I have three kids, 11, 9 and 9, who each want to build their own fly rod. They have been fly fishing with me since each was five years old, nymphs dragged behind our canoe, mainly, occasional nymphing in creeks and small rivers. Next is teaching them to cast dries. A 6' 6" to 7' 6" 4wt rod is what I want them to learn to cast on.

Any favorite blanks that you've built/cast that will not break the bank?

Thanks for your thoughts.

Craig



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/07/2011 01:17PM by Craig Strong.

If you can go with a 7'6" 4 weight utmost has some on closeout. The price is right and they are decent blanks. Might have a few scratches at worst. Hard to go wrong for 18 bucks.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Thanks, Russ. That's a good deal. Three or four piece would be preferred to pack smaller as we do a lot of camping.

Anyone had any experience with blanks from [www.rdpflyrods.com] ?

Craig

The Batson RX-6 and Pac Bay Tradition blanks are very good for the money. I think both make a couple of options in the short 4wt line up. I did 3 of the RX-6 7-6 5wts for my nephews a few years ago for Christmas and the boys had no trouble learning to cast on them and they were about the same age as your kids.

FWIW I'm not a fly rod fisherman. Yesterday four of the Utmost fly rods arrived at my house. There were two 8'6" 5 weights and, in the better grade RX8, a 9' 6 weight and a 9' 9 weight. The only fly rod I had to comapre with is a "white river" package deal I got at bass pro shops. It is rated as an 8 weight (but is a dog). I felt the 6 weight was maybe a more powerful rod and certainly a ton faster.

Bottom line, I think you could over line them.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

I would suggest a RX-7 or higher I myself don't like RX 6 They are too soft for me

Check out American Tackle Matrix Series

Bill - willierods.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/07/2011 02:38PM by bill boettcher.

I have used Sevier manufacturings 7'6" 3/4 wt 4pc for youth builds. They are inexpensive and cast well. I think they are around $32 a blank. I have one that is a personal rod that I use alot. They are a little faster than the rx6. The Utmost blanks would also be a steal at $18 a pop, if they have any left.

For youngsters, the Batson RX6 is hard to beat.
Here is a link.
Note there are 4 and even 5 piece blanks available.
[www.schneidersrods.com]

Best wishes,
Ron Schneider
Schneider's Rod Shop
Mountain Home, Arkansas
[www.schneidersrods.com]
mtnron40@yahoo.com
870-424-3381

In that particular size and weight, I like the Tiger Eye 7'6" 3/4 weight. Very attractive blank with a nice medium/fast action. This is the same blank mentioned by Mr. Ross. The Tiger Eye 7'6" comes in Brown (my favorite color), Matte Black and Green. They also have a 7' model of this blank, but I have never built on it.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/07/2011 05:09PM by Bob Riggins.

Ron

Above has them

Bill - willierods.com

I just received two of Utmost closeout fly blanks. They are 7 foot 4 weight, and are quite nice. i got a plum colored one and matte graphite.

I am gong to build one as a spinning rod, and the other as a fly rod? i think they will work well. The spinning rod is for my brother in law for crappie fishing. I made myself one last year, and it worked well for crappie.

I did weigh them this afternoon, and the plum was .2 oz less than the matte. I would have thought the opposite. Just an FYI.

Bert Nagy

I second the recommendatio of the Batson RX6 for kids. Easy for them to cast and inexpensive if the damage them.

RX-6 (F-764-4) great starter fly rod, and then in the RX7(IF793-4). I have built a few of each in the 3 and 4 wts for clients targeting the Shenandoah brook trout streams and have heard nothing but great things. Great overall value. I am currently building on a 8'6 4wt. MHX blank for another client and hope to have the guides on later today for some test casting. Feels light and very responsive so we'll see. Very thin walled blank vs. some of the others I have seen.