fishing gear

Hi!

I am new to backpacking. Using many forums and articles I selected and purchased most of the needed gear.

I am missing fishing rod. I have quite a few at home, but I need a small, telescopic rod. Is there a specific one that you guys can recommend?
Thanks!
greg

I personaly use a fly rod but you can do a search here. Go back a couple of years and you should get many options.

I've been looking at these. Very slick, but have not tried one yet.

http://www.emrod.com/index.cfm

-H

Mini Spin

Mini Cast


kurt

Go fast and light ultralight set

My husband and I were also looking for lightweight fishing rods and ended up ordering the Eagle Claw Pack-It rods from Troutlet.com. Just click on pack rods and they have several. We got the 5'6" spinning combo telescopic rods but they also have fly rods. Ours cost $20.40 each. We leave for the Sawtooths next weekend so we'll get a chance to try them out then. Good luck! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

thank you so much! I did not expect that many replies. Thanks again! I am actually going to be on the Utila Island in Honduras, this is where I am going to fish, I hope.
greg

Look on Cabela's website. They have all kinds of travel rods that break down into 4 or more pieces. They have everything from inexpensive kits to high end rods and reels.
Cabela's

Look under "travel rod" on their site or use that as a Google or Yahoo search term. There are many other sites that sell travel rods and sets, but Cabela's is one of the biggest retailers. Bass Pro Shop would be another large online retailer.

Read the reviews, if the site has them. The Daiwa kit I saw on the Bass Pro Shop site had really bad reviews, but the Cabela Pro Guide kit had some good reviews, so for something inexpensive, quality is going to be an issue.

I use an Ultra-light 4' 6" Okuma Ciello two-peice trout rod and a itty-bitty matching spinning reel. Never more than 4lb test. Some nice people here turned me on to florescent light tube covers for a rod case and it works great. I use tear-drop bobbers when working dry flies and a spit shot working wet flies. And the usual assortment of small spinners.

I've landed 3lb trout with this setup. I put a rubber band around the tube which provides the "traction" to strap it to my pack.

Your experience may be different, but those mini rods and reels from gofastandlight.com are worth what you pay for them. If you extend them out so they are tight enough to cast with, they tend to get stuck in that position. I had two of them do that to me. The reels tend to lose their line easily as well. My advice would be to go with something a little more conventional.

I have both a Berkley spin-fly 5 pc.fiberglass rod and a newer Cabela's carbon fiber 4 pc. telescoping UL spinning rod. I much prefer the telescoping rod for its fast setup, even curve W/ no flat spots and its sensitivity, not to mention its lighter weight.

Eric

Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention I use an ultralight spinning reel and 8 lb. test line.
The rod & reel stay together on a trip for fast deployment. They reside in a light ripstop nylon bag I made. It had sewn 1/2" wide on nylon loops to secure it to my pack W/Velcro loops.

Eric

I have both spin/bait fished as well as fly fished while bp. Nowadays I exclusively fly fish. I catch as many and usually more than before but it is my choice and you have to make your own. That being said just about any fly rod with an aluminum or graphite reel does not weigh that much and the same with any ultra light spin setup.If you want to save a few grams then lose the case. I have always taken a fishing rod with me if there is even a remote possiblity of a chance to fish.With the rare exception of a day hike with a 9' two piece rod, I never use a case more that the cloth bag the rod came in. My current standby is an 8 1/2 ft 5 wt 4 piece rod. I have never broken a rod while packing. I just strap it along side of the outside of the pack and take care not to drop the pack on it. For me fishing is a big part of my backpacking experience(not all) . I think whatever you are comfortable and have the best experience fishing with, you should take. Leave the saltwater tackle home. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Any extra lttle weight will be tolerated if you enjoy the fishing rather than not be able to fish the way you want because of inferior or second choice gear.
Good luck and tight lines