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hey folks,
I'm going to be doing some backpacking out in Colorado later this summer and am thinking about investing in a 7 piece backpacking rig. Has anyone had any experience doing this? Any suggestions on what to get, things to consider or avoid?
Thanks!
Jim
The ultimate back pack rod.
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...er/lami002.jpg
A 9 piece 6' Lamiglas 3 wt. Packs to just over a foot.
A true 3 wt, you can put it in your shirt pocket.
I won the blank some years ago here in the FAOL drawing.
would you number the pieces on something like that? I thik I would be really frustrated by the time I had it put together.
Its easy to tell which piece goes where because they are different diameters. But as you say a rod of that many pieces takes longer than I like to put togethers.
I have enough trouble getting 4 pieces lined up (both meanings :lol: )
Kirk
i would say anything from a 4 piece toa 9 piece would work
depends on also what rod weith you need
The Hardy Smuggler is a classic.
I have two....a six piece 7 ft 4 wt and an eight piece 9 1/2 ft 7 wt.
both perform wonderfully.
I see that Hardy makes a their Angel in a Smuggler configuration.
That may well be my next graphite rod.
These rods are pricey, but well worth it.
Best,
Black Gnat
Check out the Elkhorn Traveler Series (FAOL Sponsor). They're located in Loveland, CO. I'm very impressed with their rods, but I don't have a Traveler.
I'd pair it with an Okuma Airframe reel (think they just renamed it) for backpacking. This lightweight, high-impact, composite plastic reel is a solid performer with a reliable drag and is virtually indestructible. And they're about $40.
From the "build it yourself" department, I offer the Forecast 9'-0" 4wt 7-piece:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ds/Rod6-03.jpg
Hit a sale at H&H and built the rod for $75 including shipping. Made the rod bag as well.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ds/Rod6-06.jpg
This has proved to be a dandy rod. Took it to Florida and it fit in my carry-on bag, and I use it around here for bass and gills because it can be tossed in the truck and takes up little space.
Joe
Hey Joe - that is seriously nice work, well done mate.
Best I could do for a traveller was a cabelas five piece stowaway, not bad, but not great either. I figured I didn't want a high value rod for "backpacking" though.
Joe,
That rod is very nice! I like the rod bag also!
Doug
Dammit I love that bag!!!!
I have an Orvis frequent flyer 7 pcs, 5wt, 9ft that I love. It's a fast action, and allows you to fish a wide spectrum of waters, lakes, big, medium and small rivers. It cast a bass fly as well as a 3 nymph flies or a small dry fly. I love it!! It packs at the side of the backpack, I put in the hood, the reel, a single small or medium size fly box, tippets, floatant and clippers and I ready to go. :D
Martin
HEY FOLKS - thanks for all the great suggestions!
There are so many options it's hard to know where to start so you've provided some very valuable insight!
I just got a gift certificate for father's day so I have some added incentive to go out and get one before I strap the backpack on and head for the hills.
Thanks for all your help and tight lines to you all!!!
I fish the high country quite a bit here in the NW. Rod I take most of the time is a Maryatt Packer, 4pc, 5wt. IMHO 4 or 5pcs. is sufficient for day and backpacking.
Hey Snow - thanks for the note back.
I have always thought that I needed a 7-pc, and it seems that some of the posters here have had great success with them too. Do you think a 4 piece is small/short enough? I guess it would only be about 2 feet long which is easy enough to strap onto the side or back of the pack.
I've had my backpacker guitar strapped onto my backpack quite a bit and have to believe that's going to be bigger than the flyrod case, especially if I go with something 8' or less which will probably be the case with some of the high mountain streams.
Thanks for the suggestion - I think I have a new idea of what to get!
Jim
Jim,
There are so many options! You should figger out what packing size you want, what weight and length rod, action, etc and go from there. Bet you won't just find one or two that fit your criteria! Good luck and enjoy!
Marty
Jim:
Just recently someone was raving about the Cabelas Stowaway series. I found a link here
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ ... id=0029773
Looks like they have several rod/reel combos that break down to 15" to 23" long AND include a rod soft case. For actual backpacking you may want to make a solid rod case from a piece of PVC pipe and 2 PVC caps. Only glue on one end and just slide on the other. That would really protect the rod in your pack.
So where ya going backpacking?
Greg
I have used a 8' four piece strapped to the outside of my pack. It worked well. I now have a Hardy Smuggler that easily fits inside even a day pack. The Hardy is a little heavier, due its tube, however. I might try to make a PVC tube to lighten it up.
Cabelas Stowaway 7 peces!
You'll be fine with a four piece (although nothing against a 7pc). It would also depend on the type of pack that your carrying (I would be more prone to a 7pc with an external frame since you already will have stuff hanging off it).
You can't get much lighter than 9/10's of the reels already in production. You figure the wt of the line and backing is standard for the rod wt you will be carrying...so since most reels already weight in at 5oz...if you get what I'm saying.
One big way to cut down on the overall wt is to get an aluminum tube. Take the tube, jam it into some Styrofoam bend it until the foam breaks, then clean the piece up and tape it to the bottom. Take a piece of t shirt and sew a rubber band into it to form a cloth cap. Then use a sock (that you are already bringing) or something to pad the top. You can get aluminum tubes on eBay in most sizes for about 12 dollars shipped. This will make a handful of tubes also. Just don't bring the tube in your carryon. I'm pretty sure its not allowed (the tube part at least).
The Cabelas Stowaway comes with a Hard Rod tube AND a Hard Rod/Reel case.
Small enough for carry-on luggage or back pack.
I have both the 4wt & 8wt in 5 pce.
The 7 pce would be shorter.
The combo is a good deal ( reel is good enough in the lower weights )
Good Med. Fast action rod.
My $.02
DuFf
Great topic. I'm in the market for a pack rod too. I ordered one from a builder but he didn't hold up to his end of the deal so I canceled and was gonna go with the Stowaway, then decided to just build my own and save some money. Anyone know where you can get the 7pc Forecast blanks? I don't think they make them anymore but am guessing someone somewhere has a few for sale.
They have 4/5/&6wt's at Hook and Hackle - thats about the only place that I've seen them. www.hookhack.com
Thanks! The smallest they sell though is the 5pc. Maybe that's what I'll go with if I can't find the 7pc anywhere
Not trying to be argumentative or anything...but I think they still have at least the 5wts in 7pc (according to their recent flyer).
I'm also seeing them here http://www.mailordercentral.com/hookhac ... ?dept=116, and under the forcast kits page...
These could certainly be sold out, and I have no idea...but I would call over there to double check. It seems like these are maybe going out of production?
They also pop up on ebay pretty frequently in the 7pc. There is actually a 4wt on right now...
Best of luck tracking one down...I'm starting to think that I should do the same since they seem to be tough to find.
Whoops! I wasn't looking at their kits page. Thanks again!
I was looking at that rod from cabela's (Cabela's Stowaway? 5-Piece Travel Fly Rod ) how do you like it? I was also looking at that one from St. Croix, Legend Ultra? Series 9' 5wt. 5pc.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gringo
Bud
The Stowaway is a reasonable rod for the price, I think it was good value. The reel works better than I expected, the line etc is OK and the outfit casts alright, but it is nothing like a hight end outfit. I bought it for backpacking and knocking around, and leaving in my car for that unexpected opportunity to fish. I am happy with it for that purpose but won't be saying it is as good as my sage or loomis! You can't make a basic 5-7 piece rod cast brilliantly in my opinion.
I have only seen one St Croix and that was a Legend Ultra #2 in 4 piece I had, which was just magnificent. it is in an entirely different class to the Cabelas, and would not even begin to compare. I'm not sure what the action would be like in the #5, it would be hard to compare with my #2, just apples and oranges. The #2 was a little slow (which was nice) but I hear the #5 is a fast stick.
Just finished building a St. Croix Legend Ultra 5wt 4 piece and love it casts great .. can't wait to get it out on the water this weekend.
Tom
HMMmmmmmmmmmm! that $370.00 is starting to burn
I ordered the other day and should get here today or tomorrow the Travelers rod and T1 reel from Elkhorn (thanks to this thread). I got the 6' 3pc, which will break down to about 24", which is OK. The 2wt will be ideal for the mountain trout streams near me. Great Thread.
Yeah great thread!
Got parts for a 9' 7pc 4wt on the way. After I ordered I thought to myself. "Once I build this I shouldn't need anymore rods." I've got 2-4wts, a 6wt, an 8wt and a saltwater friendly 10wt. Now I think I'm gonna need to order another "pack rod" in about a 6wt or 7wt in case the 7pc 4wt doesn't have enough muscle. Does it ever end? :D
I just got my rod a few minutes ago. Oh My God what a nice little rod it is. I wasn't sure how thick it was going to be as a 6ft (3pc) but it is like a hedge switch. The case it came in is awesome.
Elkhorn has my respect by just looking at it... I screwed up by thinking too long on what real to get.. it may be here tomorrow. So, I'll be all set soon to hit the Jemez Mountains next week with a fly rod & reel instead of a spinning rig. No Joke, I'm as happy as a flea on a rug.
I usually carry a Redington Wayfarer 5pc in a four or five weight or a Cabela's Stowaway 5pc five weight on my motorcycle. I have a number of good travel rods but I seem to grab these most of the time.
Gotta roll with Malevo .
I have an Orvis traveler and its a very nice rod.
Took a motorcycle trip to Colorado and it fit on my bike very well (not a lot of space to be had on a bike).
Once again(Im not very good with descriptions on rods) Nice rod.
I'll hang onto that rod too.
It's here, It's here.
Just got my St. Croix, Legend Ultra? Series 9' 5wt. 5pc from Cabela's today :D :D :D I teamed it up with an Orvis Battenkill 5/6 I had and it balanced out perfectly. Taking the rest of the day off to play :D ..........
Bud