TFO Bug Launcher Kids' Rods

Temple Fork Outfitters took a page out of Echo Fly Rods‘ book from last year, introducing a new lineup of kids’ rods called the “Bug Launcher” series. Available in a seven foot four/five weight and an eight foot five/six weight, these rods retail for only $80 and sport small, composite grips (meant for young hands).
The thing is, these rods really don’t need to be classified as just a children’s rod. Unlike Echo’s Gecko kids’ rods, which are great but intentionally child-like in their design, using multi-colored foam grips, yellow blanks, and with a fighting butt (for really small kids to get a second hand grip on the rod), the new TFO Bug Launchers are more appropriately knocked-down adult rods. They are also well-named; the 7′ 4/5 weight is capable of eighty foot casts and is a suprisingly fine roll-casting rod.
I could see a parent buying an Echo Gecko for a truly young child, say 5-8 years old. Then, when the kid gets old enough to handle a fly rod with one hand, and maybe progresses past the bluegill pond, he or she could move up to a Bug Launcher (which frankly would serve mom or dad perfectly well as a light traveling backup rod). Either way, it’s nice to see two cost-sensitive options for getting kids fishing, which as we all know is more critical than ever.
Have you taken a kid fishing lately? Let us know in the Comments section!