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