More Stylish Tubes for Your Travel Rods
I’ve already written more than I ever thought possible not only about multi-piece fishing rods, but also about how to get them from Point A to Point Z. Whether you’re backpacking, flying, driving or riding a mule, if you arrive at your fishing destination with broken sticks it can be an absolute disaster.
For most of us, a standard, non-descript, one-color tube or case will suffice, but if you like a little bit of style in your carrying mechanism – and you’re willing to spend a few extra dollars – there are higher-end options available. I’ve outlined some of them previously (as well as how to store them), but in case you’re still looking, here are some others.
Arizona’s Scaly Designs makes a variety of hand-painted products, including Yeti tumblers and water bottles, but it was the panted rod tubes that first caught my attention – standard patterns include German Brown, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Tiger Trout, Golden Trout, Cutthroat Trout and Carp, for $149-189.
Scaly can also handle custom orders (“If you can dream it, I can paint it”), including college logos. The baggage handlers will have to tell you if a Wu-Tang tube is forever (but it definitely ain’t nuthing ta f’ with)
Douglas Fishing, a brand that I’ve become aware of because they are pushing their way into the bass side of things, sells Scaly’s designs, including this steelhead replica.
South Africa’s Riverman Leather Products makes a gorgeous cow leather, buffalo or canvas-covered rod tube that sells for less than a hundred bucks.
Spey Brothers in Scandinvania sells a deerskin-wrapped hard tube that is slightly longer than many others — 39.25” or 49”, which they claim will hold three four-piece 13’ and 15’ rods, respectively.
Here’s another great option from Norwegian carpenter Eugen Vegger painted in a bonefish pattern.
And another with a refined trout look.
The production lineup at Blue Halo Gear, a manufacturer of “the finest fiberglass fly rods available on the planet,” includes two sizes of a two-toned tube.
Like Scaly Designs, Blue Halo also offers musically-inspired designs in their rods and tubes, whether you like things heavy
Or a little more mellow.
I continue to be amazed at the creativity and craftsmanship in the fishing industry generally, and in the travel rod segment in particular. I’m finding that it extends not only to the tubes and other accessories, but to the rods themselves. More travel with them, and more testing, is on the way.
