BahiaDave

Thanks, Dan, looks very nice - though a bit worried about how a cork handle would fare here with the bugs, especially termites who eat everything! The local hardwood is impervious to everything, including drill bits so they nail everything together, but any softwoods don't last long out here! Thank you for responding, though.

I am looking for a suitable rod to travel to distant parts of South America with. It must be able to fit in a rucksack or suitcase, which limits my options considerably! Before I get loads of suggestions that full-size rods can be transported by the airlines, etc. I will be travelling by bus, foot, donkey (whatever is available at my destination) so it needs to break down small and reasonably light. My first aim will be beach fishing (as my next long-term destination here will probably be the North-west coast of Peru), though I am not averse to trying anything if the sport is there. Where I am at the moment there is nothing worth fishing for (people use single piece bamboo rods with a fixed line!), but there are some lakes and reservoirs within 100 miles or so, which are accessible by motorbike. Are telescopic rods any good? There are numerous on offer in the marketplace, but I have yet to see a review that rates them worth using, though prices are attractive, and they certainly pack up small. At the other end of the scale how about something like the Shakespeare Salt XT travel series? Much pricier but have a good name behind them and seem to fit the bill (there are cheaper versions available I see), and many come with a hard case too. I (think!) am looking for something that will take up to 30 lb line (I have seen combos that come with a reel that will fit the bill, and with two spools could fill one with lighter line to make it more sporting!) as I have no idea what lurks beneath the depths out here (Brazil has the world's largest freshwater fish in the Arapaima!). I did think about buying out here (generally cheaper unless it is imported!) but have yet to see anything considered suitable as a "travel" rod. Is that enough to go on? Budget? I am doing voluntary (that means unpaid!) work out here, and am considered to be "retired" so funds are limited, but as I am looking at the Shakespeare combo which comes in around £110 including the reel, this can be considered as top of my price range. Thanking you all in advance! Dave

Hi, newbie here currently doing voluntary work in Brazil. Avid fisherman but not active for a few years now - was spoilt as a child by living in Africa with amazing fishing, so not too impressed (sorry!) by UK fishing. Or maybe it is just that I didn't know where (or how?) to fish. I do recall fishing at Weybourne in North Norfolk, on the shingle beach, during a snow-storm once! And being towed back into Great Yarmouth harbour as our boat broke down! Dave.