Maxcatch Alltime Travel Fishing Rod - Ultra Compact 8-Piece 9ft Backpacking Fly Rod with Protective Tube (5/6/8wt) | Portable Fly Fishing Gear for Travel, Hiking & Outdoor Adventures

So this rod is why I bothered to log in here and review some of my Amazon purchases. I wanted everyone to know how good this rod really is.Honestly, objectively, it might be my favorite rod out of the 8 that I own and use! That is really saying something when I have some Orvis, Fenwick, and a Lefty Kreh signature rod that my wife gave me as an engagement gift (she's amazing, and I hope it inspires others to receive rods when they shell out for that special ring).I bought this specifically because I wanted something that fits into suitcases for unexpected adventures when traveling. I was aiming for a 5 or 6 piece, and 9 piece definitely felt like overkill. But I was wrong! It pieces together very well, it stores very well, and it handles expertly. This rod feels more intuitive and responsive than any other rod I have, with perhaps the exception of the fiberglass Fenwick. It is a joy to swing around, and it handles like a champ!I got the 5wt and put a 5/6 reel on it, as I imagine trout is probably going to be my most consistent quarry. However, to test it out I have taken it to my warm water creek for smallmouth bass. I usually use a 6 or 7 weight for these waters. This rod is underpowered for throwing medium-to-large poppers (no surprise, it's more of a top water trout rod), but really can sling properly-sized flies a good distance. It pulls in fish very well, and you can feel every tug (in a good way). The reel seat holds tight (I have a few that cheaped out on this), the "dot" pattern is accurate to help you put the rod together, and the rod itself performs about twice as good as I would have expected.Honestly, this is a fantastic rod. The "travel" size is an absolute bonus. Do NOT keep looking; I can't imagine a more satisfying rod. This is easily my favorite Amazon purchase in over 10 years of compulsive buying. Very, very well done, Maxcatch!