Poor Boy Rod Holder

Poor Boy Rod Holder Recipe

by crittergetter

Parts

2 feet ½ Copper Tubing 5.97
2 3” Magnetic Flanges (Harbor Freight) 4.97 (each)
2 T connectors for ½ Copper Tubing .87 (each)
2 3/8 inch Squeeze Connectors .57 (each)
1 ½ pipe Foam Insulation 4 Feet .97

Total Parts Cost less than $20.00

Parts I didn't buy but had in my shop

Gorilla glue >> (glue copper tubing together)
Tubing Cutter >> (tool to cut copper really easy)
Bungee cords >> (used to hold down the fly rod)
¾ hole saw >> (open up flange for squeeze connectors)
Dremel Rasp >> (cleanout ¾ hole)
Soft Cloth >> (glue to bottom of flange so you don’t scratch your car)
Cloth Glue >> (craft spray glue)
Zip Tie >> (zip tie the foam and bungee on the T connect)

If you don't have the means to cut, drill, grind or glue, then buy the rod holders from Orvis.

I drove down I70 to Kansas City (130 miles away) averaging 75 miles per hour with a fly rod in it, without incident. I got spooked by wind gust a time or two passing freight trucks.

Construction Details

Cutting the Copper Tubing

4ea, 4" long, used for Horizontal T
1ea, 2" long, used for Roof Mount Vertical Post
1ea, 4" or 5" long, used for Hood Mount Vertical Post. (Length depends on Reel diameter).

Hood Mount Detail


Note: Adjust the hood mount vertical post to your reel size. A 4" post meets all my needs.

Roof Mount Detail


Flange with Compression Fitting (Top View)


Note: This was the hardest thing on the project. You will need to drill out the pre-drilled hole 3/4" opening. I used a 3/4" hole saw. I used a burring tool with my "Dremel" as well.

After hole is drilled, insert the 3/8" Squeeze Connector in hole and tighten.

Spray cloth glue on flange bottom and cover with soft cloth to prevent scratching your car.

Flange with Compression Fitting (Side View)


Flange in Package


Horizontal T Detail


Note: I compressed the ends of the tubing by about 1”. Drilled a ¼ inch hole and then bent it 90 degrees. This isn’t necessary. This extra step should make stretching the Bungee easier. If you don’t do this step the bungee can connect to the raw pipe almost as easy.

Drill a ¼ hole in the middle of the Copper T.

Glue the Copper T’s together.

Then glue the T to the vertical post.

Attach the Post and T to the 3/8 squeeze connector and tighten.

Next to last step is to cut the foam pipe insulation to cover between the T’s. I glued the foam as well. (Don't know if necessary) then Zip tied the ends and middle (see finished product)

Last step is to push a zip tie in the middle of the T (through the ¼ pre-drilled hole) and Zip the bungee down.

Finished Product