Tenkara Path Spring Fly Holder Line Spool
I’ve always been drawn to unique gear and have a special penchant for interesting tenkara line holders. I have a wooden line spool that I got at the Tenkara Summit that was handmade by Dr. Ishigaki’s friend. It’s gorgeous (see it here) but there’s one small drawback. The hole in the center is too large to carry on a tenkara rod (the rod slips right through). If it weren’t for this one detail, I’d probably use it a lot more but most of the time, it sits on my tying desk as a muse.
So I was pretty excited when I came across another beautiful wooden line spool from a company called Zen Flyfishing Gear. After getting over its aesthetics, I realized that this spool has a smaller hole that would stop at the rod grip, allowing me to carry it on the rod! The hole is just big enough to fit on even the thickest tenkara rods I own.
The spool is 3″ in diameter with a 1/2″ groove. At first, I thought it was a little too deep and the smaller inside diameter would slow down the winding process. But it didn’t to any noticable degree. Then, I read on the company’s website that it’s actually intended to store two lines, so then it made sense. One application I can see for this is to leave a “backup” line on the spool and just wind your main line over it. That would increase the diameter of the inside hub while giving you a plan B in case something catastrophic happens to your main line.
The are notches around the rim to hold your fly and secure the end of the line when you’re finished winding up. The notches are spaced out perfectly to accommodate any line length. One thing to note is that the notches seem to hold the ends of furled lines better that level lines (probably because the girth hitch connector is thicker). It will hold a level line, just not as tightly as a furled line.
Now, the best part. This is probably one of the most beautiful looking tenkara line spools I’ve ever seen. It features a “yin-yang” inset with two leaping trout and the word “tenkara” written in katakana.
It may be laser engraved, but this spool still looks like it stepped right out of the ancient mountain fishing villages of Japan.
Now, I finally have a spool that is both beautiful and practical. And, at only $20, I can actually use it without having to treat it like a Faberge egg.
To get one, visit the Zen Flyfishing Gear website.
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I think I have to have one! It would go well with a certain silk line…
Absolutely beautiful! I think this will definitely make my wish list!
Jason, I love the fact that not only do you keep us abreast of the long-standing history and recent technological advancements of Tenkara, but you also bring us the artistic aspect of the sport. Fishing Tenkara really is an art form in itself, and it is nice to see you recognize and honor that with these ‘purple cow’ posts. No one else does that to the same degree as you.
If you check the site, these guys also make a nice fly box that looks like it may even be able to be utilized as a spool, but I ordered one of each anyway. I wonder how well their rods perform?
The wood fly box and spool will coordinate will with the bamboo-handled Oni rod and the fire-tempered bamboo rod quiver Richard at flyfishingartwork custom-built for it, both of which rest under an original gyotaku painting from Kirby at freshcatchgyotaku.
You turned me, and I’m certain many others, on to all of these artists and their work, which has added another dimension to this relaxing escape back TO reality.
Keep the wealth of knowledge coming and enjoy the holidays with your loved-ones!
Michael
Hi Michael,
Thanks, I try to keep the posts diverse so it’s not just the same thing every time.
I also have the box and will have a review of it up soon. It is even better in real life than it looks in the pictures. I think you’ll be happy with it.
I have one of their rods too. It’s a “good” rod, but nothing special. No purple cow. But I talked to the owner of the company and he said they are working on some new designs for the new year so we’ll see what they come out with. Personally, I’d like to see more wood products from them, like nets and things since that seems to be what they do best.
I have two of them, I use one for tippet to witch I added one of those girl hair elastic to keep the tippet from unraveling. The other I keep my lines in. I have a titanium, level, furled and floating shooting line in one spool. I attached a girth hitch to all my lines this way they hook nicely in the grooves. Note that there is a small hole at the bottom of each grooves to hook your fly this prevents your line from catching the hook.