Fetching details from the dictionary...

counter for poles, rods, etc.
祖父は手作りの竿で川釣りを楽しんだ。
My grandfather enjoyed river fishing with a handmade rod.
祖父は竿を手に、川で静かに釣りに興じた。
Grandfather quietly indulged in fishing in the river with a rod in hand.
物干し竿に洗濯物を干して、太陽の下で乾かす。
竿 was important.