I can’t remember if I covered this before, but Alert Underground Reader Ron (who blogs endlessly about cycling gear here) alerted us to the existence of probably the Single Best Way To Activate Your Fly Rod’s Lifetime Warranty: The Bike Fishermen Rod Holder.
Faster than you can say "about my lifetime warranty..."
Frankly, nothing says “lifetime warranty” better than a fly rod – only inches away from the Spinning Spokes of Doom – sticking straight up into the air.
The Bike Fishermen folks even offer a “Fly Pole Adapter” which allows you to carry your fly rod (reel in place) in two pieces, as if nothing could go wrong when you’ve pointed two 4.5′ pieces of extremely fragile graphite straight up.
The whole Bike & Bug thing isn’t exactly new, but I humbly suggest I’d feel a lot safer riding my mountain bike up a twisted, tree-lined trail to that alpine lake if my fly rod was still in its protective tube instead of sticking straight up in the air.
There’d be little amusement in arriving at that pristine alpine lake, spotting dozens of fish casually sipping midges, and turning around in the saddle – only to find two splintered stumps where your $700 fly rod used to be.
And while I hope these folks don’t lose their shirt on this one, I’d suggest they retain the services of a copywriter, who presumably would have pointed out the dualistic nature of their slogan, which seems to suggest it’s better to break rods the modern way instead of the old fashioned way:
Break your rods the modern way?
As always, Undergrounder participation is encouraged – especially if anyone has created any cool “cast & roll fast” rigs the rest of us could see.
See you on the trail, Tom Chandler.
ha,,hahaha, ha ha ha
This is almost as good as the people who carry built rods on ATVs and wonder why 6 feet of rod hanging over in front of the machine is such a terrible idea.
Ill stick with getting my warranty the old fashioned way.
MaineFlyBoi(Quote)
Strapping a four-piece rod tube to a rear rack (pointing backwards) would probably work a lot better, though it’s possible the carrier might have some application for those who cruise up and down beaches (which have few trees) with assembled rods might find the things useful.
Tom Chandler(Quote)
I break a lot of stuff, I’m tuff on stuff and tuff on the causes of stuff, i thought it was because I do stupid reckless things. With a tool like that I could do a lot more damage in a lot less time.
SBW
suburban bushwacker(Quote)
So you view this as a productivity tool then?
Tom Chandler(Quote)
Hell yes. Think of all the time I’d save if other people broke their own stuff.
SBW
suburban bushwacker(Quote)
And then there’s saltwater! I love the beach buggies with the rods sticking up like a carpet fiber headdress. Unfortunately, you have to get to or leave the beach.
Maybe, I’ve redefined redundant.
JJP(Quote)
you know, being 15 and all without a car, i ride my bike miles upon miles each summer to go to local ponds and lakes around memphis to fly fish and bass fish…im sorry dude but this idea just doesnt register with me. you could easily get it caught on a branch or something. get a rod case from bass pro and carry it on your back. not only safer for your rods but safer for yourself. bikes can be dangerous. especially touring bikes like the one i have
matthew(Quote)
That’s exactly what I did from 12 to 16 – rode my bike everywhere. I was lucky enough to have a Fenwick travel baitcasting rod (one of the silver Daiwa reels), so I could carry it in my agonizingly stiff, hatchet-like backpack without sticking up too much.
It, uhh, builds character, but I admit that some of the 3:00 am departures were a bit on the dicey side…
Tom Chandler(Quote)
Yup, I grew up in the Poconos of PA. I rode my Schwinn everywhere. Delivered newspapers and took my gear to the creek in a Times-Leader/Wilkes-Barre Record newsboys sack. Now, they call them messenger bags. Ain’t timewarp fun!
I remember a few incidents with an army surplus backpack that were literally almost disarming.
JJP(Quote)