my son who,s 12 wants to start fly fishing.what would be the best rod for him to start with.

thanks

What type of fishing will he mostly be doing, stream, river or loch. Given that the trout river season has closed I assume you are after a stillwater / loch rod (unless it`s grayling you want) ?
Something with a middle to tip action about 9`6 for a 6 or 7 weight line may suit for the loch or perhaps a 9 footer for a 5 weight line for the rivers next year. The Greys G series and Daiwa Wilderness are a good range of rods for the money and quite often you can pick up a complete outfit very reasonably. If you can be a little more specific in your requirements you may get some more detailed answers.
ATB,
Andy

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The trout in yonder wimpling burn
That glides, a silver dart,
And, safe beneath the shady thorn,
Defies the anglers art

R.Burns

it will be stillwater fishing

John Norris is doing the 9`6 Greyflex Mk2 in a 6/7wt for £99 down from £174. These are very nice rods. The Shakespeare Trion is also well thought of (I havn`t fished with one of these), you can get one for £40. You could try the Wychwood rods, the Aura is £90 and the Truefly is £75. How much were you thinking of spending ?
ATB,
Andy

__________________
The trout in yonder wimpling burn
That glides, a silver dart,
And, safe beneath the shady thorn,
Defies the anglers art

R.Burns

Do you not think that 9' 6" and 6/7wt is bit too much rod for a 12 year old?

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Kinda depends on the particular 12 year old.....

8 foot 6 and a five weight will get the job done most days - doubles as a nice small river rod too - Folks speak highly of the Shakespeare Oddysey range.

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Plusnet/Madasafish > Liars to the internet community

I'd recommend a Redington RedFly2, 9ft #5. You can get hold of one for around £99.

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Will captivate a greedy mind - Isaac Walton.

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Totally agree, I suppose then he could also teach his boy to shoot by starting him off with a nice beginner's rifle like a .300 Winchester Magnum.

How about a 8.5 or 9 foot 5/6 for starters instead? Versatile, easy to handle, and at 9 foot it's a good general purpose length that can be used almost anywhere.

Even with good instruction and practice, it would be years before most kids will have the fishing skill, casting skill, coordination, and strength to use a long rod and a heavy line all day long. Why handicap him with it as a beginner?

Grouse

i've got a shakespere 8ft 5/6# with a basic shakespere reel with a floating line. and for a donation he can have that as am clearing out due to house move.

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first divison champs!!!!!

St johnstone Fc

My advice - get him to try out a few different rods before purchasing to see which suits him best and which feels the most comfortable to handle. Any fishing tackle shop will be more than happy to help. Lucy