I am having trouble deciding if it is better to bring a 1 piece rod, or a smaller and more packable 2 or 3 piece rod. Both options have advantages and disadvantages.
A 1 piece is stronger, more reliable, and performs better, but 2 piece is much more convenient when camping. I have always brought a one piece in fear that a 2 piece will break and leave me fishless. Is a 2 piece really that much easier to pack? Should I just bring 2 rods?

Any and all suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

-Fisherman Willy

I bring a two piece and I have seen very few one piece rods on my travels in the BWCAW. I have seen fewer 1 piece then those 5 piece (or more) collapsible and telescoping rods.

I pack my rod collapsed and attach it the sides of the canoe with bungee cords to the thwarts. On days I know I will not fish during the day I take off the reel and place it in my pack. On days I might fish the rod is packed and ready to go. When I am doen portaging ofr the day the rod many tomes will come off the gunwales and thwarts and sit by me ready for action.

Do what you are comfortable with, but duct tape and ingenuity can do a lot to repair a damaged rod in the wilderness.

Three things a person who fishes should never be without... duct tape, good super glue, and strong thread. First year in the BWCA, throwing a spoon for northern using a steel leader, the end of the leader gets caught in the rod tip and pulls it off... Luckily I had some super glue, and strong thread to put it back on with... as a matter of fact that rod is still good as ever...

Bruce

Also, as far as rods go... I generally carry two rods, a one-piece and a two piece... would hate to only carry one and have it break. That would be a nightmare for me...

Bruce

Willy,

Though a 3-5 piece break down rod is convenient for backpacking, you just don't need that for a canoe trip in the BWCA or Quetico. And the action is never going to be as good when a rod comes in muliple pieces.

I rarely even break down my rod when it is a 2 piece. I take some of the BDB's (Bungee Dealee Bobs) and bungee our rods into the sides of the canoe for traveling and portaging. The rods don't get caught on tree branches and don't change the portaging of the canoe.

The bungees make it real easy to take the rods off the canoe when you want to.

We always bring at least 3 rods (and usually 4) two light/medium for walleye/smallies and one heavier for trolling for northerns/trout. Mmm, how I love fresh baked lake trout!

Hey Lynn,
Speaking of Lake Trout... I am going to Ima, Thomas, and Fraser, in late June... Any tips to help me catch some lakers at that time? So I can sample some of that baked Lake Trout... I can smell it cooking already...

Bruce

I like to take two one piece rods, I pack them in a homemade pvc rod carrier. Normally the rods don't come out untill after we set up camp. For some reason that doesn't sound good :-)

I bring three one-piece rods on every trip. Whether to use a one-piece or a two-piece is strictly a preference. You can accomadate for either one on a trip of any size. I just prefer one-piece rods and since I'm a starving college student I don't have enough jing to by rods specifically for a trip to the BW. Usually, I bring a medium heavy for my baitcast reel, and then a medium and light for my spinning reel. Just like VoyageurNorth, I too strap my rods to the inside of the canoe using bungee straps for portaging. This way they are easily accessable as we make our way to our base camp lake. Good Luck,
HBN