lol
I was earlier going to suggest as a tip, using a band to strap the rod to your wrist to prevent breaking it, but I think you came up with a cool li'l idea there yourself....hooking the rod under your sleeve. Genius!
I didn't come up with the idea. The guide suggested that as during the 4 hr trip it came into a massive rain. He as suggested that we bring along rain gear as a front was coming in. We did it all during a rain that would have driven most off the stream, but we both agreed to hang in there. Lightning forced us into shelter under a bridge at the evening hole, but when the front passed, it was right back after it. We ended up going below the low water dam, for the end of the trip to fish the minnow streamers.