Last month I had the kids with me on the Saturday that was casting clinic day for a local fly fishing club, and my daughter who just turned 9 wanted to try, so I handed her my rod and handed her off to the instructor and after about 5 minutes was already exceeding my pathetic efforts ("No, dad, do it like this! You look like a robot! :p).
Ever since, she's been saying she wants her own fly rod, and my 9-foot 5 weight is probably a bit large for her, even though she's tall for her age. I'm thinking of getting her one for Christmas, but she has a tendency (as many kids do) of trying something and not sticking to it (karate, ballet), which is fine up to a point - you have to try things in life and see if they are for you or not - hence my dilemma. On the one hand, I don't want her to have a crummy rod and be discouraged, but I don't want to spend a lot of money and see her give it up, either.
So, things being considered:
-TFO Bug Launcher 7 foot, plus an old reel and old 5WF line I have in a box. I also have a 5 sink-tip on that reel at the moment if that would load the rod more easily. Cost: $80 now and would require getting her a reel, line, and backing if she sticks with it.
-LL Bean Angler II outfit (7-foot 5-wt, reel, backing, line, leader). Cost $69
-Eagle Claw Featherlight (7-foot 5-wt) with the old reel and line mentioned above. Reviews of this rod are not terribly favorable, but most are also comparing this low-cost glass rod to much higher-cost graphite, which isn't exactly apples to apples, so I'm not sure if this thing is a piece of junk or not (although at this low of a price, maybe yes?). Cost: under $25.
I'm sure I'm not the only dad or granddad here who has faced this dilemma, so I'm seeking your sage advice (but no, she's not getting a Sage, hehheh). What would you do/have you done in this situation?
Ralph King
Have you ever considered tenkara? They are fantastic rods for teaching fly casting and a blast catching bluegills with.
Feb 17, 2017
Ray Ditzenberger
Eagle claw also makes a 6"6' 3/4wt rod that is a nice little rod that I would recommend. It actually works very well with a 5wt line. Put a cheap real and moderate line on it and you won't have a lot of money in it and she will have a fun little rod. I would never put a graphite rod in any beginners hands. They are too delicate and any little nick is inviting a catastrophic failure. Glass will take a lot more abuse. She will love it is my guess. I like mine and I have several black rods. Some costing big bucks. Take the stress out of getting the first rig for a beginner, kid or not.
Mar 1, 2018
Ray Ditzenberger
I should have added that my 9' 5wt black rod sits in the rod case while my 6' light rods get to see all the action. Don't sell them short. On a good day with no wind I can get out there 60' casts and I don't consider myself a good caster.
Mar 1, 2018