Hello all. I'm building a scaled down two-handed fly rod for my daughter from a 5 weight, 10 foot blank.

I think i read somewhere that generally two handed rods take a line weight two sizes higher than a single hand rod. So would the same apply or are there additional considerations because this isn't a designated switch rod or mini-spey rod?

thanks
Tom.

I have never heard of this formula, and not at all sure of the basis for it. It will mostly depend upon how she will be casting with the rod.

If simple two handed roll casts, or two handed false casts the line weight is probably closer to one weight higher.

However if she will be doing spey type of casts, it will depend upon how much line she can handle out side the tip for those casts. This will require experimentation to determine both the "overhang" lengths and line weights. A good starting point is the one weight over.

If you have the lines on hand, I'd take her out and start with the rod designated weight and work your way up. Again the casting type or style will be a BIG factor!

A couple of years ago, I had Larry Lee of L3Rods (916-962-0616) cut some line for me for a switch rod. He has a formula that he used to cut the line specifically for my rod. I was using a blank that he had used before, and had a formula worked up. I told him what I needed, and said he would put the line together, (180g Scandi head for a 7wt 10'6" switch rod) in the mail. I sent him a check that day, and he sent the line that day, with on over the phone hand shake. A Rare Commodity these days. I know that you are not building a Spey or Switch rod, you might try using some of the "Half Weight Heavy" line like Scientific Anglers Boost and go 1 wt heavy for the blank weight. A few years ago, I bought a 10 foot blank that was supposed to be a 3 Wt to nymph fish with... It would not load for anything.. I went up to 5 and it was still dead. I went to 7 wt and the thing came alive...It loads deep and shoots like a cannon... You just have to play with it, it will tell you what it likes.

Thanks Phil. Your explanation makes sense. She's only doing simple roll casts and two handed false casts - we'll be swinging wet flies and streamers for trout and smallmouth.

One last question, what type of line would you recommend for this type of fishing? Would it be one of the designated switch rod lines with a shorter, heavy head or something different?

Thanks Randy.

I guess experimentation will be in order. Luckily the owner of our local fly shop has told me about a line test system he recommends, where he supplies a reel with the running line and various heads and you can see which weight your rod prefers. I'll have to give that a try.

You could spend days digging through all this, but there are some threads on kids rods here:
[www.speypages.com]

My recommendation would be an OPST skagit, and follow their size recommendations for single-handed rods. These short heads are very easy to cast.
[www.opskagit.com]

Tom, awfully hard to be making recommendations with the limited information! Examples; her experience, age , strength, etc.

I think your plan of using the fly shop system is the way to go.

Will a 9' work Does she NEED a 10'

Bill - willierods.com

One thing to consider is if you want full length line or head and running line. If you want a full line, then I suggest using something like the Royal Wulff Ambush line in either a 5wt or 6wt. These lines should have enough weight to help with spey type cast. If you want a head system, then something like the OPST which was mentioned will work.