To: Rambler, Ben, whoever
From: PS
Re: Rod for my cousin

My cousin Collin got started in August ad really likes it. His father wants to know what kind of set-up to get the boy, who is 17 and well over six feet and thus out of the "junior" category.

It's been a while since I thought about beginners rods. He'll be an intermediate pretty quickly.

Also his father is not going to want to spend much over $300.

I am thinking for general trout purposes an 8.5 foot five weight is about as middle of the pack as you can get. Anything longer will be awkward on smaller rivers; anything lighter will let out fishing for largemouth in the lake; anything heavier would be beside the point. He'll be using this either from a canoe or on medium-to-large rivers, likely with me.

Orvis has a decent-looking outfit in the Streamline series. I have a few of their Clearwater rods from eight-10 years ago and like them. Bean has something similar which isn't available until January, which messes up Christmas. I have no experience with other inexpensive brands like Remington.

Any ideas?

I've handled a Temple Fork Lefty Kreh II, 8.5 5wt, and thought it was terrific for about $150.

just looked it up - actually $120. It's a 2 piece, don't know if that's a problem. one of my pals let me cast his, and it's a very smooth, moderate flex type of rod, feels like the older orvis rods, the ones with the unsanded finish.

I have an older Imperial model from St croix- actually a 8'6" 5 wt. I think you are right on with this estimate for your cousin, It has served me well for many years. They have a new (er) version of imperial out here http://www.stcroixrods.com/product/imperial-fly
I like mine because it has a nice fast action in spite of its 4 piece construction. Looks like they're about $220 direct, not bad for a USA made all purpose trout/bass/panfish stick, especially if he gets a decade of use out of it.

If something happened to mine I would buy the exact same model in a flash.