Nephew is asking for a rod...

[dna]

My nephew just turned 8 and my sister told me that he has been asking and asking for a fishing rod. He is fortunate enough to live in Vancouver BC and is a boy scout. He has some camping trips coming up with his troop and there will be rivers near.

I took him fishing for the first time when he was 5 years old while on a short trip out here. He got skunked (it was during a nasty heat wave) but he loved it! I caught a fish, so he got to see a trout, and he was amazed... Basically been talking about it ever since.

Anyway, my question is should I get him a fly rod for his very first? This may be a no-brainer...duh Yes! But, the thing I'm worried about is his parents do not fish and I obviously live far and cannot teach him. With that in mind, I am kinda leaning to getting him a spinning rod for now so he gets on the water, and next time I am up there teach him how to cast the fly.

Any thoughts?

[COCarp]

Well get him the Curtis Creek Manifesto an illustrated fly fishing book as well as a spinning rod just so he can get out on the water like you say.

http://www.amazon.com/Curtis-Creek-Manifesto-Sheridan-Anderson/dp/0936608064

[dna]

Sierra Trout Magnet Fly Shop (David's shop) just recently started carrying a kids' line of rods that your nephew might like. If he is really interested in learning, I would get him the fly rod to start with as well as look into any local clubs that might offer casting classes or a local guide that can hook him up, and talk his parents into accomodating that or something. The reason why I say fly rod first (if he is really interested) is so that he doesn't develop any bad "spinning rod" habits like I still have before transitioning to the fly rod. "10 and 2" is much easier if you've not had a spinning rod in your hands prior to fly fishing.

If you need a guide near Vancouver, you can always look up April Vokey. (We might have some guys here willing to fly up and pay for a two person guided trip to take your nephew on if she's guiding).

Yeah, I'll look into those rods... You hit the nail on the head, I don't want to get him into bad habits and 'into' spin casting. I would almost want him to struggle at first but to do it proper.

When I started fly fishing at 10, I read books first and then my dad got me a day with a guide. I didn't even think of that for some reason. The first lesson, with anything in my opinion, is imperative to not have bad habits...I'll find som einfo on April and maybe some classes in Vancouver. Bound to have a lot of options...

[darrin terry]

Echo recently released a flyrod designed for kids. Sells for about $100 and has a slightly smaller grip to fit a kids hands. Comes in a 4/5 wt at 7'9". Not sure if these are what David's carrting or not. Only flyrod I've seen designed for kids, so could be.

http://www.rajeffsports.com/echo_gecko.php

[rkfiske]

Sierra Trout Magnet Fly Shop (David's shop) just recently started carrying a kids' line of rods that your nephew might like. If he is really interested in learning, I would get him the fly rod to start with as well as look into any local clubs that might offer casting classes or a local guide that can hook him up, and talk his parents into accomodating that or something. The reason why I say fly rod first (if he is really interested) is so that he doesn't develop any bad "spinning rod" habits like I still have before transitioning to the fly rod. "10 and 2" is much easier if you've not had a spinning rod in your hands prior to fly fishing.

If you need a guide near Vancouver, you can always look up April Vokey. (We might have some guys here willing to fly up and pay for a two person guided trip to take your nephew on if she's guiding).

Believe me if I could afford that trip I'd sponsor that kid to fish with April haha.

[briansII]

I think it would be really cool, if Uncle DNA could persuade Dad.....politely of course, to take up fly fishing with his son. Lifetime memories....family that plays together stays together, and all that. Plus, it would make Christmas shopping sooo much easier.

Seriously though, if it's possible, I think it would be neat for them to do it together.

briansII

[darrin terry]

I think it would be really cool, if Uncle DNA could persuade Dad.....politely of course, to take up fly fishing with his son. Lifetime memories....family that plays together stays together, and all that. Plus, it would make Christmas shopping sooo much easier.

Seriously though, if it's possible, I think it would be neat for them to do it together.

briansII

Now that's a great idea! Get mom involved too.

[COCarp]

take a look at the Curtis Creek Manifesto next time your in a fly shop

It's all hand drawn and lots of great info. It would be great for a kid! Which I am in an adult body!

[dna]

Yeah, not sure if my sister will get on the river, but I am going to work on his Pops. I think it is almost necessary...

CO,
Definitely gonna get him that book. Even if at first I get him on the water with a spinner at first.

At this point, the thought is to get him a spinner for his boy scout trips. And for Christmas get him a real rod and some lessons to go with it.

If April decides to teach him I will fly up there at all costs!!

[briansII]

Yeah, not sure if my sister will get on the river, but I am going to work on his Pops. I think it is almost necessary...

CO,
Definitely gonna get him that book. Even if at first I get him on the water with a spinner at first.

At this point, the thought is to get him a spinner for his boy scout trips. And for Christmas get him a real rod and some lessons to go with it.

If April decides to teach him I will fly up there at all costs!!

I think you are making a wise choice. He needs to be on a level playing field on his Boy Scout trip. The potential to be put off on ffing, because his struggling in front of his buddies. The Manifesto will plant the seed.

If April is teaching, we'll need to document it. I travel light.

briansII

[209er]

dna,
I had a mentor in my uncle and in the later years (late 60s) I looked forward to our local trips on Sunday afternoons. Although I bought my own stuff, gifts were really appreciated. He would give me a few flies from Buz's and I did my best to thrash the trout. Our destinations were the Tule and Kaweah rivers not much over an hour from home. He really wasn't into technicalities but instead focused on the outing and being outdoors. Dad didn't get into flinging flies until the late eighties. Good memories of the East Walker, Hot Creek, Bishop, and all the roadside streams we fished. Even dragged Dad to the Missouri in October to streamer fish for browns in '92. Wow, thanks for bringing this topic up as it has brought back wonderful memories long forgotten. One last thing I'll never forget were the potato chip sandwiches Dad and me shared in mid '66 when money was tight. Not enough $ for lunch meat but enough for a chip sandwich or two. Did the same thing at Cedar Grove that fall. Yes, bunch of chips between bread, just as it sounds. 209er