I go to Mexico every year. Trip coming up in a few weeks. I always bring my fly rod. I carry on my backpack and place the rod tube vertically in the backpack. It sticks out a bit but it looks like one carry on. Once on the plane, I take the rod out of the backpack and place it in the overhead bin and the backpack stays with me under the seat. I check in my suitcase. It has my waistpack, reel, flies, plyers, nippers, leader material. I always debate putting my reel in here as opposed to carrying it on but so far, no problems. I usually fly Westjet. When going through customs, they will usually want to open up the tube to have a look. I did see another guy a few years ago with the rod tube in the backpack like I have it. It prompted a question from one of the passengers "what are those things?"