Gear

Riversmith River Quiver Fly Rod Carrier

If you want to leave your rods strung up, be smart and get a rod carrier for your vehicle.

Kirk Deeter

April 16, 2025

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Riversmith | River Quiver Fly Rod Carrier

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product description

“Considered to be the best fly rod roof rack on the market, the River Quiver sports superior functionality and strength in all its details and at the same time conceals its technological superiority within a sophisticated exterior design. The River Quiver is understated, sleek and timeless.” – Riversmith

company ethos

“Riversmith products are designed to elevate the fly fishing experience. The journey is ongoing, and we remain dedicated to enhancing your fly fishing adventures, one meticulously crafted product at a time.” – Riversmith

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Why do I think I need a rod carrier for the roof of my vehicle?

Because I’m lazy.

Make no mistake, the safest way to transport fly rods from home to the river (or ocean) and back again has always been to break them down, put them in the sleeves and tubes they came in, then put ‘em back together when you get to your destination, and vice versa.

But what fun is that? That’s tedium! If you’re like me, you want to pull up next to the water, pre-loaded for bear, pop out and get after it. And if you’re “dialed,” you already have the exact rig ready to roll. It worked yesterday, it’s probably going to work tomorrow–why the hell should I diddle around, wasting time with the same setup routine?

Heck, driving around town with a rod rack also shows you’re part of the fly-fishing tribe. Some might call that geeky, but I happen to think it’s cool.

Alas, I’ve been through the fly-rod carrier learning curve. I first stuck rods under my windshield wipers and broke about 3-4 rods on tree branches that way. I had the magnetic pads that inevitably picked up grit and left permanent scratches on the hood of my SUV, which sucked.

Most recently, I had a two-rod carrier on top of my Jeep until my son drove it into the garage door as it was still lifting (he apparently likes to feel like Batman driving into the Bat Cave…), which peeled it off like opening canned peaches. Totally destroyed. Dad was heartbroken.

But, making lemonade out of lemons, that gave me the chance to upgrade to a rod carrier I’d had my eyes on for years, and desperately wanted to check out.

The Riversmith River Quiver indeed turned out to be, by far, the best rod carrier I’ve used and I don’t think I’ll ever switch. I’ve even forgiven my son for tearing the last one off my Jeep. Why?

First off, I got a 4-banger instead of a two-rod holder. Two was okay, four is way better. Streamer rod, nymph rod, dry-fly rod and shorter, fiberglass backcountry rod for small streams. That’s my trout world. Enough said.
At 10-feet, 4-inches in length, this carrier lets me mix and match any single-handed setup I use in the area I live, no problem. The company makes different versions for broken down (half) rods, truck beds, longer, Euro-nymphing rods/switch rods, but the 10-4 covers 99-percent of trout anglers like myself.
It might seem like a small engineering deal, but this carrier opens side-to-side, instead of up and down. Why does that matter? Because gravity, the wind and other factors caused my last up-down rod carrier to slam shut, which broke at least three rods, making me wonder “WTF” and why I bothered with a rod carrier in the first place.
It takes time and effort to assemble and put on your vehicle, but the instructions are intuitive and clear, and if you bother to do it right (minimizing gaps between the two segments) it’s worth it.
I drive a Jeep, so everything is loud, but I can’t hear any rattles or other road noises associated with this rack. I did with my last one.

There are three different types of mounts. I’d definitely pop for the quick-release version, in case you feel like taking it off to go through the car wash, etc., but, for the record, I’ve been through the automatic car wash several times with it on, and no problem.

Definitely take the time to follow the instructions to a “T.” Use the provided sticky padding to line the casing where your reels will be, in accordance with the instructions. Your reels will thank you.

This is a very well engineered, clearly thought-out product, and if you follow the directions to the letter, you’ll be happy in the long run. I wholeheartedly recommend it.

Pros

Side-to-side opening, so you’d have to be a total klutz to smash a rod tip in it, unlike those that open up and down.

Excellent, easy-to-follow installation instructions that don’t require weird tools or techniques. Just know the type of crossbar racks your vehicle has.

Durable, solid mounting, and with quick release mounts it can pop off as well, within seconds.

Proven ability to protect rods, and get you to the water, ready to fish.

Cons

Lining up the sections and ensuring no gaps might take a few tries as you assemble, and you definitely need a flat space to work on.

It locks every time you shut it, so make sure the key is included with your car keys. Other rod carriers might allow you to leave them unlocked and able to open with a button push, but it’s probably, actually, smarter to keep the thing locked when it’s closed.

As with any roof rack–for skis, cargo, bikes, or otherwise–you’re definitely changing the character of your vehicle when it comes to wind resistance, road noise, etc. Be willing to live with that.

If you are a stickler about potential rubbing/wear and tear on your rods–as with any rod carrier, whether you put your rods in upside-down or rightside-up, you’re probably best off buying a $15 rod sleeve, and then sliding your rods into the carrier with that wrapped around the blanks.

I actually did a price analysis of several rod carriers, and the River Quiver came in at the lowest price point, for what I was looking for, with the best functional features. There are a couple other rod carrier systems that can closely compete, to be sure, but compared to most options out there, this is the best bargain. End of story.

Price: $500 - $1275 (depends on mounting system / colors)
Length: 10-feet 5-¾-inches (accommodates rods up to 10-foot 4-inches)
Width: 2-Banger 8-inches, 4-Banger 14.2-inches
Height: 7.4-inches
Height off Crossbar: 3-⅜-inches - 6-inches depending on mounts
Weight: 2-Banger 22 pounds, 4-Banger 44 pounds
Liner: polypropylene for rod protection
Reel Box: padded and locking
Warranty information: Riversmith limited lifetime warranty

River Quiver feature overview.

Military shake table testing for the River Quiver Fly Rod Carrier.

Riversmith limited lifetime warranty.

“Riversmith takes pride in the products we manufacture and will warrant that all of our products will be free from defects in workmanship and materials for the life of the product to the original purchaser (“you”), subject to the below conditions:

Product was purchased from a Riversmith authorized dealer.
You can provide proof of purchase from the Riversmith authorized dealer.
The product was used only as intended and in accordance with the Riversmith installation guide.

If a defect occurs during intended use (according to the installation guide), we will replace, at our discretion, the defective product or part. The warranty does not cover defects caused by misuse, overloading, modifications, or improper assembly. Cosmetic damage, loss, theft, normal wear and tear, and the natural breakdown of colors and materials over time and use are not warranted. If damage is deemed outside of the scope of this warranty, replacement parts will be available at discounted prices.”

What others say

“One thing to think about with any rod rack on the outside of your vehicle is theft. It’s a well known social phenomena that has emerged with the advent of these products. You’re basically letting any thieves know: 1. There are expensive rods and reels in the transport rack 2. There very well could be (more) expensive gear in your car. Something to consider before purchasing, depending on where you live.” – Tim Romano

Conclusion

I’m a River Quiver guy. There it is. I’m done messing around with improvised approaches to get my rods to the river and back, and I’m not meticulous enough to waste time breaking down and reassembling rods every time I go to the river, which is pretty much every other day or so.

I like having my setups set up. And when I get to the river, I want to pull a rod out and go fishing. I like having spares/options, not only for myself, but also in case I’m bringing someone else along. Heck, if I were still a guide, I couldn’t imagine not having a rod carrier like this to have rods rigged and ready for my clients.

I’ve paid my dues and broken way too many rods, unnecessarily, by trying to cut corners and work around investing in a rod carrier that actually works.

I’m done. I learned my lesson.

The River Quiver 4-Banger now sits atop the “Troutmobile” and that’s where it’s gonna stay.

No more shopping around–just fishing.

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