Yakima has entered the rod carry market with the new Double Haul rooftop fly rod carrier. The Double Haul brings simplicity; sleek, aerodynamic design; and peace of mind to anyone in need of a secure way to stow fully strung fly rods. 

The Double Haul is a breeze to set up, and all tools needed for assembly are included. It took me a bit less than an hour, though it would likely be less for those familiar with other Yakima products. The carrier is bomber, yet still weighs in under 50 pounds, with four slots that can hold 10ft long single handers, or two collapsed two-handers in the upper slots.

The Double Haul is not only a secure and fashionable way to stow and protect your expensive fly rods; it’s also quite the conversation starter in the Pacific Northwest where many people have never seen anything like it. While rooftop rod carriers are commonplace in other trout-centric locales, in the PNW it’s news. Multiple strangers have stopped me to inquire about it, so be prepared with some unique quips.

So far, it has survived trips to the Washington Coast chasing ling cod and albacore; 5 hour drives to the Klickitat River and Olympic Peninsula in search of steelhead; and countless shorter trips and day missions closer to home with no audible road noise. The rods stay clean, dry and safe. The reel box locks securely and has a lockable plate over the crossbars to prevent methnecks from removing the whole thing.

The reel box is felt-lined to protect from wear marks while in transit: no bumps, bruises or scrapes, especially when making use of reel pouches. Additionally, the tubes are plastic-lined and come with foam inserts to clip onto the smaller sections of fly rods should you choose. Due to the Double Haul’s horizontal stowing design, there’s no unnecessary stress on rod guides, leaving you worry free and able to concentrate on the drive, rather than your rods breaking in the backseat.

In a perfect world, as a spey-centric fisher, it would be great to eventually see capacity for four two-handed rods. It only accommodates two, which nonetheless fit comfortably in the top slots. Larger, big game-sized reels may be a bit of a squeeze. A Sage Evoke 10 and Redington Grande 9/10/11 fit snugly, while most other 12-weight reels should fit in the top slots. 

Perhaps it should have been called the quadruple haul as the Double Haul accommodates four rods. Regardless of name, you’ll drive easy knowing your quiver of rods and reels are riding safely, strung up and ready for when the wheels hit dirt and the driving is done.

The Yakima Double Haul rooftop rod carrier retails for $699 and is available at https://www.yakima.com/doublehaul#rvwdtl2350