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  #1  
Old 04-13-2021, 04:25 PM
Off in the Bushes's Avatar
Off in the Bushes Off in the Bushes is offline
 
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Default Kids Fly Rod

Looking for recommendations on a fly rod for a 9 year old. Length and weight?
Good chance it might get broke. A warranty would be nice or inexpensive.
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Old 04-13-2021, 05:02 PM
WinFwt WinFwt is offline
 
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suggest a 4wt or 5 wt rod in a medium action for ease of casting for a novice.
something in the 7' to 8' range.
There are some very reasonably priced combo packages by TFO or Redington available designed for kids starting out that won't break the bank. $150 to $250 range.
TFO Bug Launcher or Redington Minnow. I believe both include rod, reel, line & case. Probably others, but that's what comes to mind.

Good on you for getting the young one flyfishing.
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  #3  
Old 04-13-2021, 05:22 PM
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I bought my 9yr old son a 7’ 3/4wt tfo bug launcher and he absolutely loves it
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  #4  
Old 04-13-2021, 08:29 PM
Jayhad Jayhad is offline
 
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An Echo Gecko is the perfect rig for kids with an outstanding warranty.
https://echoflyfishing.com/project/echogecko/

See Josh or one of his more than capable staff at OFF https://www.calgarysflyshop.com/
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  #5  
Old 04-28-2021, 08:43 PM
petew petew is offline
 
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https://www.amazon.ca/Maxcatch-Explo...ef_=ast_sto_dp

I use the same package quite often in 4 and 5 wt., no complaints.

Pete
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  #6  
Old 04-28-2021, 10:55 PM
densa44 densa44 is offline
 
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Default Another point of view

Speaking about my own apprenticeship at about the same age. The objective is for the novice to catch fish, that will be his point of view too. I would recommend a longer, stiffer rod, in graphite (they didn't have that 70 years ago) and a high floating WF fly line. The reel will just be holding the line so don't spend much there.
The long rod will make it much easier for the nimrod to learn to pick the line up without ripping it off the surface. The stiff action will help a lot too. I'd start him on some elk hair caddis flys, there is nothing like the thrill of a take on the surface.
Grandfather's advice, he used a Hardy split bamboo rod, long ago, "careful wading is way more important than long casts!"
There is a fellow on here offering lessons on how to fish nymphs', those guys catch the most fish, so if you can teach him that he is fixed for life.
Welcome, start tying your own flys.
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  #7  
Old 05-03-2021, 09:47 AM
Ronbill Ronbill is offline
 
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From my experience with novice fly anglers, slower action rods that allow the novice to feel the rod load with the line, is the way to go. I've had buddies flailing away with super fast graphite rods that couldn't seem to get the proper timing down. Once I handed them a slower action rod (bamboo or fiberglass) that ACTUALLY bent under load of the line, they quickly developed the feel and improved their timing greatly.
For my own boys, I started them on inexpensive Aventik 8'+ 5wt fiberglass rods bought online. These are made from s-glass (fast) fiberglass and flex more fully compared to stiff graphite. It was amazing to see how quickly they grasped the concept of timing their cast to load the rod and this allowed them to start shooting line out to distance quite quickly.
I also find the slower action helps with setting the hook when fish take the fly. I see far fewer missed hook-sets as, again, the slower action rod doesn't rip the fly away from the fish so quickly. This characteristic of slower action rods also protect tippet from breaking when playing large fish.
Lastly, fiberglass is usually far more durable than graphite.

Last edited by Ronbill; 05-03-2021 at 10:08 AM.
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  #8  
Old 05-03-2021, 10:53 AM
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Dean2 Dean2 is offline
 
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Sums up the answer very nicely. ^^^^^^^^
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  #9  
Old 07-12-2021, 04:18 PM
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1/2 oz Bucktail 1/2 oz Bucktail is offline
 
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I got my kids a TFO just on the basis that I can run into Calgary and get a replacement section if they happen to break it.
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  #10  
Old 07-13-2021, 11:44 PM
In Tents In Tents is offline
 
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Got two tfo bug launchers for my kids 9 and 12 great little fly rods, cdn made and good warranty, lots of times i'll cast and they strip just to get the feel of it. Overall really happy with both of them!
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  #11  
Old 07-14-2021, 12:55 AM
Scottmisfits Scottmisfits is offline
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No, just a Canadian distributor. All TFO rods are made in South Korea. But, that doesn’t change the fact that they are a good rod. You can actually see how they’re made, just google it. It’s actually pretty cool. I will post the link a little later. It was a long day.
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  #12  
Old 07-14-2021, 05:36 PM
In Tents In Tents is offline
 
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Thanks for clarifying
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  #13  
Old 02-02-2022, 08:39 PM
Canadamanada Canadamanada is offline
 
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7 fooT 4 weight Fenwick fiberglass off Amazon is a great little rod.
Very slow action and tough as nails.
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  #14  
Old 02-03-2022, 07:58 AM
fishinsteel fishinsteel is offline
 
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Default Kids Fly Rod

TFO & Redington good choices with warranties, 4/5wt - 7' to 8'
Good Luck.
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