For the past couple of years I've had a Fenwick HMG 3 piece 7 foot pack rod (GPLS70M) rated for 6-15lb line. I use 10lb line with it, and bought it through Cabela's. In 1998 it was $90.

I use it for steelhead when hiking long distances through thick woods to get away from the crowd. It's a little light for the fishing I do but works OK on fish to about 12-13lbs.

It's also short enough broken down to fit diagonally into a large suitcase (or for that matter, hand carry on the plane). My only complaint is that the stripper guide has such a large diameter that the rod has too big a diameter to fit into standard rod cases and the rod itself is shipped in a cardboard tube (and a rod bag).

I've made do by wrapping the cardboard in waterproof tape but what I really need is a plastic or metal tube 2 3/4" x 29" Anyone have any ideas?