TFO is now selling Tenkara rods!

[bluegill576 0]

Just saw that TFO is now selling a tenkara rod. It is called the "soft hackle" and retails for $199. I think it won't be that good because they have probably made it too stiff and too much like a western rod in its action, but hopefully they will have some good rods in the future. What it does have going for it is a lifetime warranty and it comes with spare top sections. It's still pretty crazy that a big western rod manufacturer is now making tenkara rods!

 

http://www.blue-ribbon-flies.com/shop/tfo_tenkara_soft_hackle_rods/

[Druce 0]

That sounds like a really good deal actually if i had small enough streams id buy it

[flytire 0]

maybe lefty kreh finally came to his senses and realized tenkara wasn't just a fad!

 

http://www.tenkarausa.com/blog/?p=2060

[KHoss 0]

maybe lefty kreh finally came to his senses and realized tenkara wasn't just a fad!

 

http://www.tenkarausa.com/blog/?p=2060

 

fuck that tenkaddarrada guy... seriously

[Kirk Dietrich 0]

I was using a Tenkara rod when I was 4 years old, it was called a cane pole back then! In fact, they still make them in cane and similarly there are crappie rods made from glass that are telescoping. I don't care if Tenkara is a 1000 year old Chinese way of fishing and it isn't a fad, its still a load of crap. If you like it, more power to you, no insult intended, just saying...

 

Kirk

[KHoss 0]

[Possumpoint 0]

About a month ago, I was fishing Lake Orange in Virginia and saw a guy using the Tenkara system. Looked doable for close in fishing. Have watched a video of Tenkara fisherman in Japan and their casting technique. System works for close in fishing.

 

I would want a hybrid system of a long pole that can be used the Tenkara way and yet is equipped with reel and line so that it can be cast further when and if needed. I hope I've stumble into that. Bought an 11' jigging pole on clearance for $20. Been practicing with it on 6wt and 8wt lines. Casts the 6 okay and the 8 very well. For fly fishing, it is a very slow action rod. Just ordered a 7wt line for it this morning.

 

Fad or not, thought I'd give it a try. Only draw back is it is a two piece rod so you'd have the carry longer sections back into tighter areas. I originally bought it with thoughts of salt water fishing but I think the rod is too soft for that.

[bluegill576 0]

I really wish at this point that we could have constructive conversations on tenkara on the forum rather than say how it is cane pole fishing that you did as a kid.

 

 

About a month ago, I was fishing Lake Orange in Virginia and saw a guy using the Tenkara system. Looked doable for close in fishing. Have watched a video of Tenkara fisherman in Japan and their casting technique. System works for close in fishing.

 

I would want a hybrid system of a long pole that can be used the Tenkara way and yet is equipped with reel and line so that it can be cast further when and if needed. I hope I've stumble into that. Bought an 11' jigging pole on clearance for $20. Been practicing with it on 6wt and 8wt lines. Casts the 6 okay and the 8 very well. For fly fishing, it is a very slow action rod. Just ordered a 7wt line for it this morning.

 

Fad or not, thought I'd give it a try. Only draw back is it is a two piece rod so you'd have the carry longer sections back into tighter areas. I originally bought it with thoughts of salt water fishing but I think the rod is too soft for that.

I tried this too before I bought a real tenkara rod. It does not work, just save the money for a cheaper tenkara rod (~$60). It is way way too stiff and heavy to use in any way as a tenkara rod. It doesn't have the soft tip that protects your lighter tippet. Also when you use it as a tenkara rod you will be putting all the stress on the tip which is not designed to handle it. While those rods cast a 6-8 weight line, a tenkara rod casts a line lighter than a 000 weight line.

[KHoss 0]

I really wish at this point that we could have constructive conversations on tenkara on the forum rather than say how it is cane pole fishing that you did as a kid.

 

 

here is some contructive conversation...

 

XXXXX tenkadarradda USA

the flies are shitty

the tech is a gimmic

and the guy spearheading it is a douchebag and tried to build a name off attacking an out of context comment form LK and TFO

its a bunch of fruitloops drinking tea and being pretentious

[Johny Utah 0]

I dont see it listed on there site. I love my tfo rods, and would be very interested in trying this rod out, shame Craig is across the country from me!

 

Here is an excellent review on the rod.

tenkara bum soft hackle rod review

[KHoss 0]

they had one at IFTD as a soon to be released product

 

who is craig?

[AlexC 0]

Just saw that TFO is now selling a tenkara rod. It is called the "soft hackle" and retails for $199. I think it won't be that good because they have probably made it too stiff and too much like a western rod in its action, but hopefully they will have some good rods in the future. What it does have going for it is a lifetime warranty and it comes with spare top sections. It's still pretty crazy that a big western rod manufacturer is now making tenkara rods!

 

http://www.blue-ribbon-flies.com/shop/tfo_tenkara_soft_hackle_rods/

 

Wow. You can judge a rod without even casting it? You must be pretty good.

[Johny Utah 0]

they had one at IFTD as a soon to be released product

 

who is craig?

 

Craig Mathews Owner of Blue ribbon flies

[JSzymczyk 0]

So then, one of the tenkara guy's criteria that it is not a fad is: someone got a tattoo of tenkara.

 

For all we know the tattoo could mean "roundeye eat duck sausage" but I guess that is beside the point.

 

Lefty Kreh has expertly fished more, for more species, in more circumstances, with more methods, in more places, than any 10 or probably 100 of us combined. He has been a prime innovator in the sport fishing industry on many fronts for longer than many of us have been alive. At well over 80 he can cast a fly line long, short, in between, or anywhere with accuracy which is astounding. For someone to allude that in fly casting "there is Lefty's way, and there is the right way" is just purely ignorant arrogance (that was one of the comments to the article- along with "Lefty was great in his time"). If the topic is fishing in any form, and Lefty Kreh talks about it, people should listen.

 

Tenkara will never approach "WESTERN" fly fishing in popularity for a variety of reasons. The almost religious fundamentalism being displayed by the cultists is not helping their cause. ANYONE can take a fly rod, thread it with a section of line and a leader, and fish fixed-line style if they want. It doesn't take a $200 rod blank and a big attitude to do it.

 

I'll say it again, I lived in Japan twenty-some years ago and I was exposed to Tenkara methodology while I was there. What's being MARKETED here ain't quite the same. It CAN'T be, and it never will be.

[oldtrout58 0]

I would like to try Tenkara someday and if I ever happen upon someone fishing that way I may stop and watch for awhile. I don't understand the animosity(that I've seen on other boards) toward this method of fishing with a fly. It's the same thing with bobber(indicator) fly fishing. If you don't like fishing that way, then don't fish that way. If someone enjoys employing legal fishing methods that I don't care for, good for them! We do this for our enjoyment and what I enjoy may be different than what you enjoy.