k just read 2 pages so im throwing my highly sought after opinion into the pit: for the record, a year ago i went through HELL getting a 2 piece rod onto an airplane. i had brought two suitcases (one clothes, one fishing gear. it was november and coooollllddddd) and strapped my rodcase to my larger suitcase to act as a single checked baggage. wow the baggage people made a fuss . the case only extended 5 inches from my jimmy-hoffa-sized suitcase. they wanted my to check the rodcase as a single checked baggage to extract an extra $90 outof me! I said some things I probably shouldnt and set off to the waiting area to discard half of my much needed warm clothes into my fishing gear case to get it checked in. Before all this happened I had called ahead of time many times to confirm it was permissive to do so and the departure manager said "yeah, its alright. we've had this many times". really im not the one to ask for much and people who know me tell me im quite sympathetic and gracious towards people--nothing I have ever gone through has ever made me as fight'n mad as this incident . guess everyone must get their shpill from the airlines eventually. consider all this frustration an added perk that transpires from two piece rods, or unless you plan on driving everywhere.

post script-twas a cold week in gunnison

most airlines give fisherman a hard time, you may want to reasearch here a bit (and/or get a travel rod);
http://forums.marlinmag.com/blogs/?q=node/138

Here are a few good indicators:

1. When your wife/girlfriend gives you $$$ and says, "Go buy some nice fly fishing stuff." Or when they give you permission to spend your own $$$ for the same.

2. When a friend, neighbor, acquaintance, or stranger gives you some sweet gear.

3. When you win or find a large sum of $$$ that your wife/girlfriend doesn't know about.

4. When you win it in a raffle, lottery, or drawing; the proceeds from which went to a "good cause."

5. Whenever your wife/girlfriend spends a ridiculous amount of money for something she truly didn't need and just wanted to have that serves no practical purpose or benefit to anyone but her.

6. Whenever you want your wife/girlfriend to make your life a living hell for awhile.

7. If you want your wife/girlfriend to leave you, then keep repeating #6 without remorse until you achieve the desired result.

yeah....the girlfriend is not for me spending more money on it right now...especially since i just started about a month ago.....maybe give it another month....see how see feels

orvis - good rods & reels?

Buy stuff and leave in car for a safe amount of time then bring inside, or buy it bring inside when she is out and SAY NOTHING AND DO NOTHING with it for some time then when you bring it out you can say "Oh I got a long time ago"

Just follow the lead of Sgt. Shultz.