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.
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:
Hit a sale at H&H and built the rod for $75 including shipping. Made the rod bag as well.
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. 
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!