Looking for help with age 12 angler

[fishsalmon]

To all,
I have been throwing the long rod for only three years and I am basically self taught. Read this I have many bad habits. My 12 year old nephew is showing some interest in fly fishing. He tied his first clouser this weekend and went out and tried casting some as well. Seemed to really enjoy this. So here goes - what weight rod to start a younger angler? Any tips on teaching a younger angler to cast? Great opportunity for me to help this young man start off - just worried I am ill equipped for the challenge.

v/r Blake

[Dave Sikorski]

I started with a 5/6 wt.

I think anything under an 8wt should be light enough for him to cast and not get to tired, and it's big enough to cast flies to anything he could catch in the Bay.

-D

[fishsalmon]

Thank you Dave.

I have a 5wt and a 7wt (also 8wt and 9wt). I was thinking the 5wt might be a good size but was not sure. If he really starts to take to it, I can always get him his own rod. Just thought until we knew for sure he could use on of mine.

[OneMoreCast]

Blake,
If he's 12... he knows utube. There are volumes of casting demos on there. Search for LEfty Kreh... I'm a little biased when it comes to casting instructors..
You should watch those to brush up. Then teach him the basics... technique is more important than distance... A straight cast and a tight loop are the two things that should be praised because those are the signs of good technique. Teach him well... he is our future.

[fishsalmon]

Thank Tony.
Is a 5wt a good place to start him?

I will try to look at youtube as well - I read a lot but never even thought about that. Sign of a different era I guess.

Blake

[OneMoreCast]

5wt is fine.. anything under an 8wt is fine.

If you have any questions, let me know. Best thing in the world is to get kids involved in fishing. Reminds me of my youth... Building the conservationists of tomorrow one casting lesson at a time.