How to Make Your Own Vehicle-Mounted Fly Fishing Rod Carrier

Fishing, whether it's fly fishing or otherwise, is among the many skills and hobbies frequently passed down from one generation to the next. We've found that the ingenuity, confidence, and willingness to make something of your own is also a trait that's often passed from parent to child and grandparent to grandchild. So it's no surprise that there are a lot of folks out there interested in making their own rooftop carrier that will safely transport their fly fishing and traditional fishing rods. Among the many advantages to a well-built fly rod carrier is that you can quickly transition from one spot to the next without having to address all your rigging at each new location. We've found essentially two options for Do-It-Yourself fishing rod carriers for vehicles, and we take a close look at them below. You'll also find a variety of videos that step you through the process of building your own fly rod carrier.

Exterior Mount Vehicle Fly Rod Carrier Made From Pipe

For your own, homemade fly rod carrier, PVC or ABS pipe is one of the most popular materials to start with. The size of pipe you're looking for will depend on what type of rod carrier you're looking to make. If you're looking to carry just one or two rods, you might consider a four-inch piece of schedule 40 PVC pipe which should accommodate fully assembled rods with the reels attached. The tricky part about this design is securing the entire rod so it doesn't bounce around. A smaller length of pipe within the larger piece and plenty of padding can accomplish this. Most hobby stores will have good foam options for this type of project.

If you're looking to carry your entire fishing arsenal of 3 or more rods, you'll probably want to give each rod its own tube, or perhaps two rods could share a tube that accommodates each individually. With this type of carrier, you'll need to affix the pipes together and attach a box at the end large enough to house the reels. Once again, it's important to prevent damage and marring of your rods with foam and by smoothing over any sharp edges. This is especially true for the tubes where you will be sliding your rods in and out because of how easy it is to snag an eyelet. No matter which design you go with, making sure it will lock is also important for those times when you need to run into a gas station or other errand between home and the water. There are a variety of options for this from basic gate locks to a chord and a padlock and even more sophisticated options.

Of course, you always have the option of a top-quality fly fishing rod carrier that's been extensively engineered and tested to ensure the absolute best quality. This way, there will be no doubt as to the longevity, dependability and capability of your fly rod carrier.