Rod for son ..question

[JRA]

I just started fly fishing less then a month ago and wanted to try my 8 year old at it. Of course I cant afford to go grab him a st Croix like mine until I see if he has the patience for it first. I found a Shakespeare 7 ft 4wt graphite rod while shoping at the local wallymart and was wondering if it was worth trying him on it?
I have a reel that was given to me that would do fine but im not sure what size the line is. Is there anyway to tell?

[Eight Thumbs]

Hi JRA,

Theoretically you can weight the first thirty (?) feet of a fly line and determine how many grams correspond to which rod weight. The conversion chart is found in many books and can probably be Googled up with a little patience. Your son will love the rod. You should have a great time if you can find a farm pond or a small shallow lake to fish for brim and bass. Please make sure that all his flies are barbless and that he follows the rule about always wearing a hat this a stiff brim and sun glasses or safety glasses. Set a good example and do the same. I have a grand daughter who is getting a fly rod in another year or so. Have fun. 8T

[backwoods]

i own a southbend cahill rod via troutlet and martin large arbor brook there rock,
and also go down to cabelias they have cool deals too,
to tell line wait get a fish line scale and weigh the first 30 feet of line. that works great.

[JRA]

thanks for the advice 8 thumbs. Being a newbie myself I wear sunglasses when ever I do any big cast.
I got the rod for the big sum of $14.99 so I cant freak the first time he snaps the thing in half.
I plan on taking him to the spots I practice after work which are loaded with bass and bluegill.