiger eye rods are good for kids and adults use the diff line to make the rods handle the way you want. lite line fast action up the line to slow the action and improve casting.
no you won't break the rod unless to hook on your back cast on a tree or something.

So my mouth still runs. I had a friend who bought 500 buck rood and was trying to sell it. I put my ros on it with 2 wiegts up and he now loves the rod and you would have to pry it from his hands.

mmmmmmmmm ok I'm finished. ok Read this, [www.stripermoon.com] now I,m finished lol.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/28/2006 10:21PM by Darrell Hackney.

I built Forecast blanks for my 8 year old son, and he does fine with it. It is definitely a step up from the bargain outfits. I think they are a great blank, especially for the money.

I secong the Forecast suggestion, Tiger Eye (Sevier) blanks are also a fine product.

I agree with above....the Sevier Tiger Eye and Batson blanks are a great deal for the money....they make very nice rods. My son is 7 and he has several Forecast's I have built him.

my 6 year old girl uses a 7'-6" 4 wt 4piece forecast (RX6) i wraped for her and a couple of weeks ago she outfished both my dad and me. i was genuiney surprised how well she was roll casting. when i tried the rod, i found i was roll casting better than with my own rod. $20 blank. the tiger eyes are nice blanks too.

eric
fresno, ca.