Air travel with tenkara rod in carry-on luggage--advice?

[Deleted]

Dear friends,
Just came off a lovely afternoon of tenkara on the River Graney, Co. Clare. No bites, but lots of fishy interest...I will be heading for a week in Spain this Thursday and spending some time in my ancestral lands of Galicia and Leon by some fine wide gravel rivers as well as lovely mountain streams. I'm going minimalist: just the rod, a tackle wallet, and an extra holding spool, some spare hooks (cricket live bait is used for Galician fixed-leader fly fishing) and my collapsible net.

What's the problem? Nothing with what's above. I'm unfortunately flying on the bane of existence--RyanAir--because those were the cheapest tix to get my 3 kids to Spain (this after I swore to myself never to fly them again). THis means we're trying to avoid going with any more than carryon. Not a problem, I can fit everything in my one carryon, but here are my questions and advice requests:

-the carrying tube: should I bring it, or just carry the rod in the soft bag?
-anyone had trouble bringing hooks or flies as carryon?
-i have a nail clipper and a hemostat in the wallet. Should I forego either, or both? (I think the clipper is safe; they might question the hemostat but it's not pointy)

I'm hoping since RyanAir don't do the safety checks, I should just be treated humanely like everyone else, but I wasn't aware if the EU has any rules re: hooks and small collapsible fishing rods.

Thanks,
Vlad

[daves]

I've had problems with taking my box of flies in hand luggage when visiting the USA, but was finally allowed to take it after prolonged discussion. Also had to open my bag & show my forceps which I'd forgotten to take out of my hand luggage, but they were OK after seeing they weren't pointed.

Funny, it's OK to take a ball point pen which could be very dangerous in the wrong hands!!!

At least with Tenkara there is no fly line as they don't like them taken in hand luggage (you could strangle someone with them). However a belt is OK, presumably you can't strangle anyone with a belt (or shoe laces)!!!

Don't think I'd want to risk the rod without some sort of protective tube unless it was very well padded with clothing.

[flatsghost]

Vlad
I have various issues with assorted tackle whilst travelling and there seems to be no cohesive policy that covers all situations. I think they make it up on the day sometimes!!
Like Dave I have had fly/hook problems but also reels as the 'strangling the pilot' issue comes to the fore, plus tippet, wading boot laces.These days I carry on my chest waders and boots minus laces/belts.
I have never carried a rod on as my Snowbee hold baggage has an armoured base where 4 piece sticks can go easily.
I would not want to risk a soft cover for my rod as carry on as Dave highlights - some clumsy sod might chuck 10k on it in the baggage locker!
You could make an offensive weapon out of a lot of things if you wanted to and they give you knives to eat with!
Good luck Vlad
Glyn

[JP]

Hi Vlad,

My advice would be don't gamble!

Best case scenario (and VERY unlikely) you get there and back with fishing gear in your hand luggage through 2 lots of airport security.

Worst case scenario you could lose some of your gear or be unable to travel with it.

Most likely outcome... they'll make you check it as hand luggage which usually means a walk back to your check in desk (not ideal if travelling with a family) and paying over the odds to check in your gear as hold luggage as they put a premium on "sports equipment".

I'd take an extra bag and pack your rod in its tube together with your other gear then pad the whole lot out with some soft clothing. It'll cost you a little bit more but it's only one bag and better than the likely alternative hassles with airport security.

Don't forget your camera, I'm sure most of us on this forum would like to see a few pictures of your tenkara exploits

[Deleted]

Thanks folks,
Hmmm...I wasn't making any plan to check any baggage--it being charged at 25 quid a pop, each way just for less than 1kg of rod, tackle wallet, and folding net I might wait until a return trip in August where I was more likely to check 1 bag. However, someone once mentioned (and this holds true whenever I fly with my hurdy-gurdy, another esoteric bit of equipment!) that if you pre-empt something, out of good faith, they tend to go a little easier on you. I.e, as I approach, I can simply as: "I have a few pieces of ultralight fishing equipment in the bag, shall I take them out for easier inspection?" I wonder if I should chance it? I suppose I could ask my partner to wait outside security until I know I've cleared, and if I come back out she can take the stuff with her?

[Deleted]

And yes, JP--if I get to wet the lines I'll definitely take photos and post! :^)
Vlad

[mspaddler]

Carriage of any rod in hand baggage doesn't seem to be a problem here in the USA. Just flew to Montana with clearly lots of fisher folk and several people carried on rods including 3 guys with Tenkara USA tubes sticking out of their back packs. Europe may well be different.