Tenkara TalkTenkara Talk
Tenkara Talk
a tenkara fly fishing blog
Search Tenkara Talk
  • Home
  • Tenkara Gear
    • Tenkara Rods
    • Tenkara Lines
    • Line Holders & Spools
    • Fly Boxes
    • Nets
    • Packs, Organization & Storage
    • Clothing & Accessories
    • Wading Gear
  • Flies & Fly Tying
  • How-To & Resources
    • What is Tenkara?
    • Tenkara 101
    • Presentation Techniques
    • Streamcraft
    • Tenkara Videos
    • Tenkara Knots
    • DIY & Hacks
    • Warmwater Tenkara
    • Books & Media
  • News & Fun
    • Trip Reports
    • Interviews
    • Philosophy
    • Humor
    • Art
    • Tenkara News
    • Events
  • Tenkara Links
  • About Me
  • Contact
FacebookTwitterYouTubePinterestInstagram
  • Home
  • Tenkara Gear
    • Tenkara Rods
    • Tenkara Lines
    • Line Holders & Spools
    • Fly Boxes
    • Nets
    • Packs, Organization & Storage
    • Clothing & Accessories
    • Wading Gear
  • Flies & Fly Tying
  • How-To & Resources
    • What is Tenkara?
    • Tenkara 101
    • Presentation Techniques
    • Streamcraft
    • Tenkara Videos
    • Tenkara Knots
    • DIY & Hacks
    • Warmwater Tenkara
    • Books & Media
  • News & Fun
    • Trip Reports
    • Interviews
    • Philosophy
    • Humor
    • Art
    • Tenkara News
    • Events
  • Tenkara Links
  • About Me
  • Contact

Add a Silencer to your Tenkara Rod

May 29, 201217 CommentsDIY & HacksBy Jason Klass
How to make a tenkara rod quiet

 

Right now, go to your gear closet, man cave, garage, armory, or wherever you keep your fishing gear.  Grab your tenkara rod and shake it (vertically).  Hear that rattle?  It’s the collapsed segments of your rod slamming into the end cap.  No, it isn’t broken.  In fact, most tenkara rods do this–it’s just intrinsic in the design.  While this rattling sound probably won’t damage your rod, it can certainly be annoying (especially on long hikes into your favorite fishing spots).  Luckily, there’s a simple DIY solution you can do with materials you probably already have that will eliminate this.

Some rod manufacturers like Tenkara USA are starting to incorporate small dampeners in the end caps of their rods to cut down on this clamor.  But if you’ve got an older rod from Tenkara USA or a rod from a different manufacturer that doesn’t have this feature, here’s how you can add your own.  All you need is a pair of scissors and some craft foam.  If you tie flies you probably already have some foam lying around.  If not, you can get a sheet at your local craft store for a dollar or less. Here, I’m using a bright color so you’ll be able to see it better in step #3 but you can use any color you want.

Before we start, it’s important to note that there are two common types of end caps.  Some, are hollow and some are solid.  Determine which type of end cap you have first and then follow the appropriate set of steps below.

 

Tenkara Rod Silencer

 

 

For Hollow End Caps

 

1.  Take a piece of craft foam and lay it on a flat surface. Unscrew the end cap from your rod and push the threaded end into the foam to make an impression that will give you and idea of what size you need to cut.

 

Tenkara Rod Silencer 3

 

2.  Now, using scissors, cut out a circle of foam using the INNER ring (from the hollow part) the impression made as a guide.  The goal is to make a circle slightly smaller than this ring that will fit snugly inside the end cap.

 

Tenkara Rod Silencer 4

 

3.  Finally, place the foam disc inside the end cap and push it into the bottom with your finger.

 

Tenkara Rod Silencer 5

 

 

For Solid End Caps

 

1.  Take a piece of craft foam and lay it on a flat surface.  Unscrew the end cap from your rod and push the threaded end into the end cap to make an impression that will give you and idea of what size you need to cut.

 

Tenkara Rod Silencer 6

 

2.  Now, using scissors, cut out a circle of foam using the outer edge of the ring the impression made as a guide.  The goal is to make a circle slightly smaller than this ring that will still fit inside the butt end of the rod.

 

Tenkara Rod Silencer 4

 

3.  Finally, place the foam disc on top of the end cap.  If you want, you can glue it in place but it’s not necessary.

 

Tenkara Rod Silencer 7

 

That’s it!  Now replace the end cap, and give the rod a shake.  Better, isn’t it?  Now you can move from spot to spot like a stealthy tenkara ninja!

About the author

Jason Klass

Jason is an avid fly angler and backpacker. As a former fly fishing guide originally from Western New York, he moved to Colorado and became an early adopter of tenkara which perfectly suited the small, high altitude streams and lakes there. He has not fished a Western-style fly rod for trout since.

Like this article? You might also like these ...
DIY Wine Cork Fly Dryer
DIY Wine Cork Fly Dryer
May 24, 2022
Fly Tying Vise Modifications
2 Ridiculously Simple Hacks for your Fly Tying Vise
April 15, 2022
How to make a DIY Fly Box
December 3, 2021
DIYFly Desiccant
DIY Fly Desiccant
December 6, 2018
DIY Fly Patch
A DIY Fly Drying Patch
November 19, 2018
DIY Fly Tying Tools
DIY Fly-Tying Tools Anyone can Make
July 23, 2018
17 Comments
  1. Reply
    May 29, 2012 at 9:09 pm
    Larry

    Perfect example of simple and precise. Thanks for the post

  2. Reply
    May 30, 2012 at 3:03 am
    Christopher Forsberg

    Great idea!

    • Reply
      May 31, 2012 at 8:22 am
      Christopher Forsberg

      I added one 2mm craft foam discs at a time and now I’m finally done after the sixth one being glued on! No wonder it rattled like crazy, 12 mm of dead space is gone!

      • Reply
        May 31, 2012 at 9:37 am
        Jason Klass

        Chris, nice! Just curious why you wanted to fill up all the slack. Was one disc not quiet enough? I didn’t even think of trying to fill up all the empty space to stop movement altogether. Way to take the idea and run with it!

  3. Reply
    May 30, 2012 at 6:04 am
    craig

    thankyou Mr Klass!!! FINALLY, a simple way to shut that rod up on the way in/out.

  4. Reply
    May 30, 2012 at 9:20 am
    Jason Mills

    I just did this exact modification last night! Great minds think alike ,or is it the 100th monkey phenomenon?

    • Reply
      May 30, 2012 at 9:30 am
      Jason Klass

      Let’s go with the great minds theory. 😉

  5. Reply
    May 31, 2012 at 7:42 am
    D.E.W.

    Why is it that the guys that are crazy all about Tenkara have to have some kind of Japanese writing on their blogs, signatures and so on? Don’t get me wrong I love the sport but isn’t that just overdoing it a bit? By the way great idea I’ll be jumping on that wagon! The quite rod thing that is…

    • Reply
      May 31, 2012 at 9:33 am
      Jason Klass

      Oh, didn’t you know? This is all part of an elaborate scavenger hunt. Every time I post something in Japanese it’s actually a secret clue. Once you put all the clues together and translate them, they will lead you to a fabulous treasure. I guess if you don’t know Japanese you’re out of luck. Sorry.

      • Reply
        May 31, 2012 at 9:51 am
        D.E.W.

        Oh but I will i’m going to bring those clues to the hibachi tonight! Haha! Im not making any digs I was just asking..

        • Reply
          May 31, 2012 at 9:57 am
          Jason Klass

          That’s cheating!

  6. Reply
    June 3, 2012 at 7:18 am
    Robert Worthing

    No need to cut foam, etc. Back in 2010, an even easier solution was described.

    Go to ACE Hardware and buy foam door stops. The kind used to dampen kitchen cabinets. Pre-cut perfect circles in a variety of diameters with a strong, water resistant adhesive backing.

    If you’re lucky, your local ACE will carry the type that comes in a single sheet of various diameters for about $3.00. There is a diameter that will fit any TUSA rod on that sheet.

  7. Reply
    June 3, 2012 at 11:31 pm
    Darrin Terry

    Nice Jason. I did that using a bit of inner tube to both of my Iwanas a couple of weeks ago. Worked a charm. Using fly foam makes sense to.

  8. Reply
    October 23, 2012 at 3:05 pm
    Ken

    A single foam earplug took care of the problem for me. Really soft, takes up the space, and is already bright orange so it is easy to find if I drop it accidentally. Plus I have a spare…at least until I buy another rod! Thanks for the great site!

  9. Reply
    February 21, 2013 at 5:18 pm
    mike

    i found that the felt dots you use to keep furnature from scratching th floor works well…and it come with an adhesive backing.

  10. Reply
    March 13, 2013 at 2:50 pm
    Simon C. Joseph

    I lined the cap of my 9’3″ Iwana handle with a disc of soft leather yesterday. Then I read this and thought “Why didn’t I think of fly tying foam?” Doh.

    • Reply
      March 13, 2013 at 2:56 pm
      Jason Klass

      Simon, hey, leather works too!

Leave Comment

Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>

clear formSubmit

About Me

Jason Klass is a former fly fishing guide & casting instructor based in Colorado. He was an early adopter of tenkara in the West and has been fishing the method for a variety of species since 2009. Read more >>

Get an Email When I Post!

* indicates required



Tenkara Talk Sponsors
Tenkara USA   Dragontail Tenkara     TAO Tenkara   Tenkara Tanuki Tenkara Fisher
Search by Category
Send Jason an Email
Search Tenkara Talk
Tenkara Talk Archives
Tenkara + Backpacking!
Is there any other sport that goes better with tenkara than hiking and backpacking? Be sure to also check out my ultralight and DIY backpacking gear blog.

Tenkara and Backpacking
Latest Posts
  • DIY Wine Cork Fly Dryer
    DIY Wine Cork Fly Dryer
    May 24, 2022
  • Wader Bag
    How I Pack My Wading Gear (+2 Tips)
    May 15, 2022
  • Tenkara Strike Indicator
    New Tenkara Line Sighters (Strike Indicators)
    April 23, 2022
© 2022 | Tenkara Talk by Jason Klass | All rights reserved