Good fly rods for kid beginners?

[JBplusThuy]

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?

[Jim Ducy]

I teach kids to fish all the time. Try this out;

ECHO GECKO

 

Helping to make fly fishing easy for youngsters was Tim Rajeff's goal when he created the ECHO GECKO rods. No longer do children have to learn to fly fish with a rod that is too long or too stiff or use a rod with a handle designed for adult hands. ECHO GECKO rods have a special diameter handle and a small 2" long fighting butt that allows the smallest anglers to use two hands to cast. A bright yellow blank and a fun colored handle make these rods as much fun to look at as they are to cast. The rod is a great length for trout, pan fish, and bass. The rod can handle a short belly WF5 or a standard WF4 line.

GECKO Rods feature:

• Three piece travel design
• Alignment dots for quick assembly
• Wild colored EVA extra small diameter full wells handle
• 2" EVA fighting butt
• Fuji-style fast tighten reel seat
• Bright yellow gloss blank with orange thread wraps
• Hard chrome snake guides
• Rod sock and sturdy cordura covered rod case
• Echo lifetime warranty

 

A

VIEW LARGER

GECKO
MODEL	LENGTH	LINE WT.	PIECES	HANDLE	ACTION	PRICE
GECKO	7'9"	4-5	3	A	MED FAST	$99.99

I like a 5wt line and if you go hole hog look on ebay and get a Sears red colored fly reel then you are in business. Find your self a pond with blue gills and some #10 yellow popper next spring leave your rod home and go out and fun some fun wih your little girl on a sunny afternoon, have memories for a life time. Do this as offten as possible! Jim Ducy

[JBplusThuy]

Thanks, Jim. I scratched the Echo Gecko from the list partly based on price and partly because if she decides it isn't for her and I wind up using it myself or selling it,  I'd rather have something a little more toned-down :-)

[Greg McWilliams]

The feather light eagle claw is a nice little rod, cast nicely, and for the price is nice to have as a spare anyway!!!!

The tfo are great little rod and have a unlimited lifetime warrenty!!!!!!

That is a good price on the on the combo kit from ll bean, I have never fished it but then she is set up!!!!!

Everytime I buy a new flyrod I go thru the same problem you do!!!!! I do have 4 TFO rods and had to have my 2 wt. replaced sent it in on a Monday, They had it back to me on Friday!!!!! $25. replacement cost which is shipping and handleing!!!!!

SO MANY RODS SO LITTLE TIME!!!!!!!

[Gillbuster]

You can not go wrong with the 2010 Eagle Claw featherlight. I recently purchased this rod for $19.95 at Dick Sporting Goods. What I thought would be a cheap yellow fly rod that would be put in the closet for my nephew, I was astonished with action and performance of this rod. I have over 50 fiberglass rod, Wonderord, Fenwicks Phillipsons and I have to say this rod is every bit as good as my other rods... It is a great rod not just for a beginner but for veterean like myself..

Here is a nice writeup on the rod 

http://www.flyfishohio.com/Eagle_Claw_Featherlight_FL300-8.htm

[jim cosgrove]

i have to agree with eagle claw.bought for kids or friends who want to try fly casting.it works really well i was surprised.little bait store by me went out of business.got it for 6 bucks.they had 5 i bought 1.oh well

[Ralph King]

Have you ever considered tenkara? They are fantastic rods for teaching fly casting and a blast catching bluegills with. 

[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. 

[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.