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?
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.
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?
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…
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.
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.
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
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.
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