Grandson wants a flyrod

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RH1

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My 14yr old grandson wants to start fly fishing so im going to buy him a setup for Christmas.
What do you experts think i should I start him with a 8' or a 9'?
Moderate/fast action?
 
9’ 5 wt seems to be the standard “first fly rod” anymore and for good reason (I’m old enough to remember 8’6” - but graphite has gotten a lot better) . Especially at his age, focusing on casting and drag free presentation fundamentals is going to be important so I wouldn’t go extra fast.

You may want to consider taking him to a well stocked fly shop, telling the person working that you’ve got a price tag to stay under and letting him try a bunch out to see which feel best in his hand, though.
 
Nocktavius said:
9’ 5 wt seems to be the standard “first fly rod” anymore and for good reason (I’m old enough to remember 8’6” - but graphite has gotten a lot better) . Especially at his age, focusing on casting and drag free presentation fundamentals is going to be important so I wouldn’t go extra fast.

You may want to consider taking him to a well stocked fly shop, telling the person working that you’ve got a price tag to stay under and letting him try a bunch out to see which feel best in his hand, though.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the advice.
 
I'd go 9' moderate fast. I won't argue with a Clearwater but they have steadily climbed in price. You can definitely spend less and get a decent rod (Redington, Echo, etc.). I've heard good things about the Echo Traverse kit.
 
I hope i did ok... I bought my grandson a 9' 5wt Redington Crosswater rod and reel.
Im going to buy him a box and stock it full with a bunch of panfish flies a couple small bass flies and a few for trout.
It will be great to watch him catch some of our big farm pond gills this spring!
 
RH1 said:
I hope i did ok... I bought my grandson a 9' 5wt Redington Crosswater rod and reel.
Im going to buy him a box and stock it full with a bunch of panfish flies a couple small bass flies and a few for trout.
It will be great to watch him catch some of our big farm pond gills this spring!
Click to expand...
If you are looking for flies, check out BigY flies on line. Call them if you need help/recommendations on what flies to buy. I have been buying from them for many years. Great company to deal with.
 
keirns4 said:
If you are looking for flies, check out BigY flies on line. Call them if you need help/recommendations on what flies to buy. I have been buying from them for many years. Great company to deal with.
Click to expand...
I agree 100%.
Ive bought from them several times and they are top notch guys to deal with
 
RH1 said:
I hope i did ok... I bought my grandson a 9' 5wt Redington Crosswater rod and reel.
Im going to buy him a box and stock it full with a bunch of panfish flies a couple small bass flies and a few for trout.
It will be great to watch him catch some of our big farm pond gills this spring!
Click to expand...
I started 3 years ago on an 8.5’ 5WT cross water. Still use it and beat the snot out of it but I will say I’m looking to upgrade to a higher quality 9’ 5WT… after a while you might want to change the line that comes on that combo. It seemed very stiff…probably a great choice for a starter rod. Also got quick replacement on a broken tip from Redington
 
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I'm gonna introduce my grandson to FFing next spring.
He'll be 8 then.
Plan on starting him out with a 7'6" 4 weight.
Think that a shorter rod might be better for someone his age.

I started out with an Orvis Far n Fine, which is 7'9" 5 weight
And I thought it was perfect.
 
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RH1 said:
I hope i did ok... I bought my grandson a 9' 5wt Redington Crosswater rod and reel.
Im going to buy him a box and stock it full with a bunch of panfish flies a couple small bass flies and a few for trout.
It will be great to watch him catch some of our big farm pond gills this spring!
Click to expand...
You did fine with the Redington outfit for your grandson. I wouldn’t over analyze the equipment for a youngster with the desire to learn to flyfish. More importantly, take the time to get on the water and get him into whatever kind of fish you can as much as you can this Spring.
 
RH1 said:
I hope i did ok... I bought my grandson a 9' 5wt Redington Crosswater rod and reel.
Im going to buy him a box and stock it full with a bunch of panfish flies a couple small bass flies and a few for trout.
It will be great to watch him catch some of our big farm pond gills this spring!
Click to expand...
I don't know if you're planning to tie any of those flies, but panfish love squirmy worms and they are an easy tie. Some homespun flies would be a very memorable addition to that box!
 
I wouldn't go any shorter than an 8ft. Longer rods cast better. There could be some frustration trying to learn on a shorter rod. Rods are much lighter than when I learned to cast. he could handle a 9ft without struggling. IMHO Also, he might really like it and you never know what the financial situation will be when he discovers smallies or anything larger than a 2lb trout.
 
As always, my advice is to not buy them anything you wouldn't choose to fish with yourself in the same situation.
 
dryflyguy said:
I'm gonna introduce my grandson to FFing next spring.
He'll be 8 then.
Plan on starting him out with a 7'6" 4 weight.
Think that a shorter rod might be better for someone his age.

I started out with an Orvis Far n Fine, which is 7'9" 5 weight
And I thought it was perfect.
Click to expand...
My son was about that age and his first casts were on a 7’6” 4wt graphite. The rod was manageable based on his size.
 
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