I have been asked to make a fly rod for a 55 year old beginner
this rod will be a no-frills 9' - 2 piece rod
rod will be used almost exclusively on a large private pond with plenty of room for a back cast
pond is stocked with black bass, crappie and blue gill
the client wants to learn how to handle a fly rod fishing this pond, but wants to hold this first rod cost to a minimum until he learns how to handle the rod.
he is planning a fishing trip to a resort with good trout fishing and the resort furnishes the tackle for clients as needed

Question 1: will a 6 wt rod be best or will a 7 wt rod be best for this beginner?

Question 2: What handle design will be best for a beginner who does not have access to a good selection of fly rods to check out various handle shape?
*- Full Wells Fly Grips
*- Reversed Half Wells Fly Grips
*- Cigar Fly Grips

6 weight, in my opinion, will be more than adequate. Batson has some great blanks in the RX6 two piece line. I like the feel of a full wells grip on that particular weight rod. American tackle Matrix Blanks are also nice for beginners. I have built many on the Batson though and have been very satisfied.

For all around use a 6-weight is quite versatile for a good number of freshwater species. I would select a fast action blank (no they are not harder to load, etc., than a slower action blank) of a reasonable performance level. One of the key in his being able to effectively learn to use the outfit will be proper lining of the rod. The line weight that would work best on a 6-weight rod on a narrow stream won't be the same line weight that will work best on his pond. As the rod builder make sure that the line you put on that rod, or advise be matched with it, is sufficient to load the rod at the distances he'll be fishing.

While it might not be the norm on mid-weight fly rods, the Full Wells or Western/Fenwick type, are grips styles that offer a lot of control for the angler.

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I was going to mention a Fenwick style grip. Not just good control, but often very comfortable.

eric
fresno, ca.

Karen at Bingham(sponsor at left) has a 6 wt 9ft 2 piece fly blank in her SHX range.

I have made up a few for the same purpose( good beginner rod with low cost) and at around $35 retail its a bargain.

I hate to see beginning fly-fishers frustrated by sub-par equipment or sub-par instruction. Four-piece fly rods outsell every other type by a bunch - and for good reasons: convenience and performance. The best grip depends upon hand size. I would advise this customer to seek the advice of a competent fly-caster and test-cast a number of different lines and rods. The rod is no better than the line it is matched with.

I hate to see beginning fly-fishers frustrated by sub-par equipment or sub-par instruction. Four-piece fly rods outsell every other type by a bunch - and for good reasons: convenience and performance. The best grip depends upon hand size. I would advise this customer to seek the advice of a competent fly-caster and test-cast a number of different lines and rods. The rod is no better than the line it is matched with.