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*Please note this product may no longer be available to purchase on our website* Here at Vail Valley Anglers, we take pride in our ability to teach almost any client the art and joy of fly fishing. Over the years, I have been fortunate enough to witness and take part in successful angling experiences with a huge variety of fishermen. Some customers however, are harder to teach than others and small kids can be especially challenging to work with. Most of the time, the biggest obstacle for young fishermen is simply their small size. Kids have a much more difficult time being successful in a sport where so much is accomplished with leverage and extension. Even though they understand the concepts quickly, most kids simply do not have the size or strength to fish easily with adult sized rods and reels. The Ross Journey Fly Fishing Outfit makes things like casting, mending, and fighting fish a lot easier for little fishermen, which leads to a better experience at the end of the day. Smaller Handle I was seven years old when my dad put my first fly rod under the Christmas tree. I knew fly fishing was supposed to be hard, but I had no idea how tough it would be to master the use of the fly rod. Even though the rod itself was shorter and softer than the typical nine foot five weight rods adult trout fishermen use, the handle was the same size. Gripping the rod was tiring, and made it hard to cast and mend. It was especially hard to hold on to while fighting a fish. Imagine fishing all day using a normal fly rod with an extra thick handle. It would be cumbersome to say the least. The Ross Journey Outfit comes with a test fitted junior grip that totally solves this problem, allowing kids to better control the rod throughout all of the important steps in fly fishing. Softer Rod for Better Feel The Ross Journey Outfits come in a four weight size that allows kids to more easily feel the rod work. The softer touch means a more responsive rod. This is important for learning how to load the rod while casting. It is also a huge advantage for youngsters who are learning how much pressure to apply to a fighting trout. A softer rod is more forgiving during the fight, leaving more room for error. When a younger angler pulls too hard the rod bends further and the fish stays connected. The Price is Right Anyone with kids will tell you that they grow up fast and they are tough on equipment. If the Ross Journey Fly Fishing Outfit was expensive, I would not recommend it, but at less than $140, including backing, line, leader, and case, it is an extremely affordable introductory fly fishing setup. You can not find a better outfit designed specifically for kids at a cheaper price. I have had a few of my clients show up with these outfits for fishing trips and at first I was a little skeptical. It did not take long for me to change my mind and really see how beneficial these setups were to the kids using them. If you plan on taking your little ones fly fishing often, there is no reason not to give them the extra advantage of a setup designed just for them. It will ensure a more successful and enjoyable outing for everyone. The return on your small investment will be more than worth it in the end. Andy “Otter” Smith, Guide and Content Writer