I'm in the process of trying to find a 3-4 pc steelhead rod. Something 8-1/2 to 9 ft. All I've found so far is some real cheap Chinese ones on eBay, and Santiam rods. Anyone have any experience with the Santiam rods, or any other ideas? Appreciate it, thanks

I have a Santiam hali rod. Reel seat is not exactly lined up with the guides. And the mating of the metal ferrules is loose. The butt cap was not as tight as the Lami one I have.

I was looking for a 9' travel Rod also, Cabela's has a few, need to buy a G-Lummis Fly Rod 4 pc blank and have buddy make it a casting rod. I fish the Sanibel Island in Florida Gulf with friend every spring, his rod and reels are not the quality that I like...I bring my 9wt Fly rod for the beach but does not work when out fishing for groupers and the array of fish in the Gulf...

Lots of options in this category.

Both cabelas and bass pro have a few different rods that work fairly well and don't cost much

Probably too short, but another option.
https://tforods.com/tfg-travel-rods/

I think your best bet is as mentioned, find a 4 pc fly rod blank and have someone wrap it with the components you want.
SF

This site has some travel rods from okuma

http://www.fish-united.com/products/Okuma-SST-Travel-Spinning-Rods.html

OK...I got to ask......what are you travel plans, that make you feel you have to have a 4 piece steelhead rod?????

I mean, wouldn't a 2 piece rod be able to be shipped or checked at any travel mode you would choose?????

Just seems, this is a big hassle.......heck, maybe even plan on just buying a rod, when you get where you are going....

Heck if there were many persons in a situation......there would be lots of 4 piece available for purchase.....

Just wondering......

Thanks guys. Planning a hike in steelhead trip, and the thought of breaking a rod and not having a spare scares me. And I've packed extra 2 piece rods before, it's just a pain.

Thanks for your answer.....been so long since I did a "walk in", that I forgot how nice it was to have "Wright & McGill" 7 1/2', 4 piece rod that fit in a aluminum case.......oh to able to turn back the clock to the 1950's

I had three 7 ft. Fenwick Glasply rods cut down to four pieces and fitted with metal ferrules by Greg's in Lake Stevens. If you check with Greg he will give you an honest answer and a fair price. I have used these rods on multiple trips to Alaska. If you have a steelhead rod that he might be able to convert to a four piece you might give him a call. My old Fenwick's fit into a carry-on travel suitcase which is 22 inches long.

Thanks. I'll check with Greg. Appreciate it

I have about fifteen 3 and 4 piece travel rods, well, maybe more. I can carry on about 10 at a time easily, makes it very nice to have an assortment of rods when flying to a location. No baggage fees, or stolen and/or broken rods either.

I have a couple 8'6" and 9' rods that work very well, each under $100, well under $100 in fact.

https://www.sierratradingpost.com/abu-garcia-telescopic-casting-rod-86-medium-heavy~p~310af/?filterString=gear~d~4868%2F
Sierra Trading post .com has this rod for $40

When this popped back up I dug through the stack of rods leaning near my desk to find the right one.

The Fenwick EA86M-MS-4 (01G15BK) is the best low cost rod for hiking in.

8'6"
Spinning
4 pc
8-20 lb (feels light for 20 lb)

This is much lighter and better feeling in your hand than the others I've fiddled with, most people would be surprised at how good it feels.

All for $89.99 at Bass Pro, Cabela's and others.

I also have a Wright McGill bait caster, 9' 4 pc, but it's a bit heavier action, would work well for larger nates and kings.

Buying blanks and having them cut and wrapped can get pricy when there's good stuff available off the shelf for this purpose.

Talon makes a 4 pc 8 !/2 ft. steelhead/ coho rod, 8 to 20 lb if I remember right, they also make a 3 piece salmon rod, 9 ft. 12 - 30 lb if I remember right. Want to wrap your own? Angler's Workshop carries the blanks.

I have built a couple travel rods for my father in law so he doesn't have to check his rod tube when traveling to Mexico or Alaska. I took RX7 rainshadow Fly rod 4piece blanks and built one as a spinning rod, and one as a baitcaster. He built a custom tube with a sling for traveling. Turned out sweet.

If you're thinking about going with the converted fly blank, the TFO BVK blanks in 10 and 12 wt. are real powerful for their ratings and have a pretty fast action for fly blanks. If I remember right the 10 wt. when tested using the Common Cents system spec'd out in the 14 wt. range, a Sage TCR 10 wt, spec'd out in the high 12 wt. range. Never had a 12 wt. BVK around to measure, but they say it's a real meat rod.
As fly blanks go the TFOs are a good value.