As someone who hosts four to five fishing adventures around the world each year, I’ve learned that packing the right gear is both an art and a science. When you’re hopping between countries, tackling completely different fisheries, and trying to keep baggage fees under control, choosing the right rod setup can make a huge difference.
For years, I’ve been that guy lugging around multiple rods: different sizes, lengths, and weights to be prepared for every situation. Heading into Argentina was no different, or so I thought. I knew I’d be hosting anglers at Jurassic Lake, a place I’ve visited several times before, and that fishery demands versatility. Out on the lake, an 8-weight with a floating line or mid-sink setup is pretty standard for scud patterns, balance-head leeches, and streamers. And lately, anglers have been introducing single-hand spey and even double-hand rods to really reach those distant fish, which only complicates packing. But then there’s the Barrancoso River, a much tighter, more technical stretch where presentations matter and space is limited.
If you’ve traveled internationally with fly gear, you know the drill: do you check your rods? Try to carry them on? Invest in a massive travel case that barely fits overhead compartments? And, when traveling to Argentina specifically, all rods and fly lines are required to be checked because they are considered a deadly weapon.
But this year was different.
In January 2025, I hosted a group of 12 anglers at Jurassic Lake in Southern Argentina, then headed with another group to central Patagonia for a completely different style of fishing. Jurassic Lake is home to legendary rainbow trout, absolute giants. In contrast, the central Argentine waters are more intimate rivers and streams filled with strong rainbows and browns, still massive by U.S. standards, but nowhere near the massive double digit monsters we would fight at Jurassic.
Normally, that variety would mean traveling with five or six rods: multiple 8-weights, a spey rod, and lighter 5 - to 7- weight setups for the rivers. But this time, I packed one system: the ALLFLY.
And I’ll tell you what - this thing absolutely proved itself.
On the Barrancoso River, I ran it as a 9’ 8-wt for precision and presentation in tight quarters. Then, out on the lake, I added the 12-inch extender and the spey handle, transforming it into a 10’6” setup that gave me the distance, control, and line management I needed. That extra length made lifting line, setting hooks, and staying connected to those powerhouse fish a lot easier. My hookup ratio went way up, and I felt like I was able to really punch through the wind that is a constant on Jurassic Lake.
After Jurassic, we moved into central Patagonia’s rivers. With a few quick adjustments, the same rod transformed again into a lighter-weight setup perfect for chasing browns and rainbows in smaller water. The rivers and streams in central Patagonia are gin clear and can require precision, but also a subtle presentation. I mainly fished my ALLFLY setup as 9’ 5/6 wt, but there were times when we were casting longer distances and adding the 12” extender making it a 10’ rod while out on the river was huge! Didn’t need a second or third rod, just one that had some versatility.
In addition to the variety of moving water, there was also a lake right in front of the lodge that had 20”+ browns in it, and the primary way of catching them was long casts with full sink lines. For this I would set the ALLFLY up as 10’ 8 wt, and launch casts across the lake! Even my fishing partner was like “Dang, I guess I’m going to have to get one of those ALLFLYs..." To which I replied, “I would!”
No extra rod tubes. No headaches at airport security. No hauling six different setups through customs.
For a fishery as diverse as Jurassic Lake, and a trip as demanding as Argentina… I can honestly say the ALLFLY was the perfect travel rod. Adaptable, portable, and designed for anglers who refuse to compromise, it replaced an entire quiver of rods without sacrificing performance.
In the next post, I’ll dive deeper into our Patagonia adventures, but for now, I’ll leave you with this: if you’re serious about traveling light without giving up capability, the ALLFLY isn’t just another rod…it’s a game-changer.
