Like most fishers, I set up my rod at the car. But if there is a long walk through brush, bramble and multi-flora rose, before reaching the stream, consider this: leave the rod in the sock and set up stream-
side. Pocket the sock for the return trip.
Geting through the brush etc is tough enough without a rod in hand. The risk of breaking the rod is much higher already set up.
If you are exploring and may not come out where you went in, stuff the sock into a pocket for the return trip. If you find yourself in this position and don’t have the sock with you, disassemble the rod leaving the line on or tie the sections together. A slip and fall will then not be as apt to cause a broken rod or a lost section.
Anyone having a better idea, please post so I can use YOUR method. I know that leaving the rod in the tube is safer yet…but IMHO its too much of a pain in the butt. Long trips with a back pack etc. excepted.
Bill - I’ve got a couple of rod cases - one single - one double. On long walks (especially in brush) I find them less trouble than carrying the rod itself. Both have handles and the double has a shoulder strap.
I also have a double case with a shoulder strap. But, if I am moving on slippery or bushy terain, and I’m already set up, I walk with my rod backwards. It always seems to follow better than when it’s 7 feet in front of me.
[This message has been edited by mwebb (edited 01 November 2005).]
Keeping the rod in the case as long as possible is the best idea. That is why I like four piece rods the case is easier to carry. When walking through brush and bush I find walking with the strung up rod butt first over your shoulder with the tip pointing straight back is the safest method. If a branch grabs the rod or guide it should just pull the rod apart at the ferrules without breaking it.
That has been my experience.
Who has time for stress when there are fish to catch.
Nick
HydeHunter,mwebb,micropteris
Granted, rod case to the stream is safer than rod in sock but to me, carrying or keeping track of the empty case all day would be bothersome. I’d most likely loose the darn thing.
I am with Nick on this one. I always carry butt forward tip back. Have stomped through some pretty heavy brush and never broken a rod. They just pull apart.
When I went to a hike-in lake, I carried my rod in a case which has a shoulder strap. Pretty comfortable and it might have extended my life for a few seconds if I used it on the bear I saw near the parking spot.
Bill - there are a couple of places that I have hiked back in aways (3 miles +), here I have a back pack where I carry a few items, plus I carry one of my three piece rods in a case, strapped to the back-pack. Other than that, I’ve always managed to carry whatever rod, strung up and ready to fish.
It is very true there are many ways a rod can get damaged while being fondled by my hands. For instance, there’s the living room ceiling fan. And who can ever forget that sick feeling of instantly knowing that you have just slammed the car door on your favorite rod tip! Or maybe the tailgate? Ah, yes … the joys of owning a fly rod or two!
Two things: 1. Rod cases won’t prevent you from breaking a rod. I was stepping over a fence when an old wooden post, weathered and rotten, broke in half and catapulted me upside down and into the grass. I came down right on my rod case and heard something snap. Feeling no pain I figured it wasn’t me. Inside the case was the rod in three pieces. It was a two-piece rod. 2. A few weeks ago I transported my rod to a stream in a case, where I pulled the rod out and rigged up. After fishing for an hour or so I headed back to the car. Often when moving I’ll put the broken down rod in the back of the Explorer, which I did. A couple of days later I went to put the rod back in the case and realized it was missing. I’d left it at the stream an hour away from home. I drove back up but someone had mowed the access and my case was gone. Long story short: I’m screwed either way. JGW
[This message has been edited by white43 (edited 02 November 2005).]
… ummm, a machete?
Oh, Bill! It sounds like you may be speaking from recent experience! I’ve mentioned before, I’d rather forage in using a Forcast rod than a Sage. The probabilities of coming out with the same number of pieces as going in doesn’t fear me as much when there’s less on the line. (No that doesn’t mean I’ll sacrifice my Forcast rods. They’re really sweet). When we hike in, or out distances, in rough terrain, I’ll usually use a tube. The rods I use are all multipieced, so the tube is short and doesn’t get in the way when it’s strapped to my hip pack. (was going to say butt pack, but this is a classy site, and I need to use some decorum!)
Carrying a tube for my 6 wgt to the stream would mean having to lug the darn case around with me all day. And its 4 1/2 feet long! No, I think that I’ll stick to the old rod in sock method but I’m still open to better suggestions.
I have seen tip tops pulled off and other problems resulting from rods being carried butt first over around tnd through multi flora rose bushes etc.
Get stuck in one of those darn bushes and you’ll have one heck of a time getting out.
For those of you who have never experienced these good for nothing imports, they have thorns like great big fish hook barbs, about 2 to 4 to the inch, and all pointing toward the roots. Trying to get out of those things causes deep scratches and lines can be damaged too.
If you don’t have them, you’re very fortunate! You might try to slow them down if they head your way but eventually they’ll get ya!
If you are out fishing and you hear an awful scream followed by a tremendous roar and a string of profanity you’ll know I’m stuck in a bush within a mile or two of you so maybe we can meet for lunch if I ever get out.
I don’t know Bill…I’ve never … … …
No I’m not going to say it and jinx myself! Just careful what I walk thru. Sometimes I don’t string up and sometimes I do but I always use a 2 piece rod and always go rod but forward with the tips angled in behind me…
For some reason after reading your various posts I picture you looking like Henry Fonda in 'On Golden Pond." Am I close?
Well snipe - looks like you were doing it right all along.
We got rose. I watched a guy deer hunting fight his way through about a half-acre of the stuff. Just as he made it to the edge a branch that had been stuck on his stocking cap, catapulted the hat back into the patch about 10 yards. I won’t say what he said - but I’d guess that pretty orange hat is still there if anyone wants it. Nasty stuff.
Now ya see what I’ve been griping about? HydeHunter knows. That stuff is terrible and is worthy of an eradication program by the Army, Navy and Airforce as soon as they get things done over yonder!
In that stuff, we have all the enemy we will ever need for the next 50 years. A good tough enemy that knows how to fight back and tear things all to blazes. Hand to hand combat to be avoided… it the “Roses” winning every time!
It wasn’t around when I grew up…how the devil does one hunt grouse and bunnies now a days anyway.
Betty,
Nope, I “busted” only two flyrods in my life but I’ve had a war with the MFR.
Diane,
When is your operation? Wishin’ you the best and hope you’ll come to the mall to tie when you recover.
Gosh…Do you really think I look like Henry Fonda? Naw… can’t be I ain’t rich.
Snipe;
I know how you feel about rose, we’ve got lots of blackberry. Whent Grouse hunting with Rainbowchaser with my sleaves rolled up. Came out looking like I had part time job sortin’ tomcats!!
To Stay with the thread. I carry my rod butt forward.
I feel more like I do now than I did when I got here!
Yeah Jack you lost so much blood as I recall that we had to go to a tavern and get you rehydrated. I’ve never broken a rod blank walking to and from the stream but have had to replace a guide that got pulled crooked while stumbling around in the dark.
all leaders tangle; mine are just better at it than most. Jim
Hiking to a fishing spot is not usually the problem, its when your fishing and see a spot 100 yards down stream that looks better. So you hike down stream with your rod setup ready to cast. That is where you will bust your rod. Its trying to short cut the rod knockdown/setup time that will get you in the end.
If you want to bust a rod tip real fast try hiking through brush with a lined up 14ft spey… FB.
yep! we’ve got the roses in So. MO, and in South Dakota, the roses, thistle, and willow … all fun to try to get through! the shorter the rod (or pieces) the easier it is.
Snipe … ya want me to build you a 5 piece 866?
