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Category Archives: Tenkara Rods

Tenkara Rod Plug

Hi-vis Tenkara Rod Plug Holders

There’s a long running joke in tenkara about losing your rod plug or end cap. Most rod plugs are either black or wood colored making them the perfect chameleon when dropped on the forest floor or river bank. And it’s not always easy to find a replacement. But Minimalist Gear Co. has come up with…

February 4, 20221 CommentTenkara RodsBy Jason Klass

Tanuki Tenkara Pocket Ninja

Tenkara Tanuki Pocket Ninja

My experience with fly fishing gear (and gear in general) is that whenever something tries to be two things at once, it’s usually not good at either of them. Think fly/spin combos. I’ve never seen one that was both a good fly rod AND a good spin rod. It seems that there is always some…

June 17, 20204 CommentsTenkara RodsBy Jason Klass

Tenkara USA Ebisu

Tenkara USA Announces Reissue of Ebisu Rod

At the 2019 Tenkara Summit today, Tenkara USA made a pretty big announcement: the reissue and redesign of their discontinued Ebisu rod. The Ebisu was a favorite among many early adopters of tenkara in the West because of its soft 5:5 action and many lamented its demise. But I think many will be glad to…

July 27, 20192 CommentsTenkara RodsBy Jason Klass

Tenkara Tanuki Ninja Rod Review

Tenkara Tanuki Ninja Rod Review

When my friend Luong Tam of Tenkara Tanuki first told me he was designing a new rod called the “Ninja”, I have to admit I wasn’t exactly excited. I was already a fan of his Snow 325 and other rods I had cast at trade shows and didn’t see how he could really improve on…

June 28, 2019Leave a commentTenkara RodsBy Jason Klass

How to choose a tenkara rods

Tenkara Rod Grips: Cork, Foam, Wood, or Other?

I remember back in maybe 2011 or 2012, there was a quite lengthy debate online regarding tenkara rod handles. It started when people began using fixed-line rods such as Keiryu and Seiryu rods for tenkara. Many of those rods didn’t have what would be considered a “grip” (the handle of the rod was just the…

June 16, 201911 CommentsTenkara RodsBy Jason Klass

Tenkara no Oni Type III Rod Review

Tenkara no Oni Type III Rod Review

If you follow this blog or my tenkara Facebook page, you’ve probably seen pictures of me holding one of four rods in my trip reports: The Oni Type I, the Tenkara USA Ito, the Oni Type III, and more recently, the Tanuki Snow 325. That’s because these are my four favorites–each with its own unique…

June 13, 20199 CommentsTenkara RodsBy Jason Klass

Zen Tenkara Suimenka

Zen Tenkara Suimenka Rod

In an industry full of “me too” companies, Zen Tenkara has always stood out in my mind as one that isn’t afraid to stray from the pack, break with convention, and do their own thing. Owner Karin Miller’s tagline is “Defining American Tenkara”, and whichever side of the whole “what is and isn’t tenkara” debate…

March 12, 20196 CommentsTenkara RodsBy Jason Klass

Universal Tenkara Rod Cap

Dynwave Universal Tenkara Rod Caps

For those of you who are familiar with so-called “universal rod caps”, you know they’re worth having a few on hand for when you inevitably lose your rod plugs to the same vortex that also devours guitar picks and socks. If you’re not, then you’ll be happy you read this. “Universal rod caps” are exactly…

March 9, 20193 CommentsTenkara RodsBy Jason Klass

Tenkara Tanuki Snow 325

Tenkara Tanuki Snow 325 Rod

Ever since the 2017 Denver Fly Fishing Show when I first cast a Tanuki rod, I’ve wanted one. Though I had corresponded with the company’s owner, Luong Tam, over the years, it was the first time we’d met in person and I got a glimpse into his unique and sharply honed tenkara rod design theory.…

December 30, 20185 CommentsTenkara RodsBy Jason Klass

Dragontail Nirvana 400 Tenkara Rod

DRAGONtail Nirvana 400 Tenkara Rod

I recently had a chance to try out the newly designed NIRVANA 400 tenkara rod from DRAGONtail Tenkara and have nothing but good things to say about it. I’ve known the company and its owner, Brent Auger, for several years now and have always been impressed by how they’ve consistently put out tenkara gear that…

December 9, 20187 CommentsTenkara RodsBy Jason Klass

Three Rivers Confluence Tenkara Rod

Three Rivers Tenkara Confluence Rod

I’ll admit it. I’ve been keeping a secret from you. I’ve had this rod for several months and am just now getting around to writing a review of it. It wasn’t on purpose. Life just gets in the way sometimes. But if anything, it’s give me a chance to really put through its paces and…

September 13, 20182 CommentsTenkara RodsBy Jason Klass

Discover Tenkara Karasu

Discover Tenkara Karasu Rod

Back when I started tenkara fishing, there were really only a handful of rods available in the U.S. It was easy to differentiate them because there just weren’t that many choices. And it was nearly impossible to get rods directly from Japan because of the exorbitant prices, slow shipping times, and language barrier. Fast forward…

July 31, 20178 CommentsTenkara RodsBy Jason Klass
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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 >>

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