Echo Gecko 7’9” 4/5 wt Fly Rod for Kids – updated
My older son and I picked up his first fly rod from post office which was granted to him after passing Kanji Exam. He had been trying fly fishing with multiple tackles before, but we found difficulties in casting. Some rods were too long and too heavy. Some rods didn't give him enough feedback on casting so that he couldn't keep concentrating on what he was doing.
I'd say fishing-part of fly fishing is quite simple.When I first gave my son tenkara (non-reel fly rod) tackle, he understood immediately how to put fly where fish is. Casting-part is not. It's a combination of motion much like playing guitar that requires certain amount of experience by practice how to let your tool do the work for you.
So, the most important part of letting someone learn fly casting is to choose the right tackle that is not too heavy or too light for that person. And another key point is how to sustain concentration of that person before unfamiliar experience tires him or her out.
I searched for quite sometimes and found that Joan Wulff, great caster of all time, left great instructions: Fly Casting for Children. Then her study came to reality by another great caster, Tim Rajeff, fonder of Echo and brother of Steve Rajeff, into this 3 piece fly rod for kids.
Echo Gecko fly rod comes in 3 piece which become 7'9'' in assembly. Length of fly rod is not too short (creates enough kinetics) or too long (kids will hit the obstacles with rod easily) and heavy. It loads 4 or 5wt line which is ideal for kids who needs to feel good amount of feedback from fly line when they "actively stop" the rod tip. 4/5wt are not too much weight to give fatigue too soon either.
Grip is made of EVA in thin diameter of 1.75cm (my 3wt is 2.5cm) which prevents it to slip off kid's small hand. It also offers extended end grip to make it a switch rod. This is the remarkable feature of Gecko for kid can cast both single or two-handed, and he can get helps in higher line speed for distance or physical aid to fight his fish. Also, having EVA butt section helps reduce a damage caused by dropping rod on the ground.
Reel seat is made of durable plastic comes with single screw nut which secures the matching reel in place.
Why Echo Gecko?
There are other great junior fly rods. Reddington Minnow and Ross Journey are great choices. But it had to be Gecko. Why?
My 6 year old son (3' 11'' tall), tried 7'6'' 3wt, 9' 5wt, and 7'11 6wt.
3wt didn't give him enough feedback. When he does not receive enough feedback, he loosens his grips and begin loosing tight line.
9' length or 6wt line weight was too heavy. It helped him to keep his concentration, but it tired him out too soon.
He also came to fatigue with single-handed casting in 10 minutes time then switched to two-handed casting to carry on fishing.
So, it had to be 4 or 5wt in short rod with extended butt. Only Gecko has them all. If your child is older and has enough strength to cast single-handed, then you could have more selection.
Recommended Fly Line
I gave 5wt WF for the initial start up for my son to be able to feel more feedback which is important process to make him familiar with what he is doing. I will give him 4wt DT when he become able to cast further than 10m or so.
To help your kid visually confirm how cast is being done, I strongly recommend to choose bright colour such as orange.
Recommended Fly Reels
I’m currently matching it with my old Cabelas 567 reel made of plastic which is light enough to make the fine match. It is 123 grams including 5wt floating line with 20lb backing. 123 grams is 4.3 ounces by the way.
I’ve made this choice after making big mistake with Echo Solo 4/5 reel which weighs about 5 ounces that is nowhere close to make its user happy.
So, being “feather weight” is really important when choosing fly reel for kids.
I’d say, choosing reel below 4 ounces is the goal. And it has to take 4/5wt line.
- Redington Drift 3/4 (3.7 oz) or 5/6 (3.9 oz).
- Nautilus FW 3+ (4 oz).
- Waterworks LamsonVelocity 1.5 (4 oz), Lightspeed 1.5 (3.5 oz), and ULA Force 2SL (2.9 oz).
- Hardy Ultralite CC 3000 #3 (3.7 oz), Featherweight (3.5 oz)
To Be Updated
I think this trial with my son could help fly fishing parents' search for right choice, so I will revisit this article for updates.
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This is very nice gift for your son. Fishing is a great hobby and is a very good source of different experiences that would definitely exceed your son’s expectations.
Thanks for encouraging comment:)
Fishing is my family tradition and I hope I can show things as my father and his father.
Thanks for the post. I bought this rod for my five years old son too. Which reel would you use? Which reel weight is the best for the rod?
Nice posting! I bought this rod for my five year old son. Which reel would you use? Which reel weight balance the rod?
That’s really good point. I’m matching it with my old Cabelas 567 reel made of plastic was light enough to make the fine match. It is 120g including 5wt floating line with 20lb backing. 123g is 4.3oz by the way.
I’ve made this choice after making big mistake with Echo Solo 4/5 reel which weighs about 5oz that is way too heavy.
So, being “feather weight” is really important, for the practice of whisking long thing with actively stopping is already demanding exercise.
I’d say, choosing reel below 4oz is the goal. And it has to take 4/5wt line.
Waterworks Lamson’s Velocity 1.5 (4oz), Lightspeed 1.5 (3.5oz), and ULA Force 2SL (2.9oz).
Nautilus FW 3+ (4oz).
Hardy Ultralite CC 3000 #3 (3.7oz), Featherweight (3.5oz)
Saturday I bought an Abel Creek 2 Large Arbor (4,2 Oz.) for this rod. It was on offer. I think it is rugged and to my mind is this important for a kids reel. And my sun can buy many years spare parts. On weekend I take it on the rod. When it is to heavy, I will send it back.
Which DT line do you prefer? Which DT-size do you prefer?
Hi Andre
As for choosing the right flyline, this will depend on whether your son needs more “feedback” from what he is doing
or “delicacy” when he casts good enough which is further than 10m. That’s how taper is designed to make the difference, so I’d say
up to that point, it won’t make difference between WF or DT. Our sons need more “feedback” at current stage, so I’d say choose 5wt WF.
We need to constantly remind ourselves that our kids are not as tall as us or as heavily made as us.
Their 10m is like our 15-20m range. Considering their height and weight don’t spook fish as we do, that should give them enough to fish.