Michael Salomone/Courtesy photo
Building off last week’s column about rod protection during transportation, we now shift our focus to rods specifically designed for the traveling fly fisher. The selection of quality fly rods capable of fitting into compact spaces make up a small fraction of the total rods offered in fly shops. But for the fly fishers who spend time on the road or in airports, travel rods attract attention. Vail Valley Anglers supplies fly fishers who travel with the best selection of hassle-free, compact carry and reliable performance travel fly rods.
Similar to rod protection, traveling fly rods are purposefully designed. Whether the destination is a freshwater target, a once-in-a-lifetime saltwater excursion or a fly rod that is always ready, multi-piece travel rods have risen to the pinnacle of performance.
Unlike the cumbersome, heavy, multiple-piece fly rods of the past, modern materials and space age resins have leveled the playing field in terms of performance. Rod makers have mastered the art of matching sections together with strength and while still adhering to proper performance dynamics. Casting strokes are unaffected by the rod construction.
The convenience that comes from a rod that can fit into your shoulder bag and still deliver high-quality performance is an asset for fly fishers who enjoy new water wherever travels may take them. Hassles from TSA agents in airports often seem based on how their day is going and how polite you can be. Rushed or rude travelers can guarantee some extra time passing through security lines. Rod tubes that are excessively long will attract undesirable attention from ticket agents and in boarding lines. Don’t let your fly rod be the reason someone gives you a hassle.
When it comes to choices for travel fly rods, the price point varies. Multiple pieces, meaning more than four, starts to touch on the amount of attention necessary to construct a castable travel flyrod. Each piece requires precise alignment to form a functioning tool that can handle the rigors of double haul casting and 20-inch trout. The machining involved in each piece increases costs but also locks sections together securely.
Support Local Journalism
Modern fly rod construction employs space age resins and indestructible fibers unlike the thick ferrules, heavy epoxies and clunky materials that used to result in lost feeling and flex. Travel rods have morphed into pleasurable casting platforms that fish well, too.
Vail Valley Anglers sells a wide variety of travel rods. The prices range from affordable to extravagant. The Orvis Clearwater series offers affordable 5, 6 and 8-weight rods in a six-piece travel package. The Clearwater series is a well-proven class of fly rods that withstand abuse and perform above their ticket price. There’s the 5-weight for trout fishing, 6-weight for streamers or bass fishing and the 8-weight, which is capable of handling a wide variety of fly-fishing approaches in freshwater or saltwater.
Echo fly fishing makes an economically affordable eight-piece Trip rod. The sections are 15 inches in length and form a 9-foot long rod in 5, 6 or 8-weight. This is compact enough to fit into a briefcase and convenient enough to travel anywhere. Having a rod that is prepared for any opportunity that arises is a good thing.
Scott has long been favored by elite fly fishers. The Scott fly rod lineup is broad and performs flawlessly. The Scott F series of high-performance fiberglass rods delivers a compact four-piece design. Available through Vail Valley Anglers, the 3-weight rod is barely over 7 feet long, resulting in very short sections. The 50th Anniversary edition Scott F series 3-weight demands a slower casting stroke. The flexible rod excels with dry flies, making this a go-to rod for many anglers.
Winston has long been hailed as one of the most desirable premium fly rods to be found. The attention to detail and proven casting performance places the Winston Air2 on the top of the list for five-piece travel rods. Available in 4, 5 and 6-weight rods, the Winston rods are as good as they get.
Traveling with fly rods allows fly fishers to extend their angling experiences into foreign waters. Cumbersome rods too long for hasslefree travel are regularly left at home. A convenient, compact travel rod is the key to enjoying fly-fishing adventures outside your home waters.
