[Prometheus]

A little OT; what's the longest spey rod that can fit inside a Chevy Suburban?

Specifically inside from the rear door to the windshield as opposed to on top... Later model; 2011 and newer.

Just trying to pick out my next vehicle and want to know if I should cross it off the list or do some more research.

Thanks

 

[Rifflehitch]

12' in my 98

 

[Nate Bailey]

Good Stuff Steve, having a good time is at the top of my list also! that of course means fish right and hard, but fun!

 

[gt05254]

Just a thought if you're looking at different vehicles: I can fit 14 footers fully assembled in my F-150 by opening the cap and cab windows:





Gary

 

[Heero]

Have had 13'ers in one no prob.

 

[Rick J]

jut saying - it takes little more than 30 seconds to break a rod down and wrap with velcro straps - probably safer than having them strung and laying on things.

Had a friend make a rod rack in a suburban once - we wanted to be organized so we also hung our vests from it - that is when it collapsed and he had two Scott G series trout rods snap as they came down on his headrest!!!

 

[Onesunca]

For short jaunts between pull outs I'll put my rod in my Suburban without breaking it down. It's 13'4. A little maneuvering puts it in an ok position. It's not a best case scenario when buddies are along with multiple rods, and it's a poor idea when your dog can't decide which window he wants his head out!

 

[Bob Budesa]

On a trip to the N. Umpqua last month, Bob Meiser showed me a rod condom (well, that's what WE called it) he'd recently purchased. It's a woven nylon sleeve that slides easily over your rod, once broken in half. Leave the line out, fly clipped into the reel, double the pieces together, and slide this thing over. It keeps lines from tangling with other rods, dogs, waders, etc, and protects it as well.



Brilliant idea!

 

[Nate Bailey]

This is the best way I have found.

 

[underachiever]

I fish out of a VW hatchback (good enough for Frank Moore, good enough for me!) and this is how I transport my rods while hopping between spots while on the river.

http://www.deneki.com/2014/08/storing-rigged-fly-rods/

It takes less than 20 seconds to break it down and less than 20 to reassemble.

 

[Prometheus]

I already have an F150 that's starting to show it's age; extended cab, sliding rear window with a cap. I put the rod from the back of the bed through the rear window to the front between the drivers and passengers seat area. It works pretty well when I go on my 3 week fishing trip. I can understand breaking down rods for a day of fishing a week, but it would get old on day 3 of my trip....

Just thinking that I've always wanted a Suburban and now might be the time to buy.

 

[DrBob]

On a trip to the N. Umpqua last month, Bob Meiser showed me a rod condom (well, that's what WE called it) he'd recently purchased. It's a woven nylon sleeve that slides easily over your rod, once broken in half. Leave the line out, fly clipped into the reel, double the pieces together, and slide this thing over. It keeps lines from tangling with other rods, dogs, waders, etc, and protects it as well.

BBudesa,

I'm glad you are practicing safe rod handling these days. The CDC says that 50% of all rods under the age of 30 have been exposed to HPV so remember, always practice safe rod handling, and never leave home without at least one such condom... :chuckle: :hihi:

 

[Bob Budesa]

One can't be too careful these days. And at 63, I'm too old to have rodlets!

 

[Hardyreels]

If and when I move assembled rods I use something similar to what Nate posted. Mine is a very old magnetic type sold by Orvis around 1993.



It will hold rods ranging from my 6'6" flea up to 15 foot Spey sticks. The only 2 times I put a rod inside a vehicle without being in a tube both rods were damaged. Not a bad average considering how many years are involved. I just won't risk one of my 2 hand rods being broken so they travel in tubes unless I use the rod rack to move along a river. In my boat the rack holds them vertically so the only time they are not racked is when there are overhanging trees along the rivers.

I fish some weird rods so that's part of my overprotective nature. If you break one of your 1981 Hardy's you don't mail it in for a new tip............

I just noticed; if you look at that picture close you notice the heavy line on the leader. That is one of those sinking sections I talk about using and it's on a 9' 5 weight. I was up in the Denali area grayling fishing when I took the picture. I catch grayling here swinging small Dee flies using single hand rods when the streams are not too big

 

[forthetug]

Have a '98 suburban. 12'8" fits front to back no problem, 13'6" is a bit scrunched. I'd say anything 13' and under.

 

[Prometheus]

Thanks everyone for the replies. It looks like the suburban will fit my needs pretty well.

I know more than a few folks that use the magnetic hood systems and they work great for them. I prefer to keep my rods inside the truck while moving from spot to spot. Just personal preference; with my luck a bird would be flying by and somehow get hooked. I'd watch as all my line and backing were stripped from the reel and rod get torn off the holder while I was screeching to a stop....

And it looks like I found a potential vehicle.

 

[Rick J]

I use the same method shown by Whitney - really fast - can do this easily with a 3 piece rod as well