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Started By
Message
1st Fly Rod for my grandson - Recs
Posted on 10/6/21 at 1:52 pm
Posted on 10/6/21 at 1:52 pm
My 13-year-old grandson has got the bug. He's putting together a war chest of lures at the moment. Strictly bass fishing for now with spinning rod/reel, etc. I want to break him into flyfishing (Christmas present). He's got the mindset and appreciation that matches up to the age-old fishing technique.
That said, I'm hoping to get recommendations on what to look for. I want to stick with a manual wind reel. Not sure about a 4-piece or less than 4-piece or what the advantages/disadvantages would be.
This one caught my eye today: Orvis Encounter 5-weight 9' Fly Rod Outfit
I know at one time Orvis use to be the gold standard of fly fishing. Not sure if that's changed.
Thanks in advance for any recommendations.
That said, I'm hoping to get recommendations on what to look for. I want to stick with a manual wind reel. Not sure about a 4-piece or less than 4-piece or what the advantages/disadvantages would be.
This one caught my eye today: Orvis Encounter 5-weight 9' Fly Rod Outfit
I know at one time Orvis use to be the gold standard of fly fishing. Not sure if that's changed.
Thanks in advance for any recommendations.
12
Posted on 10/6/21 at 2:00 pm to tigerpawl
quote:
Not sure about a 4-piece or less than 4-piece or what the advantages/disadvantages would be.
Go 4pc. Really no disadvantages and they pack down for easy travel. That orvis outfit is really nice. 5wt is a good all around weight. For added fun you could even drop down to a 4 or 3wt to better suit panfish as well.
Orvis is still really solid. Good warranty and they will place backing on orvis reels for free. They also do trade-ins on Orvis equipment from time to time.
I have an Orvis 8wt for saltwater and it's been a great rod and reel.
Posted on 10/6/21 at 2:24 pm to tigerpawl
That's a solid starter rod. However it is not subject to Orvis' warranty. I believe the Clearwater model is the least expensive rod that is under warranty. If he wants to fly fish for bass I would recommend a 6wt
Posted on 10/6/21 at 2:32 pm to tigerpawl
Does he have a mentor or someone with FF experience that can teach him ? If not, perhaps look into purchasing a series of lessons through ORVIS so he will learn proper casting, retrieving, tying techniques. At 13, trying to wing this on his own may lead to frustration. ORVIS staff may be able to find him a quality R&R set-up from a customer looking to upgrade.
Posted on 10/6/21 at 2:34 pm to tigerpawl
quote:
I know at one time Orvis use to be the gold standard of fly fishing.
They were never the gold standard. They just actively capitalized on the movie "A River Runs Through It". They do and have always made a very good product and I have a few of their rods and would still recommend them.
Another to consider would be a TFO.
What do you think he will be fishing, saltwater or freshwater?
That will help determine what weight rod he would need.
Saltwater, 5 wt is a little light
Freshwater 5 wt is a good all around rod. I prefer lighter though for bream and trout and heavier for bass.
Posted on 10/6/21 at 3:12 pm to tigerpawl
I would have to agree with another poster that Orvis is not and was not the standard among serious fly fishers. Orvis, like many others, makes a few outstanding products and some that are just okay. Orvis has a vocal following. I’m just not part of it.
For a combo set up I recommend that you also look at Redington. Redington has several combo package price points. As an alternative to a combo set up, I would check out the Echo line of fly rods, and for a reel the Lamson Liquid is a nice reel for the money. Granted the total would be a good bit more than the Orvis package, but the Echo/Lamson set up will “grow” with him.
Many of the young guys use a 5 weight as an all around rod. I am from the era that used a 6 weight as a general purpose fly rod. Also, I usually fish out of a drift boat on the big western rivers. I tend to pick up a 6 weight for most nymph/streamer boat fishing as I find it easier on the arm to cast/mend/strip the slightly heavier set up. For bass and bream I would gravitate toward a 6 weight as the six will handle fluffy/bulky bass flies a little better. A 5 weight will be a little sportier for bream. 9 foot, four piece rods are the standard configuration for a general purpose rod.
Whatever you buy he will love. Get some casting instructions for your grandson.
For a combo set up I recommend that you also look at Redington. Redington has several combo package price points. As an alternative to a combo set up, I would check out the Echo line of fly rods, and for a reel the Lamson Liquid is a nice reel for the money. Granted the total would be a good bit more than the Orvis package, but the Echo/Lamson set up will “grow” with him.
Many of the young guys use a 5 weight as an all around rod. I am from the era that used a 6 weight as a general purpose fly rod. Also, I usually fish out of a drift boat on the big western rivers. I tend to pick up a 6 weight for most nymph/streamer boat fishing as I find it easier on the arm to cast/mend/strip the slightly heavier set up. For bass and bream I would gravitate toward a 6 weight as the six will handle fluffy/bulky bass flies a little better. A 5 weight will be a little sportier for bream. 9 foot, four piece rods are the standard configuration for a general purpose rod.
Whatever you buy he will love. Get some casting instructions for your grandson.
Posted on 10/6/21 at 3:13 pm to tigerpawl
Orvis Encounter is a great place to start
Posted on 10/6/21 at 3:19 pm to Got Blaze
quote:This is where I come in - at least in a legacy sort of way. I use to be pretty handy with a fly rod back in the day. My dad taught me. Don't get me wrong.... I'm no expert, but I want to reserve that first intro with just him and me. I have a pond picked out nearby and want to bring him out there, if for nothing else than to assemble the rig and get the feel of the rod/reel/line in his hand.
Does he have a mentor or someone with FF experience that can teach him ? If not, perhaps look into purchasing a series of lessons through ORVIS so he will learn proper casting, retrieving, tying techniques. At 13, trying to wing this on his own may lead to frustration. ORVIS staff may be able to find him a quality R&R set-up from a customer looking to upgrade.
Posted on 10/6/21 at 3:19 pm to runningdog
quote:
I would have to agree with another poster that Orvis is not and was not the standard among serious fly fishers
To they lay person it might as well be and they are one of the few that puts out rods and reels for all price ranges.
Problem is where would you stop when considering gold standard? Winston, Sage, Scott, Oyster Bamboo...
quote:
I usually fish out of a drift boat on the big western rivers
Yeah a 9ft 5-6wt is ideal out west. I'd rather a shorter and lighter rod when pond fishing in the Southeast and even fishing the Appalachian trout.
Posted on 10/6/21 at 4:09 pm to tigerpawl
You might consider going on a guided trip with him after showing him the basics. I'm self taught and went out with guides a couple times to gain more knowledge.
Posted on 10/6/21 at 6:16 pm to tigerpawl
Not sure what your budget is, but Wild Water makes a decent fly rod/reel combo. Most come with a case and a few lures as well. $100 and up on Amazon.
Posted on 10/6/21 at 6:41 pm to bbvdd
quote:
Another to consider would be a TFO.
Another vote for TFO, great company with good pricing for quality.
Posted on 10/6/21 at 8:32 pm to tigerpawl
I bought that Orvis Encounter early this year and have enjoyed the hell out of it, being a novice. I've caught a crap load of fish on it, all over the place, this year. I know there's way nicer rigs out there, but for the price, you can't go wrong with it.
Posted on 10/6/21 at 8:51 pm to tigerpawl
My grandfather taught me. He put a hula-hoop down in his big back yard and made me practice until I could roll a line of any length right into the center of the hoop.
Then, with open water (no snags) behind us and bream beds swirling in front of us, he slowly trolled me up and down the bank over a 100 yard length or so, over and over. In retrospect, it was almost cheating. I've done a lot of similar fishing in the years since, and never done as well.
Be thoughtful about how you are going to introduce him to it, to make it fun and to keep from having to unlearn bad habits/form.
Maybe include how-to and joy-of fly fishing dvds/books, or links to some online content you discover for him.
and make it a big deal. He'll never forget it!
Then, with open water (no snags) behind us and bream beds swirling in front of us, he slowly trolled me up and down the bank over a 100 yard length or so, over and over. In retrospect, it was almost cheating. I've done a lot of similar fishing in the years since, and never done as well.
Be thoughtful about how you are going to introduce him to it, to make it fun and to keep from having to unlearn bad habits/form.
Maybe include how-to and joy-of fly fishing dvds/books, or links to some online content you discover for him.
and make it a big deal. He'll never forget it!
Posted on 10/6/21 at 10:53 pm to tigerpawl
Get the kid to Dry Run Creek in Arkansas. He’ll be hooked.
Posted on 10/7/21 at 6:12 am to luvdoc
quote:Thanks for this reminder. It's not an impact sport and rarely draws a crowd. Size and speed take a back seat to timing and touch. I like the hula-hoop idea.
Be thoughtful about how you are going to introduce him to it, to make it fun and to keep from having to unlearn bad habits/form.
Posted on 10/7/21 at 6:56 am to 257WBY
or spring river
Posted on 10/7/21 at 9:25 am to Park duck
spring river =/= Dry run creek
Posted on 10/7/21 at 11:01 am to tigerpawl
Agree with others on TFO as a first rod. Decent quality and good price. Depends on where you are fishing and species. I bass and trout fish in SE Tn with a 5 wt St. Croix but one of my favorite things is using my 2 Wt TFO and Bream fish with popping bugs. My advice on teaching is to take him for a full day professionally guided trip. Way more fun and after 1 day on fish he will have the hang of it. And a great time together!
Posted on 10/7/21 at 11:47 am to tigerpawl
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