Skip to main content

Exciting New Riversmith Swiftcast Raft Rod Holders, Reviewed

Drift-boat amenities in your go-anywhere raft.

Exciting New Riversmith Swiftcast Raft Rod Holders, Reviewed

$350 | riversmith.com (Photo courtesy Riversmith)

Unless you’re Bob Vila or Ron Swanson, your raft’s homemade rod tubes are probably less than ideal. The beefy straight white PVC tubes on my Outcast PAC 1300 left a lot to be desired.

Which is why I was stoked to see Riversmith’s new Swiftcast Rod Holders, which were smartly designed specifically for protecting fly rods on fishing rafts.

While the ultimate goal of these tubes is rod protection, they are also sleek with minimal snag points. The orange pipe clips keep the tip sections connected but allow them to pivot with your boat (and even have a slight curvature on the clip tabs that sit perfectly on an 18-inch-diameter raft tube). The reel box allows water to drain, and the tie-downs keep your reel snug.

Swiftcasts are simple to install–you just need an Allen wrench and maybe a half hour. That said, they not completely foolproof–I managed in install the pipe clips with the tabs facing outside, promptly kicked one off and then lost it (Riversmith immediately sent replacements).

I also eventually figured out that your rods are supposed to sit reel up, so that the full length of the rod is protected inside the tube (see image–my IQ is sometimes around room temperature).

A Riversmith Swiftcast raft rod holder with rod and reel being lifted out.
Rods comfortably sit reel-up in the Swiftcast. (Image courtesy of Riversmith)

Swiftcasts can be installed on the inside or outside of the oar tower, or two on the same side. The open end can face the bow or the stern, so that either angler can access the rods (or both, if you get two).

They are durable and impact resistant, which we learned when my kiddo was practicing rowing in a 30-mph downstream wind. They are also UV stable so can handle being outside without degradation.

They fit virtually any raft and without adding bulk–they were perfect on my Outcast 13-footer. They can be gently stepped on, but I don’t recommend pulling yourself on board with them.

Swiftcasts hold rods up to 10 feet and 10 weight–which slip seamlessly into and out of the enclosed portion. It is possible to fit two small or medium rods per holder, but some tangling is possible if you’re not careful.

These cases are available for preorder now and will ship on May 1.

Bring your versatile raft one step closer to drift-boat comfortability with these crafty Riversmith Swiftcasts.

$350 | riversmith.com

Recommended


A young angler standing beside a fishing raft.
Riversmith Swiftcast raft rod holders wrap around virtually any raft's bow or stern (note that the orange pipe clip tabs should go inside of the pipe to prevent kicks–whoopsie). (Joshua Bergan photo)



GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

From Patagonia: “Each time we remove a dam, life comes rushing back in. For years, we've known that dams are lethal. Now...
Destinations/Species

Simms Presents - Destination: Skeena

From Patagonia: “Each time we remove a dam, life comes rushing back in. For years, we've known that dams are lethal. Now...
News

Just Do It: Nike and Drake Plunge into Fly Fishing

From Patagonia: “Each time we remove a dam, life comes rushing back in. For years, we've known that dams are lethal. Now...
News

Abel x Nocta Fly Reel

From Patagonia: “Each time we remove a dam, life comes rushing back in. For years, we've known that dams are lethal. Now...
How-To/Techniques

G. Loomis's “Feel Connected” Episode 2: "Rolled Up"

From Patagonia: “Each time we remove a dam, life comes rushing back in. For years, we've known that dams are lethal. Now...
Gear

How to Tie Chicone's Magnum Mantis Fly

From Patagonia: “Each time we remove a dam, life comes rushing back in. For years, we've known that dams are lethal. Now...
How-To/Techniques

Fly Tier's Bench: How to Tie Egan's Poacher

From Patagonia: “Each time we remove a dam, life comes rushing back in. For years, we've known that dams are lethal. Now...
How-To/Techniques

Small Stream Hopper Fishing

From Patagonia: “Each time we remove a dam, life comes rushing back in. For years, we've known that dams are lethal. Now...
Destinations/Species

The Tightest Line

From Patagonia: “Each time we remove a dam, life comes rushing back in. For years, we've known that dams are lethal. Now...
How-To/Techniques

How to Tie Craven's Mr. Jones Dry Fly

From Patagonia: “Each time we remove a dam, life comes rushing back in. For years, we've known that dams are lethal. Now...
How-To/Techniques

How to Tie Craven's Mr. Jones Dry Fly

From Patagonia: “Each time we remove a dam, life comes rushing back in. For years, we've known that dams are lethal. Now...
How-To/Techniques

How to Fight Trout Effectively and Get them in the Net Quickly

From Patagonia: “Each time we remove a dam, life comes rushing back in. For years, we've known that dams are lethal. Now...
News

Patagonia Advocates for Dam Removal

Fly Fisherman Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Get the Fly Fisherman App apple store google play store

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get the top Fly Fisherman stories delivered right to your inbox.

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Fly Fisherman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now

Never Miss a Thing.

Get the Newsletter

Get the top Fly Fisherman stories delivered right to your inbox.

By signing up, I acknowledge that my email address is valid, and have read and accept the Terms of Use