Tom, If you have a fly shop nearby you can ask to try "take off " lines on the rod. These are lines that have been replaced by the shop and may be used for teaching on grass or determining the correct line weight for the rod. Just thread the lines through the guides without a reel until she tells you this is the casting sweet spot. You then know what line will work best with the rod
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Tom, I agree with the concern of a 9 foot 7 weight , that Phil mentioned, for an 11 year old. A 6-1/2 to 7-1/2 foot med light spinning blank should throw an 8 weight without wearing out a pre-teen. The extra rod length is a real arm work out. A shorter rod will enable a much quicker stroke without the physical strength requirement. Even for trout fishing for children with 4 and 5 weight rods
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John, I prefer the minimum number of connections. Every connection adds weight and reduces efficiency. Connection construction is much improved, but a one piece rod is difficult to beat. By the time you get to a 4 piece rod with 3 connections the rod starts to "feel vague". Your connection to the rod tip "feels muted and disconnected". My personal rods are all 1 piece and
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Buzz, Had an opportunity to try over this past weekend. Fishing is close, so observation of the fly itself is the preferred technique. Roll cast the short line and observe the nymph or wet fly sink in the water column. Tight line control to match the fly depth to the fish. Set the hook when he takes the fly. Very productive. The problem comes with rather large fish since you have very little
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Miles, I generally tie a double or triple surgeons knot. Easy to tie and quite dependable. The knot is slightly bulkier and remember to lube the knot prior to tightening. Luck Gene
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Göran, I've created my own spreadsheet to determine rod casting weight. The specs you gave allowed me to run a stiffness test on the rod taper to determine casting weight based on fly lines specs. This blank should possess a slow butt with a light fast tip section. The tip section primarily determines the proper line weight while the butt determines the rod's ability to control the tip. In ad
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According to my calculations the rod will not be a broomstick and should adequately cast a 9 - 10 weight line. This lies within one line weight from advertised. Certainly acceptable. Perhaps the CCS has a problem with the conversion ? Gene
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Jon, Sorry but I've another variation that you may explore. Hybrid Snakes for the lower 2/3 of the rod and single foot for the tip third. I generally use Recoil light wire titanium single foot for the tip 1/3 with std snakes for the lower 2/3 with an initial stripper with insert ring. Snakes shoot line better especially with the longer distance between guides in the butt section of the rod.
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Dave, You could double that distance if you learned to use a fly rod. Light weight and delicacy are it's primary attributes. Single hand or two your requirements are right in the "wheelhouse". Gene
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Dave, The action is more moderate than most casting rods. Even a fast fly rod is still a progressive action. The rod will flex toward the grip when casting and into the grip when playing a fish. I wouldn't consider it slow just more tip flex than you might be used to. Gene
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Dave, You might consider a two hand or switch fly rod blank. Most I've seen are 4 piece but the lengths are in your range. Based on the weight your using I would suggest a 4 or 5 weight. Gene
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Thanks for the replies thus far. Phil, Yes the caster will require representation. I'm currently considering single grip position, two grip position, torque input and time. In addition the guide train weight and position will require impletation as well as their dynamic affect. Also blank construction material, length, number of sections, ferrule design. Have I missed anything ? Randol
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Is anyone aware of a dynamic analysis of rod blanks ? Most of what I've seen has been static analysis which is of very little use in assessing "feel". This could be used to assess casting characteristics and "feel" of blanks. Studies would compare affect of mass distribution versus acceleration to determine deflection of blanks under various acceleration loads. Also what
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Tom, Sage publishes guide placement and sizes If you know which blank follow their direction. Gene
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Don, You are correct to be sensitive to weight of a fly tip top. I use either a Recoil, which I'm not crazy about the looks, or a std chrome fly loop. The recoil is lighter but the std loop looks better. The inserted guides carry the penalty of more weight at exactly the worst place. Gene Moore
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I'm looking for some info on a Browning Silaflex for a rod repair Model 832955 Silaflex II 5'6" ultra light spinning The tip top is grooved and requires replacement Guides are silver frame double foot without ceramic ring and thread wraps appear dark grey It's an older rod and has served it's owner for many years. The owner requests it be brought back into fishable condition within a r
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Paul, A short 8 weight made with a 6'6" or 7" light spinning blank may be what you require. You can go up to 8' if it's an advantage. The 8 weight line has good mass for carrying the light jigs you're using and has ample power for fighting wind. Build the rod with a very light tip and you can still drop to 8X if the need presents. Roll casting out to 25 meters is possible if you lac
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Paul, A 2 weight 6'6" fly rod blank will handle down to 1/48 ounce jigs when built as a spinner and fished with 2# test. Casts easily to 20 meters. If you need to go further learn to cast a fly rod. An 8 weight fly rod with the correct line will cast 25 to 30 meters carrying a 1/32 ounce jig. The additional length and stiffness will make hook-set fast and secure even at the long distance
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Ray, I've both used and referred your site to others and have been appreciative of the info it contains. Perhaps if your website was more interactive, it would garner more interest. One site that has gone away was the site for guide and component weights. Another possibility is an interactive guide placement. There are several others. I've several spreadsheets I utilize for my own builds I c
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Mike, The only real way to know is by trying lines until you find the "sweet" spot. The blank is part of the equation but the caster's ability and feel are the real test. Matching rod to line to casting stroke at varying distances. The right choice will readily become apparent. Gene
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John, St Croix 3F703.2 Excellent blank Gene
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John, Recoil light wire single foot titanium. You're already at the correct place. Gene
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Buzz, If you give the distance from reel to tip and the desired number of guides I can give you some placements. This will also take into account grip length customizations. Gene
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Jared, Found a couple that may fit Orvis Helios II 8'4" 2 weight rated a low mid flex Sage Circa 7'9" 2 weight Should be "spot on" A 2 weight will cast down to 1/48 oz fairly easily Both are 4-piece blanks but a few drops of super glue will handle that problem Gene
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Herb, You can only lead the horse to water. After that he's pretty much up to what he wants to do. If you gave good advice that wasn't follwed you still did your part in advancing the knowledge. Should the other hundred who read and replied nothing also give thanks ? I hope it doesn't come to that. Cheer up. Share the wealth and go on. Gene
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Patrick, The Sage VXP is being discontinued and is a clearance blank at some shops. The Sage 230G bluegill is only 8' but is a great deal of fun and is much easier on the elbow. Either will cast into the backing and throw very tight loops. Gene
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Mark, You might also look for Bellinger distributers. Gene
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Herb, Please don't take it personally. This board is voluntary from both sides. In general I agree with your advice and endorse it. If you feel more should be forthcoming, maybe it should be. Only you may decide why you choose to voluntarily give advice. A thanks is nice but contributing to others is the primary purpose. Take consolation in that perhaps your advice will keep another from w
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Michal, The best 8 weight I've thrown has been the Sage 230G bluegill. Even with my old arm it's capable of a full fly line and is great fun for everything you can use an 8 weight for. Poppers, streamers, weighted nymphs with strike indicators. Capable of fishing light tippett down to 7X. It is however a little over your price point. Gene
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Jesse, My first choice would be a 7-1/2 foot 4 weight 2-piece fly rod blank. The more you are willing to spend the better your hook set will be. Keep the tip very light. Titanium frame guides and fly rod tip top Recoil. If the guides wear replace as necessary. No ceramic inserts except stripper guide. The guide train could be light wire titanium single foot fly guides. Minimize the number o
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