Fly Fishing Trips: Using Fishing Rod Holders

Fly fishing trips are not just for sport, but also for relaxation, which can be enjoyed in the company of family and friends, who can join in your enjoyment and celebration of your catch.

One item of fishing equipment which can be used to help a fisherman to do a number of things at the same time is the rod holder. Fishing requires that you use both hands in the process of landing the fish and removing it from the hook; there are a number of things you need to do as part of this process, but you also don't want to let go of the rod. This is why the rod holder was invented. With its help, fishermen can make use of both of their hands to attend to the fish.

The earliest rod holders were made in two sections: a Velcro strap which goes around your arms or waist, and another strap which fastens the rod to a railing which holds it up.

This design proved troublesome, especially if the Velcro strap was fastened to the fisherman's waist and you hit something, and so the newer design has four parts, these being two straps and two pole clips.

First there is a short strap which goes round your forearm or wrist, and then a longer one which goes round the leg or ankle. The exact position of the straps depends on the stance you use whilst fishing.

If you suffer from seasickness when fishing from a boat, you can get a rod holder which has a stimulator which acts on the acupressure point of your wrist and eases the sickness. Make sure, if you need to use this type, that you wear the strap throughout the trip for continuous pressure and relief.

The rod holder is especially good on fly fishing trips, because these usually occur in places such as rocky rivers where you really need to use both your hands for fishing tasks. You can choose to put the handle end of the rod into the clips on your lower leg and this prevents water from getting into it.

The upper clips can rotate a full 360 degrees, which means that the rod is more flexible and the fisherman can have full range of movement. The holder can be used anywhere you choose to fish, including on land, from the dock or on a boat, and it has further advantages in that you can release the pole easily, and the holder stops it from slipping out of your hands.

You can buy good quality rod holders from fishing stores, and should be able to find one to suit your particular fishing purposes, or you can make excellent ones yourself at home.