Rigged and Ready Inspiration
Travel & Pack Spin-Fly Rod Inspiration
The Evolution of Travel Spin-Fly Pack Rods: From the 1950s to Today
In our view the best fishing rod advert ever for the classic Eagle Claw Trailmaster Combination
One regular question we get is, “Where does our concept for our multi-section, super-compact Spin-Fly X 5 and X Series™ come from? Now we can show you through our archive and collection of travel spin-fly rods. Fundamentally, we have taken a very popular fishing concept from the 1960’s and 70’s and evolved it, using the latest rod building technology and added our own innovations.
At Rigged and Ready, yes, we have taken the concept of Travel and Pack fishing rods a long way, but the idea of a compact, packable rod is far from new. In fact, the concept of spin and fly travel rods dates all the way back to the 1950s, when anglers first began looking for practical ways to take their fishing gear further afield. These early multi-piece rods quickly became a popular solution for those who wanted freedom, portability, and versatility without sacrificing performance.
Above some fantastic adverts for the spin/fly rods in the 60’s and 70’s, from the biggest brands in fishing. Shakespeare, Eagle Claw, South Bend, Martin, Berkley, Daiwa and Orvis
Over the decades, travel rods have evolved dramatically — stronger materials, improved joint systems, and more refined actions have transformed them into serious tools for modern anglers. Yet the original appeal remains the same: the ability to fish anywhere, anytime, with a rod that fits easily into your life and your luggage.
Wright & McGill Eagle Claw lead the way with travel pack rods. The Classic Eagle Claw Trailmaster has had many different rod configurations over the years and is still made today
At Rigged and Ready, we have always been inspired by the pioneers of this concept. That’s why we’ve collected some of the very best vintage spin/fly travel rods ever produced — studying their craftsmanship, innovation, and design. Many of the groundbreaking ideas from the past were far ahead of their time, and we believe they deserve a place in the modern world.
Berkley were in on the act, with the innovative Buccaneer Travel Pack rods, with regular innovations to blank material and rod ferrules, continually evolving rod technologies
By combining the best of these classic innovations with today’s advanced materials and engineering, we’ve been able to update and modernise the travel rod concept for a new generation of anglers — producing what we believe are the finest spin/fly travel rods available in 2026.
Leading the way is the innovative X5 Travel Rod. Designed for both spinning and fly fishing, the X5 goes beyond traditional travel rods by offering true multi-functionality. With interchangeable tips, multiple casting weights, and a design built for adaptability, it’s a modern pack rod built for anglers who demand more — whether they’re exploring remote rivers, travelling abroad, or keeping a rod ready for spontaneous adventure.
The X5 has taken many of the innovations from the past Spin-Fly travel and pack rods from the past, then added new innovations to offer what we feel is the ultimate travel spin-fly rod
The travel rod revolution started decades ago — and with the X5, Rigged and Ready are shaping its future. You will see innovations from the past included adding baitcasting options to the rods. We are on the case and in 2026, will see the launch of the X5 Spin-Fly-Baitcast rod!
THE RIGGED & READY VINTAGE SPIN-FLY TRAVEL RODS COLLECTION
We take travel rods very seriously and have, over the years sourced some very special vintage rods from the past. We hope you will be interested to see our inspiration and these vintage rods influence on what we do today. Very rarely has there been true rod invention. We must credit that we have learned from the past to develop what we feel are the best travel fishing and travel spin-fly fishing rods for our anglers to Go anywhere and Fish Everywhere!
1950’s
WEISS FISHING TACKLE FLY-SPIN ROD
Made in the 1950’s in Japan, from spit cane, this rod has 2 interchangeable tips to offer 2 rod lengths, with shorter spin rod. The handle flips to offer both fly and spin fishing. The eyes of the rod are very small, which will make fly fishing harder. Because of the short handle the rod is very tip heavy. The extra tip is an inspiration for the X5.
RIGGED & READY X SERIES™ INFLUENCE Very compact and light, flip spin-fly handle, extra tips for additional cast weights
1960’s
SHAKESPEARE WONDEROD “JET SET” SPIN-FLY
First released in the 1960’s. One of the first flip handles that switches the reel seat from the back of the handle to fly fish, to the front to spin fish. One of the first removeable butt plugs that adds balance. The sections push together and stay firm. Because the handle has 3 sections, the rod is well balanced. Yet another influence on the X5.
RIGGED & READY X SERIES™ INFLUENCE Compact, well balanced, flip spin-fly 3 section handle, removeable butt plug, hybrid steel fly-spin guides
BERKLEY CUSTOM PARAMETRIC SPIN-FLY-BAITCAST ROD
A 1960’s flip handle with rubber butt plug, that work for spin and fly, with fixed reel seat. Not the best balance for both as the handle is very short. The addition of the baitcast handle offer more fishing options, as do the 3 tips to offer different cast weights. The multi-tip here was a big influence on the X5.
RIGGED & READY X SERIES™ INFLUENCE Very compact and very light, 3 extra tips for additional cast weights. Multi-functional fishing handles
FENWICK VOYAGER SPIN-FLY
A 1960’s travel rod. The full cork handle flips to fish both spin and fly-fishing options. The short section 2 provides the flexibility to flip the handle. A very light whippy rod, which is well balanced. Not really compact enough for a travel or pack rod. More portable than super-compact
RIGGED & READY X SERIES™ INFLUENCE Compact and very light, well balanced, flip spin-fly handle. Great protective tube
SHAKESPEARE WONDEROD “JET SET” SPIN-FLY-BAITCAST
First made in the 1960’s. One of the first flip handles that switches the reel seat from the back of the handle to fly fish, to the front to spin fish. Now with an added baitcast handle. One of the first removeable butt plugs that adds balance. The sections push together and stay firm. Because the handle has 3 sections, the rod is well balanced. Yet another big influence on the X5. A direct copy of the classic Eagle Claw Trailmaster, however with longer rod sections and no extra short tip.
One of the best rod names ever… Shakespeare Wonderod. Offering 4 different handle options so truly multi-functional and super compact. Also, very strong.
RIGGED & READY X SERIES™ INFLUENCE Very compact and very light, well balanced, flip spin-fly 3 section handle, removeable butt plug. Multi-functional fishing
ABERCROMBIE & FITCH PASSPORT FLY-SPIN ROD
An amazingly engineered spin fly rod from the 1960’s. Only 100 were made by Abercrombie & Fitch. At that time, were not a fashion brand, but a leading outdoor brand making fishing and hunting equipment. The cork handle has sliding reel seat so the rod can be fished both fly and spin. The eyes on the rod are set for fly fishing. With a full rod length of 137cm 4’6” and compact length of just 15cm 6”, you would not want to catch anything too large.
One of the most innovative rods of all time. A collector’s items. Very difficult to make today, which is why we may never see it from Rigged and Ready
RIGGED & READY X SERIES™ INFLUENCE Very light, multifunctional fly-spin fishing, well protected
EAGLE CLAW TRAILMASTER VM8RM
The 1960’s classic Eagle Claw Trailmaster. Without doubt the biggest influence on our X Series™ rods, especially the X5. Reversible 3 part, push together handle provides spin and fly fishing and a very balanced rod. The additional baitcast handle provides the baitcast element. The super short tip ups the cast weight significantly. The rod is rugged and made from solid fibreglass, so is heavy compared to today’s rods. Comes in a very compact vinyl case.
Well packaged, promoting 8 fishing functions from one rod. Comes with a lifetime guarantee
RIGGED & READY X SERIES™ INFLUENCE Compact, well balanced, flip spin-fly 3 section handle, removeable butt plug, small tip to increase cast weight. Hybrid sized guides for fly and spin. Well protected in packaging. Multi-functional fishing. Great guarantee cover.
MARTIN “FLY WATE” SPIN-FLY
A super compact 6 section travel pack rod from the 1960’s in fantastic condition. The rod uses the standard fixed fly reel seat, with sliding spin guides. Very well made and designed to last, as it has done. Stiffer action due to the number of steel spigots. Great protective case.
RIGGED & READY X SERIES™ INFLUENCE Very compact and very light. Well protected multi-functional fishing
SHAKESPEARE WONDEROD “SPIN-FLY”
A 1960’s very light and portable rod, with fixed reel seat for fly fishing and sliding reel seat for fishing. When fly fishing the sliding reel moves onto the hand making it a little uncomfortable. You can hold them with your casting hand to keep them still. Good condition. Rod sections are slightly different lengths. Medium action. Longer handle give the rod good balance. Packed in cloth tube (not original)
RIGGED & READY X SERIES™ INFLUENCE Compact and very light. Spin-fly handle. Well protected, multi-functional fishing
1970’s
NORTHWOODS MP333 SPIN-FLY
A 1970’s fly-spin system, with fixed fly reel seat and moveable spin reel mount. The spin reel mount moves when fly fishing, so probably not the best solution. This can be held with the hand when fly fishing, so it doesn’t move. The rod sections are longer, allowing a well-balanced rod, however it would be best considered a portable rod, rather than a travel pack rod.
RIGGED & READY X SERIES™ INFLUENCE Compact and Light, spin-fly handle
GOLDEN GATE SPIN-FLY
A 1970’s very compact rod, with fixed reel seat for fly fishing and sliding reel seat for fishing. When fly fishing the sliding reel moves onto the hand making it a little uncomfortable. This can be held with the hand when fly fishing
RIGGED & READY X SERIES™ INFLUENCE Super compact and very light. Multi-function spin-fly fishing handle
EAGLE CLAW TRAILMASTER TRRR249 SPIN-FLY
The 1970’s updated classic Eagle Claw, Wright & McGhill Trailmaster. This rare 5 section rod has a flip handle, with good fishing balance due to the 2-section handle delivering fly and spin fishing. Not so compact to travel. The multi-section has been something we have in our Rigged and Ready rods. Eagle Claw still make a version of this rod today.
RIGGED & READY X SERIES™ INFLUENCE Compact and very light, well balanced, flip spin-fly 3 section handle, removeable butt plug. Hybrid sized guides for fly and spin.
BERKLEY BUCCANEER TRAVEL PACK B5C-7
A very light and compact pack 1970’s rod, with fixed reel seat for fly fishing and sliding reel seat for fishing. When fly fishing the sliding reel moves onto the hand making it a little uncomfortable. You can hold them with your casting hand to keep them still. Great condition. The butt section is removeable when fly fishing (in our sample it is fixed in place)
RIGGED & READY X SERIES™ INFLUENCE Compact and very light. Flip spin-fly handle. Well protected, multi-functional spin-fly handle
EAGLE CLAW POWERLIGHT TRRR249 SPIN-FLY
A great, well-balanced 1970’s version based on the Trailmaster from Eagle Claw. Has the standard fixed fly reel seat and sliding spin reel seat, you can control with the hand holding them in the fly position. Steel rod guides, with snake guides plus fly end ring. Not so compact to travel. Love the Eagle Claw metal badge on the butt section.
RIGGED & READY X SERIES™ INFLUENCE Compact and very light. Spin-fly handle. Well protected, multi-functional spin-fly handle
FENWICK VOYAGER FERALITE SPIN-FLY SF74-4
A very light 1970’s rod as the name suggests. The full cork handle flips to fish both spin and fly-fishing options. Has the standard fixed fly reel seat and sliding spin reel seat, you can control with the hand holding them in the fly position. A very light whippy rod, which is well balanced. Not really compact enough for a travel or pack rod. More portable than super-compact
RIGGED & READY X SERIES™ INFLUENCE Compact and very light. Spin-fly handle. Well protected, multi-functional spin-fly handle
SOUTH BEND OUTDOORS MAN
A 1970’s very light and compact pack rod, with fixed reel seat for fly fishing and sliding reel seat for fishing. When fly fishing the sliding spin reel seat moves onto the hand making it a little uncomfortable. You can hold them with your casting hand to keep them still. Great condition. Rod sections are different lengths. Medium stiff action. Short handle makes the rod tip heavy.
RIGGED & READY X SERIES™ INFLUENCE Super compact and very light. Flip spin-fly handle. Well protected, multi-functional spin-fly handle
1980’s
DIAWA STRIKE SPIN-FLY
A very compact rod 1980’s rod, with flip spin/fly handle, with rubber butt plug to stop dirt. The rod joints were an innovation, with a reverse joint, with smaller male fitting into larger female join, providing a much smoother rod curve. The rod joint also has rubber plugs to both strengthen the joint and stop movement in the joint when fishing. The stainless-steel lined guides and the rod joints and the rubber bung are the influence on our X Series ™ and Smuggler Series™ super-compact rods
RIGGED & READY X SERIES™ INFLUENCE Super compact and very light, reverse rod joint ferrules and rubber bungs to stop rod section rotation. Flip spin-fly handle. Stainless steel lined rod guides are incredibly robust. Great protective tube.
DAIWA APPOLO SPIN-FLY
A very compact 1980’s rod, with flip spin/fly handle, with rubber butt plug to stop dirt. The rod joints were an innovation, with a reverse joint, with smaller male fitting into larger female join, providing a much smoother rod curve. The rod joint also has rubber plugs to both strengthen the joint and stop movement in the joint when fishing. These rod joints and the rubber bung are the influence on our X Series™ and Smuggler Series™ super-compact rods
RIGGED & READY X SERIES™ INFLUENCE Very compact and very light, flip spin-fly handle, reverse rod joint ferrules and rubber bungs to stop rod section rotation. Stainless steel lined rod guides are incredibly robust. Great protective tube.
DIAWA EXECUTIVE SPIN-FLY COMBINATION
A 1980’S very compact rod, with flip spin/fly handle, with rubber butt plug to stop dirt. The rod joints were an innovation, with a reverse joint, with smaller male fitting into larger female join, providing a much smoother rod curve. The rod joint also has rubber plugs to both strengthen the joint and stop movement in the joint when fishing. These rod joints and the rubber bung are the influence on our X Series ™ and Smuggler Series™ super-compact rods
RIGGED & READY X SERIES™ INFLUENCE Very compact and very light, flip spin-fly handle, reverse rod joint ferrules and rubber bungs to stop rod section rotation
2000’s
ORVIS ENCOUNTER SPIN-FLY COMBO
Yet another fly spin solution from 2010 onwards, with both fly and spin handle. A very light rod well-built and well-balanced rod. As you may expect from Orvis more a fly rod you can spin with. Not so compact to travel. The padded travel case is a great addition as is offering it with both fly and spin reel, however the case is too big for most flight carry-on luggage.
RIGGED & READY X SERIES™ INFLUENCE Very light, well balanced, multifunctional spin-fly fishing
CONCLUSION – THE X 5 & X SERIES™
The vintage spin-fly fishing rods in our collection have always represented the spirit of innovation, versatility, and fishing adventure. Their legacy continues to inspire modern anglers who want the freedom to adapt to changing conditions and different styles of fishing without carrying multiple rods.
At Rigged and Ready, we have taken the very best ideas from past fishing rod innovations and pushed them further—updating reversible spin-fly handles, refining multi-section designs, developing interchangeable tips, creating super-compact rod sections, improving reverse rod joints, and introducing our new SRF fishing rod blank material.
The result is the Rigged and Ready X5 Spin-Fly Fishing Rod: a truly multi-functional rod built for today’s anglers who demand performance, portability, and reliability in one complete system.
Blending classic inspiration with cutting-edge technology, the X5, in our X Series™ is designed to be the ultimate companion for those who want to travel light, fish smarter, and embrace every fishing opportunity.
Because with the Rigged and Ready X5 and X Series™, you really can Go Anywhere and Fish Everywhere.
