Rods At The Ready

There’s a plague that’s currently affecting the modern rod quiver, with symptoms including flimsy materials, iffy stitching, dull colours and zero protection for your beloved lengths of carbon. Thankfully, Speero’s new Compact Rod Sling is the remedy we’ve been waiting for. Firmly not ticking any of the above boxes, the ‘Compact’ is the perfect mix of lightness, compactness and protection, and has you and your rods/reels covered, whether you’re nipping to Linear for 24hrs or planning a trip to the continent. 

So what is it then—a sling or a quiver?
It depends on how you’d describe a quiver. If you think of one with a large central compartment big enough for a bivvy then, no, this isn’t one. But in every other way it’s basically a quiver on a diet, so it’s ideal for roaming anglers or those who travel light. It’s an over-the-shoulder carrying bag for three rods in the main compartment and, at a push, a couple at the rear. It even has space for a lightweight brolly, which is impressive given its overall lack of bulk.

Does it matter how long my rods are?
No, and that’s the beauty of a largely open sling like this; you can use it for different types of set-ups. This version will accept rods from 9ft to 13ft, and everything in between.

Neat. What’s build quality like then?
This is where Speero excel. There’s military experience in their ranks and it shows in the toughness and build of their luggage. The Compact Rod Sling is made from super-tough 600D cordura and is, like all other Speero products, available in either plain green or DPM camo. The base features a wipe-clean protective material with large drain holes to stop nets and slings going mouldy. Chunky grab handles at either end also make loading and unloading from your car nice and simple.

I like the sound of it, but is it going to kill my neck and back on a long walk?
You can certainly pack a lot into this relatively small package, but Speero have given it a carry strap that’s up to the job. It’s generously wide and padded, and fully adjustable so it sits just right no matter what height you are.

Okay, I think I could definitely get on board with this concept. But what about my precious reels—won’t they knock together and get damaged?
Sure, any sling-type rod holdall that gives you lightweight roaming potential is going to be a little skinny on the protection side of things. However, Speero also offer a Reel Pouch System which matches perfectly with the Compact Rod Sling. These individual elasticated sleeves offer wraparound protection for your reels, plus tip and butt protection for your rods. They work on either 12ft or 13ft models and they can be used on their own or clipped together for extra security in the Compact Rod Sling

Starting to sound expensive…
You might be pleasantly surprised—the Compact Rod Sling is £39.95, while the Olive or DPM Reel Pouch Systems are £17.95 each, or you could opt for the ultra cool Flecktarn finish which has been produced in collaboration with Monkey Climber, and these retail for £19.95 each.