I just got back from a 10 day run across N and NW Ireland with my wife. I got skunked on salmon, scrounged up a few trout to partially save the day. Good water, despite high winds and intermittent heavy rains. I got a terrible cold on day 2 and generally felt like death warmed over for the rest of the trip.
I've missed fishing days on a couple different trips by checking my gear, so this time I invested in a nice carry-on travel case. A couple searches here and Blanton's and a couple Irish-specific venues suggested that I'd be OK, and indeed, I had no troubles at all carrying rods and reels from the US. Hooks were all in a separate checked duffle.
When we were scrambling to get through security at Shannon, the security lady inspecting my case informed me that all the line and backing had to come off. Four reels + three extra spools, including a couple big reels that are loaded with a lot of backing for sw duty. That was bad, but she positively lost her mind at a bundle of cable ties ("Have ye not watched Hawaii Five-O? That's how they bind up people! You could take over the plane with these!") and also binned two new rolls of braided wire for pike leaders (at $20 each) before I could protest. I called a supervisor over and he agreed to let me go back to check my case (which cost me an extra 100€...).
As I was checking the case, the baggage man asked what was in it. When I mentioned fishing tackle, he cocked an eyebrow and replied "Oh, one of the boys in the back will be really interested to see that! He's a keen angler." ...as I'm thinking "I'm never going to see my equipment again."
Maybe part of it was increased security due to Prince Charles & Camille's visit -- they flew into Shannon later that day (though I sincerely doubt they make him strip all of the line and backing off of his reels when he flies!).
At least the case arrived at my home airport intact. Grrrr...
Anyway, be warned. I suspect it's a complete crapshoot depending on the airport and the security agents that happen to be working.
I've missed fishing days on a couple different trips by checking my gear, so this time I invested in a nice carry-on travel case. A couple searches here and Blanton's and a couple Irish-specific venues suggested that I'd be OK, and indeed, I had no troubles at all carrying rods and reels from the US. Hooks were all in a separate checked duffle.
When we were scrambling to get through security at Shannon, the security lady inspecting my case informed me that all the line and backing had to come off. Four reels + three extra spools, including a couple big reels that are loaded with a lot of backing for sw duty. That was bad, but she positively lost her mind at a bundle of cable ties ("Have ye not watched Hawaii Five-O? That's how they bind up people! You could take over the plane with these!") and also binned two new rolls of braided wire for pike leaders (at $20 each) before I could protest. I called a supervisor over and he agreed to let me go back to check my case (which cost me an extra 100€...).
As I was checking the case, the baggage man asked what was in it. When I mentioned fishing tackle, he cocked an eyebrow and replied "Oh, one of the boys in the back will be really interested to see that! He's a keen angler." ...as I'm thinking "I'm never going to see my equipment again."
Maybe part of it was increased security due to Prince Charles & Camille's visit -- they flew into Shannon later that day (though I sincerely doubt they make him strip all of the line and backing off of his reels when he flies!).
At least the case arrived at my home airport intact. Grrrr...
Anyway, be warned. I suspect it's a complete crapshoot depending on the airport and the security agents that happen to be working.
Heathrow's terminal number 5 is the worst of it. Every terrorist on earth has probably gone through that place.
