My first thoughts on receiving the fly rod saver were sceptical but i got this free from the man who came up with the idea and produced it in exchange for a honest review so here goes. I tried this out yesterday at my local river....

They are good, theres no way id be without mine.

I recieved a trial version two weeks ago too but have had flu since then but managed to take it with me pike fishing yesterday.

Like lee I was not sure of the idea on initially reading about it and I had doubts over leaving it behind due to the colour blending in with the bankside veg.

On opening the first thing that struck me was the colour is perfect. It is not too garish that's offensive but also although olive/pale green you can see it easily. It is solidly made and there is nothing that can really break on it.

It pushed into the semi-frozen ground easily and I put my 9ft 9# TCR in it without any trouble and don t believe it will mark or damage the cork in the long term as the clips are very forgiving yet still hold the rod in place. It was windy but the rod sat upright for the whole session.

I was also fishing with a 9ft RPLXi 10# which has a very bulbous fighting butt which did not fit into the bottom well of the rod holder. However it still clipped in to the clips around the reel seat, nestled nicely on top of the well, and stayed upright in the wind.

Compared to many fishing gadgets I d say it is a fair price as it will stop your rod from being irritatingly damaged and it will be coming sea trout fishing with me. Also how about a horizontal boat clamped model?

Regards,

Ed

Hi Ed,
thank you so much for your review, I'm delighted that you are happy with my product. Must admit it's a bit nerve wracking waiting to hear what people say. It doesn't matter what you think about your own creations - the customer is the only real judge. So thanks again Ed, much appreciated.
Warm regards
Al

Hi hope you are well, Have you done much trade with the flyrod saver yet, I have used mine quite a few times now and think its great - also do you have anything else or any ideas in the pipeline which you plan on putting into production.

I've finally had a chance to use this today and must admit; I'm impressed!
The tough plastic spike certainly stood up to nearly frozen ground and penetrated with ease; it was extremely firm.
I used it after setting up to hold the rod before closing the car and again throughout the day whilst changing flies or stopping for a natter.

My only gripe is with the cork/handle grip which could do with a slight lip to help it over the handle, I had to bend back the securing clips and ease it around. Once in however, it was very secure on the rod (Hardy Zenith) and I used it with complete confidence.

It's definitely staying in my bag and will be with me from now on.

Great product!

Gary

They are really handy, I use mine all the time.

Hi Gary,
thank you for your review, glad to hear you are impressed.
One tip to make it easier to push the rod into place - sit the end of the rod into the bowl, then with a slight clockwise twist push the cork handle into the clip. You'll see you don't have to bend down at all. Also you can open up the clip a little to 'custom fit' your rod. Hope this helps and thanks again.
Al

Hi mate,
can't retire yet, but I'm encouraged by the response so far and the fact that I'm getting sales from the USA, UK, Europe and yesterday Japan. Didn't even know fly fishing was popular in Japan? It's a real buzz to create something that people value, and getting feedback from people like you is brilliant. As for another idea, the boat version would be good, except the time it takes to develop and the cost is a problem.
Cheers

Al

Just received my Fly Rod Saver - thank you - and first reaction is that the pictures and decription don't do it justice it is a really well made piece of kit that looks better in the flesh.

I checked immediately to see that if it fits my rods and it's equally happy with a couple of small brook rods as with a couple of much larger reservoir ones so seems quite adaptable - I've had a poke around in the (slightly frozen) garden and established that it happily inserts not only into soily / grassy ground (that aerated the grass nicely) but also some stony / rocky areas too so seems very versatile.

Not had chance to try it in action yet so will update as soon as tried it for real - I'm sure it will work well and save having to lie a rod down nearby and risk tripping over it.

I had actually looked previously at other manufacturers ideas for similar reasons of keeping rods safe and there is a twin rod caddie available but as soon as I'd seen that in the flesh I'd discounted it as being simply too hefty to want to carry around. In comparison the Fly Rod Saver weighs next to nothing and takes up next to no space, has just popped easily and unobtrusively into my bag so will be there as and when I need it instead of having to remember to pick it up along with all the other kit. So if for some reason one trip I don't need it then it's not in the way - on the other hand how often do you wish you'd brought something out of the car just when you are at the other end of the river / lake .....

So first reaction is good - looking forward to seeing how useful it is in action !

Cheers - Paul.

Having made initial comments on the Fly Rod Saver when received on it's good build quality and apparent ease of use - an update from having used it out fishing - found it very useful.

It was a good windy day, so though there was definitely no problem putting it into the muddy ground - then rod popped straight into it and it held firmly even in the wind while setting up etc with no problems at all.

Sometimes I tried it at a 'rakish angle' and it help the rod equally well that way too - nice and easy to pop the line through the rings if changing lines etc having it angled rather than straight up. I could also change reels while rod was still mounted onto the rod saver.

Rod slips straight out of holder when needed with no problem (that is a neat trick - rod goes in easily, is held firmly, yet pops out easily when required) - arrives at fairly muddy fishing area and again handy to pop rod in holder and have it standing there safely (and clean) while sorting out a couple of bits and pieces.

There were a few people moving around and there was no worry that anyone was going to walk past and trip over / stand on the rod or trip over it myself either when I wasn't actually fishing with it or when changing flies etc etc.

And that was the story of the afternoon - handy to have, easy to use, well made, lightweight, will definitely carry on using it.

Need to figure whether it might be useful to attach it via it's ring attachment on to a zinger or suchlike and attach to my bag and then be in no danger of leaving it when you move positions but that will be easy to figure the way it works best for you.

Paul B.