Okay I have never used or built a flyrod. My son is 11 and has decided he wants to try fly fishing and he wants to build his own rod.

I would like some advice on a blank. My son tends to get frustrated very quickly if he can't master something in 3 seconds. Since I know nothing about flyrods forgive me for asking what may be stupid questions.

Are some blanks easier to cast at the cost of accuracy ? I would rather he have a blank that is easier to cast and maybe give up a little accuracy.

Most fishing will be done on lakes and rivers in the midwest. Primarily panfish and the like. Although we have trout streams that will come after he has the casting part figured out.

Price range would be $50.00-$100.00 and a 2 piece would be fine.

Other than the above let me know if I need to supply more information.

No, they're all easy to cast, particularly fast action models, provided you have the correct line on them. Beginners tend to try and cast fly rods the same way they cast other types of rods - to make it cast farther, throw harder. This doesn't work with a fly rod.

Lie your garden hose straight out on the lawn. Pick up one end and give it snap and watch the loop travel down and along the hose. This is what your son needs to understand that he's doing with a fly rod - stopping the rod abruptly causes the line to flip over and form a loop which then travels down and along it's length, carrying the fly with it.


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Jeff,

a nice entry level blank is the america tackle company ATC 802. specs at 5-6 wt, IM6, 8' although its action is rated as fast. I believe it is more moderate/fast. I have put a few together with single foot guides and they cast nice. Janns has them for around 30 bucks.

Marcus

I like the AmTak matrix blanks for a low-cost option. I have fished with two before building my first fly rod out of one.

I agree with the 8 5/6 wt combo especially with a 6wt line. A beginner needs to be able to "feel" the line load a rod and that combo IMO does that plus you can fish pans to big bass with that rod.

Thanks Guys