I don’t like the Nirvana line holder for my regular level line storage (I prefer the thinner line cards when I’m storing the lines), but the Nirvana line holder is my favorite method of on-the-rod line storage (something I don’t think is even mentioned on the Dragontail site above). Like when moving from fishing spot to fishing spot or when I collapse the rod to bushwhack through brush, for example.
I keep the line holder in my pocket or in a pouch when I’m not using it. When it’s time to move to another location, I collapse the rod (with the line still on it), slide the Nirvana line holder over the top of the rod, friction fit it onto the top end of the rod handle, wind the line around the line holder, and secure the fly using one of the little plastic tabs of the line holder.
I like this much more than the EZ Keepers (they always break, plus they kink the line) or the snap-on line winders (also kink the line, plus they’re ugly on the rod) or the gear ties (also inelegant). Just collapse the rod, slide the Nirvana line holder over the rod, use the little notches in the line holder to secure the line, wind the line, and then use the notches to secure the fly. I think the one I have is the regular (11 mm) size. I may cut off the little hook bar from the line holder since I don’t use it and it gets in the way a bit when sliding the spool onto the rod handle.
I’m wondering if the snap on line winders might benefit from slightly longer ears.
If the ears were longer, you could wind the line on, just that little bit more loosely–eliminating kinks.
The short ears encourage winding the line on more firmly, to ensure it can’t come off.
Just a thought. But it might be worth making and testing a prototype?