How do I take a fly rod backpacking

I used my Christmas money this year to buy the gear to assemble an Ultralight (<10lbs base weight) backpacking system. It's almost all homemade, and I'm finished putting it all together save one last item, a homemade bivy sack. I plan to start that this weekend.

What I want to do is combine two passtimes by fly-fishing while hiking. This will mostly be in the small confined mountain streams of the East, but occasional trips to the West are not out of the question. In keeping with the UL mindset, and the budget conscious mindset, I'd like to take a minimalist fishing setup. For now*, this would include my 8' 4wt 2pc. rod, a half dozen or so flies, a small spool of extra tippet or an extra knotless leader, and a small multi-tool with a knife, pliers, and scissors (this will also be my only knife for the other backpacking functions).

My biggest question is how to carry my somewhat unweildy 2 pc. rod. I have a rod tube with a shoulder strap, but that tube weighs about 2 lbs empty, and totally violates the principles of UL hiking. On the other hand, just lashing two flimsy 4' long rod segments to my pack is a good way to break a rod tip. Does anyone have suggestions for how to safely carry such a rod?

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* - I secretly know the right answer, and it's the answer to nearly every question on any internet forum: MORE GEAR! While a "pack rod" that breaks down into 5, 6, or 7 pieces, or better yet, a Tenakara rod, are great solutions, neither one is likely to be within this year's gear budget. Tenkara makes a lot of sense to me for the small mountain streams, but I'm looking for a way to go out with my existing gear until the time comes when I can buy a new rod.

I'm kinda in the same boat; planning a 6-day hike to the Chinese Wall in MT. One idea was to use a fluorescent lamp guard from Home Depot; light (even with the end caps and cheap.

Regards,
Scott

I recently posted a comment in favor of 2 pc, versus 4 pc rods. I still favor them over 4 pc rods, except for travel when their use is restricted, and backpacking, obviously.

Although I don't carry a 2 pc rod while backpacking, and haven't given it a lot of thought, could you make a suitable hiking staff that would carry the rod inside it?

Start putting your spare change in a large jar and go with one of these or do the cheap PVC pipe:

http://www.landmarkflyrodtubes.com/Tubes/aluminum.htm

I don't know anyone, who is a serious Fly Fishing Trekker, that does not use a rod tube while hiking in the Sierras...one major fall and a busted rod results...

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...psee2ac062.jpg

Those mountains are not real forgiving...;)


PT/TB

When I go hiking to a backcountry lake I use a metal rod case that I have attached a tennis ball to the end. The ball cushions the case on contact with the ground and rocks along the trail. To attach the ball I cut an x-shaped cut about the size of the end of the case then work it onto the end.
When you become "more mature" (older and your knees are not that good) the case as a hiking stick works well. At least that is my story and I am sticking to it.
Dick

Well, since you are committed to the 2 piece, as others have said a 4 piece is much easier for backpacking, here's a way to carry it fairly safely while hardly adding any weight. Get some pvc piping. This information was taken directly off of the pipe:
"Charlotte Pipe, True Fit System, 16012 - 1-1/4", PVC 1120, SDR 26PR, 160 PSI, 23* C, UP Code, ASTM D 2241, CP 112P"
The inside diameter is 1-1/4 inch which is large enough for that fly rod. Cut the piping to length and buy 2 caps to fit over the ends. The caps should fit tightly and you can glue one while just twisting the other on and off as needed. Very inexpensive, excellent protection for the rod, can serve as a hiking stick, and comes in handy for other purposes.

Allan

I would add to Allans reply ... paint part of the tube a bright fluorescent orange, so that if (or when) it gets dropped, you can easily see it. Keep the rod in a soft rod sock, and consider putting a round of inch thick foam in the ends of the tube (in the caps) to protect it from jostling.

How about going "native" and really light weight ? Take a rolled up section of flyline with leader attached, a box of flies, nippers,floatant ,whatever small accesories you like and when you arrive at the mountain fishing spot cut a 10-13 foot Willow that is suitably tapered, attach said flyline and fly and wala' inatant Tenkara ! Just a thought !

If you are concerned about saving ounces then you simply must assume some level of risk. If you want total protection for your rod, then you must sacrifice some of your ultralight philosophy.

If you are really committed to the "ultralight" hiking thing, then you will have to accept the risk of carrying your rod as-is, or at the most putting it in a fabric rod sleeve of some kind. I use electrical-harness woven sleeving for many of my rods- not for the same philosophy as you, but it protects the rods and weighs almost nothing. Or, hell, just carry your rod with you. I can't imagine how many miles I've walked carrying a fishing rod in my lifetime.

When I was a teenager I would lash my 8.5' 2 pc. Eagle Claw rod naked to my external frame pack. It was awkward, but I never broke it. Of course it was a $20 rod. Next up was a 4 piece rod and I found a lightweight plastic tube that I cut down to length. Now it's an 8 pc. rod in a metal tube. It's a little heavy but super easy to pack.

I know you are not interested in a new rod right now but you might start reading about Tenkara fishing. While I still prefer a western style rod and reel, Tenkara rods fit well with ultralight backpacking (particularly for small streams) because no reel is involved - just a rod, a bit of line and tippet, and a few flies. The rods are about 18" collapsed and very light weight. The whole outfit runs about 3 to 4 oz and under $200.
David

if you aren't married to the fly rod, you can get a cheapo collapsible spining rod and tenkara that puppy, or put your fly reel on it. or just fish the Fly-and-bubble method. those rods usually run around $20 or less.

watch garage sales and craigslist. I bought a 5 piece Redington at a yard sale for $20. it had a broken butt cap, but for $37 including replacement fee and postage for a total of $57 I had a packable rod.

Hi
Bass Pro shops offers the cordura covered rod tubes that have carrying straps/handles for reasonable prices...about mid $20's. I believe they would be lighter than PVC tubes. Some are available to leave reel attached with a little room for a small fly box. Cabelas also offers the cordura tubes but I believe they cost more than BPS.
You might find an eagle claw rod or another brand of about 6 or 7 ft at walmart. I realize you want to avoid more gear purchases but you may encounter unrepairable damages to your good gear and if that matters, check out some cheap but useable gear at Walmart.
I think at one time Daiwa offered a very compact 7 piece spinning rod and reel combo. My boys each took one to prep school with them.

I bought a 7 piece rod to take hiking . . . For a more inexpensive version, years ago, I bought a cheap spin/fly rod at Walmart for about $20. It would be fine for something like this as well. I have seen people using a thin pvc pipe carrying a rod as a walking stick. I have seen rod tubes strapped to the outside of backpacks, both 2 and 4 piece. I like the 7 piece as I can put the rod tube in my Camelback and off we go. It was worth the investment even though I don't use it much.

In his book "Flyfishing the Mountain Lakes", Gary LaFontaine deals extensively with flyfishing and backpacking. Gary used 2 pc rods in aluminum tubes which he used as walking sticks. The book is highly recommended.

Chris@tenkarabum sells a Chinese fiberglass tenkara type rod. It sells for $32 plus $6 shipping. It's only 6' 10" and collapses to 15". I bought it to fish for stocker bows in Texas.

Bob
:D

I have backpacked with a rod many times. Get a sock and attach it to the side of your pack at the bottom. ( A longer sock will help). With the rod in its Cloth case drop the end in the sock. Use a piece of double sided velcro to attatch the upper part of the rod to the side of the pack near the top. Be careful of what you walk under. I have ever broken a rod with this method

xfishcop-
Same method works well walking into and out of the Grand Canyon......

Here is an alternative, get a piece of one inch PVC. Put a cane rubber tip on one end. Put a threaded lid on the top. Put the rod pieces in it and leave your walking stick/poles behind.

You should be able to use the pole holder as your tent/tarp pole.

REALLY like to see some photos of your ultralight hike/camp setup! Is the bivy sack done yet?

As for the fishing here are some options for you to consider:

Some rod case walking staffs: http://jasonklass.blogspot.com/2011/...ing-staff.html
http://www.spokesman.com/photos/2013/apr/06/202561/
http://fiberglassflyrodders.com/foru...hp?f=8&t=41180


4-piece rod reel combo for $45: http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabel...h-All+Products

Eagle Claw Spin/Fly pack rod $17.53: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Eagle-Claw...ingMethod=p13n

4 0r 6 piece Eagle Claw pack rod $57: http://www.fishusa.com/product/Eagle...FYhcMgodCj0AGg


Good luck!

Wow, looks like I struck a chord with this one! Thanks for the responses, keep them coming. I love the picture of the Sierras.

Right now I'm leaning toward using the rod sock and securing it to the back of the pack, possibly using a sock like 'oldster' suggests. On the trail, this will be fine. The challenge will be when I leave the trail and start crawling through the undergrowth, but that will likely only be for fishing excursions, so I might as well hold the rod during those times, as I've done before when not backpacking. I've never really understood the need for a trekking pole, maybe because I'm still young, but since I'll be using a tarp, the use of a pole does have an appeal since it could also serve as a tarp support if I ever hgave trouble finding a place with a convenient tree.

Due to my busy homelife (5 kids with the oldest turning 9 on Feb 1, and a pregnant wife), I expect that most of my trips will be short, like only one or two nights. Since the Blue Ridge is practically in my backyard, I'd like to use available weekends to visit several streams on one trip, with an overnight, before returning to the car. Although none of my kids are quite fly-fishing yet, one or two of them are probably old enough to join me for a short trip in the woods. If I decide I like it, longer trips with more hiking miles are also likely in my future. To start out, I will likely spend a few nights on my own property to see how it goes and allow me to skip the meal-planning while I get things dialed-in. Here's a picture of my backyard.

Attachment 12546

Due to popular request, I will have to post some pictures of my setup. For now, here's a list of my "big three" (sleeping, shelter, and pack).

Sleeping:
Ray Jardine Quilt, Alpine (~30F) insulation
Thermarest NeoAir Xlite Women's air pad (I'm small; this is my only premium store bought piece of gear, and relatively heavy at 11oz.)
I've also considered lighter options for a sleeping pad, and may try using some "Low-E" building insulation, perhaps two layers. It's 1/4" closed-cell foam with aluminum foil on both sides. Provides radiant insulation and two layers would be 1/2" of padding. If taken, Low-E would be cut to size to use as a frame for the backpack.

Shelter:
Tyvek homewrap 9'x6' with 10 adhesive grommets, one at each corner, and every 3 feet along the sides
tyvek 1443R bivy sack, seams with Tyvek tape (made using plans from BackpackingLight.com, PM me for a link if interested, not finished; 1443R is what the Tyvek suits are made from)

Pack:
Glenn Van Peski G4 (materials and pattern bought from Quest Outfitters)

I also have a 3.9 oz. propane/butane stove that works on the canisters sold at sporting goods stores.

Being one that has spent a few nights in the Blue ridge under very good and adverse conditions..
I have 3 suggestions, 1) never carry your rod when hiking, when, not if, you stumble your first instinks will be of cousre to break your fall with your hands, at the same times slamming your rod against whatever is on the way down or the growned itself.. 2) If you do attatch your 2 piece rod to the out side of your back pack ( thats what I do) make sure it does not exstend below the bottom of your back pack, have it high enogh so when you sit down or sit your pack down the bottom of the rod wont hit the ground, ( a slide down a steep slope by accident aint alot of fun lol and your rod will be ok. 3) I really learned this in the Military but after what Iv seen when on the trail, I am very strict about this one. I never sleep out there with out a shelter that will not seal, it has to zip up all the way. I dont want anything crawling in or around my sleeeping area when I am or am not asleep... :0 All that said, Its Awesome to be outthere!!!! :-)

There is nothing worse than backpacking to a remote spot where you can fish and have only a broken rod to fish with. A graphite rod of an length strapped to the outside of of a pack can be broken very easily. A graphite rod should be carried in a tube. If you want to save the weight and strap the rod on the outside of your pack, you will have better luck with a fiberglass rod. The 6' 6" Eagle Claw road is cheap and tough. Check it out. http://thefiberglassmanifesto.blogspot.com/p/store.html

Grubb, those are some good tips. I have lost my footing many times, especially when I'm tired, and anything in my hands is susceptible to damage. I like the idea of keeping the rod above the bottom of the pack as well, although sliding down a mountain on my backside isn't my typical downhill mode of transport :D.

Here are some pictures of my now-finished kit. Well, I guess I do still need to figure out a pillow. All of the big three (sleeping, shelter, and pack) should be a little under 5 pounds, although I haven't weighed it. The picture of the backpack is with the tarp, bivy, quilt, and air pad all inside. The folded tarp is what you see in the front pocket.

Attachment 12560Attachment 12561Attachment 12562

A broken rod is what I'm trying to avoid with this thread, although there will always be some risk. Perhaps the most dangerous time will be when I'm actually fishing: balanced on two unstable rocks, trying to cast to a pool that I can only partially see, while avoiding overhanging limbs in all directions.