Not all rooftop fly rod holders are equal. River Quiver is the #1 choice of fishing guides, outfitters, and retailers. These are professionals who fish every day and choose the best equipment available. Invest in the best, not necessarily the cheapest.
As fly fishers ourselves, we were not satisfied with the quality or functionality of fly rod roof racks that were available so we set out with our team of mechanical engineers to design and build a better fly rod holder for trucks and cars not just in some ways but in every way. From the basic and hugely important task of being hard to break into down to the smallest detail of fit & finish. And, oh yeah, it's all packaged in a sleek and sophisticated design that makes you and your rig look pro. The River Quiver line of fishing rod roof racks- burly strong, super functional, and visually striking rooftop rod holders that are built to maximize your fishing and built to last.
Protect your Investment
A fly fishing rod roof rack is an investment in your fishing and an investment in your vehicle. Choose carefully- it would be disappointing to commit to one that doesn’t quite have the nicest features or look good on your rig.
When we started our design of the Riversmith River Quiver we assigned a team of 3 mechanical engineers to research every aspect of the project in-depth and come up with new product design details for each of them. They were instructed to not be limited by budget or to off-the-shelf materials. They brainstormed, talked, sketched, CAD modeled, argued, prototyped, tested, destroyed, studied the numbers, smiled or frowned, and repeated until each detail was not only good but outstanding.
River Quiver Design
The final design is superb. 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 appearance of the River Quiver is second to none. The visual lines are cohesive and sleek. They do not distract the eye, they do not scream for awkward attention. Other rooftop fishing rod carriers look like antennas or spaceship wings or are made of plumbing pipe. The River Quiver is understated, sleek, and timeless. It compliments all vehicles from the roughest off-road truck to a shiny luxury SUV to a fleet of professional fly fishing guide or fishing outfitter vehicles.
Strength
River Quiver is a fly rod car rack or truck rack and as such certain strength characteristics are taken into account in the custom design. The product must be able to withstand shock loads, wind loads, impact loads, have a versatile mounting system, be aerodynamic and quiet, and be lightweight to not add un-needed pounds and payload to the vehicle.
The River Quiver was designed to be the best in all of these and still be pounds lighter than any other roof rack rod holder. Lighter to install and less load on your vehicle.
Security
River Quiver is the most secure rear entry molded reel box fly rod holder for a car or truck available. One of the greatest details of the RQ is the way the fly rod reel box is designed. The door closure has a super secure tongue and groove joint that locks together, making it almost impossible to insert a screwdriver or pry bar or to flex the lid away from the body. Other cheaper or discounted fly rod holders or vaults have simple overlap closures that are easy to pry or can even be flexed apart with hand pressure.
This detail alone- the tongue and groove joint- sets the River Quiver miles ahead of any others and is a great example of the quality and superiority of great design. The River Quiver also features an incredibly strong AES polymer that resists all attempts at destruction. We have attacked it brutally with a hammer in testing and have not been able to break it.
Ease of Use
The idea of a fly rod holder for trucks and cars is to spend more time fishing by making it easier for fly rod storage and transport. Once again, River Quiver has better features that no other rooftop fly rod carrier or vault has. The side-swing door is by far the best design available. It keeps access low to the ground so you don’t need to jump or stretch or get a ladder to load and unload your rods. It also features a “hold-open hinge” so that when the door is pushed fully open it passes a series of tiny ramps built into the hinge. Those ramps provide resistance from swinging shut if you are parked on a hill or if the wind blows, yet require nothing more than a little tug to release and close.
A basic truth of car top fly rod carriers is that they are on the roof and require a reach-up to operate. Top swing doors make that reach higher and may require a jump or ladder for some people to operate. Top swing doors also slam shut as part of their normal operation and slam shut with even more force when caught by the wind. Hands, fingers, and rods can be caught and damaged.
We don’t like fishing in the wind but it happens. The side-swing door is another example of great product design that nobody else has and makes a huge difference to the functionality and enjoyment of owning the best equipment you can buy.
Aesthetics
There is no substitute for great product and visual design. Anything less is a compromise. You may have a favorite rod or reel that just appeals to you and it is your go-to setup. With River Quiver there is no tradeoff between form and function- it is by far the most functional and best-built fly rod truck rack AND it is by far the sleekest, nicest, most professional-looking fly rod roof rack you can put on your car, truck or SUV.
