Luxury Rod Tubes — If You Demand the Very Best
How do you protect your most expensive rods for a trip to the lake or as you board your private jet?
It’s not necessarily a rhetorical question. As more hedge-funders and other members of the international elite discover angling, they want the best of the best. The rod tubes that the rest of us rely on for one-piece sticks and travel rods don’t fit their image.
That’s led to some extreme creations, like the rods from Blue Ridge, Georgia’s Oyster Bamboo, which start over $3,000 and can “go as high as you want to go,” with some existing models topping twenty grand. They’re so exclusive that they’ve been featured on a “Lake Life” edition of the 2 Chainz show “Most Expensivist.” Or maybe you’re trying to save a few bucks, so you’d rather spend a mere $13,790 on the Hermes fishing rod, made in France.
If those rods are on your radar, then no doubt you also aspire to own matching luggage. You might already own an item or three from Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci, or the highly-coveted Hermes Birkin. If that’s the case, you won’t balk at spending a few coins (or more) for a luxury rod tube. Fortunately for you, our consumerist nature and an economy that has been rising for over a decade have created a glut of such products. Here are a few:
The “surplus green” color may scream “inexpensive,” but like everything Filson makes, it’s no doubt quite sturdy. Their Tin Cloth jacket is just about my favorite item of clothing that I own. They state that this one will hold up to six four-piece rods.
James Acord Rod Cases ($650-1600 or more)
These personalized and customized tubes wrap leather around aluminum tubing bodies, and they’re lined with calfskin on the inside. Jimmy draws, carves and tools each image by hand and then paints them.
[Note: there is a waiting list to get one]
A.L. Swanson Craftsman Studios (approximately $300-1000)
Maine native Al Swanson makes these tubes in Montana, along with other fishing gear and handcrafted furniture. There are several different models, some named after famous western rivers, and they can be customized with artwork and monogramming. They can be purchased directly from Swanson, or through Orvis.
Rod Craftsman Luxury English Bridle Leather Tubes (approximately $575-615)
These tubes from the UK are replete with high grain leather and hand-stitching, configured precisely to the desires of the individual client. They come in tan, dark brown and black, and are made to order.
Chris Clemes Bridle Leather Rod Tube (approximately $425)
Chris Clemes rod and reel makers of England build custom split cane fly rods and these are the perfect way to accessorize and protect them like a gentleman. The Dark Havana Tan tubes have a sheepskin liner in the top of the hinged lid and a removable leather shoulder strap with sheepskin padding and brass fittings.
SKB iSeries Fly Fishing Case (approximately $300)
This one may be more functional than fashionable, but at three bills it’s no slouch in the price department. Nevertheless, like all of SKB’s products, it’s just about bulletproof – watertight, holds four rod tubes up to 36 inches long, with room for more gear.
South Creek Gereaux Leather Cases ($350-600)
These are true works of art made in Colorado by Ron Gereaux, all hand dyed, hand stitched and hand tooled. They can come smooth or tooled, in both individual and multi-rod configurations.
Swift Wood Fly Rod Tube ($120)
You can stain or paint the unfinished hexagonal pine tube to your taste, but the natural grain and leather shoulder strap look simple and elegant as-is.
