Building a rod for a 6 yr old.

[jw healy]

My 6 yr old granddaughter asked me to make a fly rod for her. I am considering a 61/2' 2wt with a 6' grip loaded with a 3WF line for easier loading. I would appreciate any opinions before I start.

[Lotech]

That should work fine. Have you looked at the Tiger Eye blanks?

[kbproctor]

I know this more than likely, isn't a viable option for you, but I really wish I had done what I have been wanting to do and get one of those pink or purple blanks Mudhole has. I have 9 granddaughters and they all love pink and/or purple. I wanted to run one of those blanks through the CCS and see what kind of fly rod it would make. Take a pink rod, purple wraps, and throw a little glitter in the first layer of rod finish. Instant hit with any of my granddaughters. I don't know that the weight is as important as length. My grandkids do fine with a little Eagle Claw "Feather Light" that is a 5/6 and comes in about 6'.

I look at a first fly rod, or first fishing rod of any kind, like a first car. It is going to be abused. I think a Tiger Eye would be a good choice, too. Those blanks make nice rods, period. They are inexpensive, too.

[Sully]

Personally...Id build a 7 ft rod..2 piece..and a 3 wgt and overline with a 4 wgt line. If the child can ever learn to cast a 6 1/2 ft rood...doing a 7 ft wont be any problem...and if you build it "right"...later on in life they can always use it as a small stream rod....should they advance up the ladder in fly fishing.