Homemade Rod Case

Fly fishing requires different weight rated rods and lengths, often on the same trip. To bring your spare rods along for the trip, fashion a protective rod case. Rod cases are available for sale at tackle, fly fishing and outdoor outfitters, many times at considerable costs. If you want to save that money to spend on the trips or more gear, make a rod case at home with some readily available hardware materials.

Things You'll Need

  • Plastic plumbing tube, 2- to 3-inch diameter
  • Marker
  • Bench vise
  • Saw
  • Power sander
  • Epoxy
  • Rubber mesh sheet
  • Pipe caps
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set out the plastic plumbing tube on a work bench and set the broken-down rods next to the tube. Mark the tube approximately 1 inch further than the length of the rod(s). Use 2-inch diameter tubing for smaller or mid-size rods and 3-inch for multiple rods or large, thick rods.

    • 2

      Put the tubing into the bench vise and saw it off at the marked length. Use the sander to smooth out the cut end and remove sharp plastic fibers.

    • 3

      Smear epoxy to the inside edge of the pipe-cap matched to the diameter of the tubing you are using. Push the pipe-cap onto one end of the tube.

    • 4

      Set out the rubber sheet on the work bench and roll the tube up into it until the entire tube is surrounded by the rubber. Cut the rubber at this point, unroll and apply a light coat of the epoxy to the outside of the tube. Re-roll the rubber over the now glued tube. Let the epoxy dry and cure, sealing the rubber onto the tube. The rubber helps give a non-slip surface to carrying.

    • 5

      Insert the rods into the tube and push the other pipe-cap onto the open end. Do not glue this end; use it for the opening for the rods.