Tenkara gear

[Brian Miller]

Do you guys have any thoughts on the Tenkarabum Traveler 44? That seems to be popular.
Also, how do you guys rig up your rods and what kind of flies do you use?

I personally haven't seen the TBum Traveller 44. I do have what I believe its big brother in the Suntech GM-53 Keiryu Special. Suntech makes very nice rods. The Traveller 44 and GM-53 are designed to use 9X to 6X tippet.

Also, the headwaters streams Keiryu rods are designed for do not have room to cast so the longer length of the rods is used to reach fish with a shorter, smaller diameter "Tenjo" line than that used with a Tenkara rod where the rod can be held at a lower angle.


Here is a great explanation for what I think is a longer variation of a traditional "Tenjo" line rig.

The two tippet rings make this setup very adjustable for depth with a minimum of waste.
IMHO the 4-color "Owner yarn markers" with the Tenjo line rig are pure genius. I find using the 4 colors of yarn are like putting neon lights on the line; at least one and usually more of the 4 colors is going to be visible in every lighting situation, against any background, and that really helps with strike detection for deep nymphing.

Some additional references

Keiryu Fishing

Keiryu fishing is similar to tenkara: long rod, light line, mountain streams. Used with bait in Japan, mostly with weighted nymphs in the US.

www.tenkarabum.com

Keiryu Tactical Nymphing

Keiryu Tactical Nymphing, or tactical nymphing with a keiryu rod and line offers some significant advantages over standard Euro-nymphing.

www.tenkarabum.com

I find my Keiryu rod works well with both a Tenjo-style line for nymphing, and longer, larger diameter Tenkara-style lines with weighted nymphs as well as dry-wet flies.
The weighted nymphs I've caught fish with are beadhead sakasa kebari with soft hackle, and standard western-euro nymph patterns.


In the headwaters streams Keiryu rods were originally designed for, a 16" fish is a trophy. After catching some nice fish with my GM-53 rod, for piece of mind I think I would like to have a nymphing rod that is designed for tippet heavier than 6X; at least 5X, possibly 4X.
Also, longer Keiryu rods are tip-heavy and can be somewhat tiring after awhile. I always carry the GM-53 along with my 3.9M T-rod on larger waters but don't have to use it that often to reach (bigger) fish.

Tactical nymphing-big fish-bigger water fixed line rods I'm jonesin' for are:

Gamakatsu MultiFlex Suimu 4.5 EX Tenkara Rod - middle rod in a TITAN lineup of rods! (Part I)

I recently obtained the middle rod in the acclaimed Gamakatsu tenkara lineup. This lineup, the MultiFlex Suimu family, consists of three ten...

tetontenkara.blogspot.com

I love the graphics on this shorter Tanuki Shinobi 395 Keiryu-style rod, though I would confirm the mfg's maximum tippet recommendation first.

Tenkara Tanuki Shinobi 395 (carbon handle) rod review

NOTICE: Please see the end of this review for an update regarding the Shinobi. If there is one thing that Tenkara Tanuki is known...

tetontenkara.blogspot.com

The 5.6 meter version of this rod

Suntech Fine Power

The Suntech Fine Power is a very versatile rod for people who want a big water tenkara rod, a smaller stream keiryu rod or a zero tension rod.

www.tenkarabum.com

 

[bennysbuddy]

I personally haven't seen the TBum Traveller 44. I do have what I believe its big brother in the Suntech GM-53 Keiryu Special. Suntech makes very nice rods. The Traveller 44 and GM-53 are designed to use 9X to 6X tippet.

Also, the headwaters streams Keiryu rods are designed for do not have room to cast so the longer length of the rods is used to reach fish with a shorter, smaller diameter "Tenjo" line than that used with a Tenkara rod where the rod can be held at a lower angle.
View attachment 7538
View attachment 7539
Here is a great explanation for what I think is a longer variation of a traditional "Tenjo" line rig.

The two tippet rings make this setup very adjustable for depth with a minimum of waste.
IMHO the 4-color "Owner yarn markers" with the Tenjo line rig are pure genius. They are like putting neon lights on the line; the 4 colors being extremely visible in any lighting, and against any background that really helps with strike detection for deep nymphing.
View attachment 7540View attachment 7541View attachment 7542
Some additional references

Keiryu Fishing

Keiryu fishing is similar to tenkara: long rod, light line, mountain streams. Used with bait in Japan, mostly with weighted nymphs in the US.

www.tenkarabum.com

Keiryu Tactical Nymphing

Keiryu Tactical Nymphing, or tactical nymphing with a keiryu rod and line offers some significant advantages over standard Euro-nymphing.

www.tenkarabum.com

I find my Keiryu rod works well with both a Tenjo-style line for nymphing, and longer, larger diameter Tenkara-style lines with weighted nymphs as well as dry-wet flies.
The weighted nymphs I've caught fish with are beadhead sakasa kebari with soft hackle, and standard western-euro nymph patterns.
View attachment 7557View attachment 7547View attachment 7548View attachment 7549

In the headwaters streams Keiryu rods were originally designed for, a 16" fish is a trophy. After catching some nice fish with my GM-53 rod, for piece of mind I think I would like to have a nymphing rod that is designed for tippet heavier than 6X; at least 5X, possibly 4X.
Also, longer Keiryu rods are tip-heavy and can be somewhat tiring after awhile. I always carry GM-53 along with my 3.9M T-rod on larger waters but don't have to use it that often to reach (bigger) fish.

Tactical nymphing-big fish-bigger water fixed line rods I'm jonesin' for are:

Gamakatsu MultiFlex Suimu 4.5 EX Tenkara Rod - middle rod in a TITAN lineup of rods! (Part I)

I recently obtained the middle rod in the acclaimed Gamakatsu tenkara lineup. This lineup, the MultiFlex Suimu family, consists of three ten...

tetontenkara.blogspot.com

I love the graphics on this shorter Tanuki Shinobi 395 Keiryu-style rod, though I would confirm the mfg's maximum tippet recommendation first.

Tenkara Tanuki Shinobi 395 (carbon handle) rod review

NOTICE: Please see the end of this review for an update regarding the Shinobi. If there is one thing that Tenkara Tanuki is known...

tetontenkara.blogspot.com

The 5.6 meter version of this rod

Suntech Fine Power

The Suntech Fine Power is a very versatile rod for people who want a big water tenkara rod, a smaller stream keiryu rod or a zero tension rod.

www.tenkarabum.com

thanks for sharing your knowledge , most people are clueless when it comes to Tenkara or Keiryu fishing

 

[Ricardo]

I personally haven't seen the TBum Traveller 44. I do have what I believe its big brother in the Suntech GM-53 Keiryu Special. Suntech makes very nice rods. The Traveller 44 and GM-53 are designed to use 9X to 6X tippet.

Also, the headwaters streams Keiryu rods are designed for do not have room to cast so the longer length of the rods is used to reach fish with a shorter, smaller diameter "Tenjo" line than that used with a Tenkara rod where the rod can be held at a lower angle.
View attachment 7538
View attachment 7539
Here is a great explanation for what I think is a longer variation of a traditional "Tenjo" line rig.

The two tippet rings make this setup very adjustable for depth with a minimum of waste.
IMHO the 4-color "Owner yarn markers" with the Tenjo line rig are pure genius. I find using the 4 colors of yarn are like putting neon lights on the line; at least one and usually more of the 4 colors is going to be visible in every lighting situation, against any background, and that really helps with strike detection for deep nymphing.
View attachment 7540View attachment 7541View attachment 7542
Some additional references

Keiryu Fishing

Keiryu fishing is similar to tenkara: long rod, light line, mountain streams. Used with bait in Japan, mostly with weighted nymphs in the US.

www.tenkarabum.com

Keiryu Tactical Nymphing

Keiryu Tactical Nymphing, or tactical nymphing with a keiryu rod and line offers some significant advantages over standard Euro-nymphing.

www.tenkarabum.com

I find my Keiryu rod works well with both a Tenjo-style line for nymphing, and longer, larger diameter Tenkara-style lines with weighted nymphs as well as dry-wet flies.
The weighted nymphs I've caught fish with are beadhead sakasa kebari with soft hackle, and standard western-euro nymph patterns.
View attachment 7557View attachment 7547View attachment 7548View attachment 7549

In the headwaters streams Keiryu rods were originally designed for, a 16" fish is a trophy. After catching some nice fish with my GM-53 rod, for piece of mind I think I would like to have a nymphing rod that is designed for tippet heavier than 6X; at least 5X, possibly 4X.
Also, longer Keiryu rods are tip-heavy and can be somewhat tiring after awhile. I always carry the GM-53 along with my 3.9M T-rod on larger waters but don't have to use it that often to reach (bigger) fish.

Tactical nymphing-big fish-bigger water fixed line rods I'm jonesin' for are:

Gamakatsu MultiFlex Suimu 4.5 EX Tenkara Rod - middle rod in a TITAN lineup of rods! (Part I)

I recently obtained the middle rod in the acclaimed Gamakatsu tenkara lineup. This lineup, the MultiFlex Suimu family, consists of three ten...

tetontenkara.blogspot.com

I love the graphics on this shorter Tanuki Shinobi 395 Keiryu-style rod, though I would confirm the mfg's maximum tippet recommendation first.

Tenkara Tanuki Shinobi 395 (carbon handle) rod review

NOTICE: Please see the end of this review for an update regarding the Shinobi. If there is one thing that Tenkara Tanuki is known...

tetontenkara.blogspot.com

The 5.6 meter version of this rod

Suntech Fine Power

The Suntech Fine Power is a very versatile rod for people who want a big water tenkara rod, a smaller stream keiryu rod or a zero tension rod.

www.tenkarabum.com

Wow! What a post!

 

[Ricardo]

I don’t have experience with the TB traveler, but considering Chris’s experience and the brand he is using to base his rods on, I am sure it is a very good rod. I have asked Chris a lot of questions via email all throughout these years and his answers were always spot on. The guy knows his stuff. The other brand that I really like is Daiwa. I learnt euronymphing-like techniques with a Daiwa Kiyose SF, and I love the rod. I don’t think it is made anymore, but they show up in eBay second hand for a good price. The newer Daiwa Keiryu-X has very good reviews and it looks like the successor of the Kiyose, you might want to look into it, too.

 

[Ricardo]

I have never used tenjo-like lines, something new to experiment with. I tend to use thin leveled lines, number 3 or so, but I hate how much they kink when you store them when collapsing the rod, so for exploring new waters where you are constantly moving along the river I like braided lines. I go back and forth. I have tested the Daiwa tenkara floating line and it is nice with heavy rods. For the rivers around here anything works. Fly-wise, you can use anything. Perdigones are great. They don’t need to be as heavy as in euronymphing because the rod helps you cast lighter setups. I love fishing wets with the tenkara too! It’s a lot of fun trying new things.

 

[Ricardo]

I am happy to meet up and show you the things I know. Nowadays there are so many videos in YouTube that you can learn almost anything by watching, but if you rather have someone explaining things to you face to face, we can meet up. I live in Sammamish. You’ll have to deal with my Spanish accent, though. We need to plan a tenkara fishing outing this summer.

 

[jaredoconnor]

Thanks for the incredible post, @Brian Miller! This is going to take me a while to absorb!

Thanks for all your posts too, @Ricardo. A meetup would be awesome. I will definitely take you up on that offer. However, with my first home and first baby both nearing the end of construction, I have no idea when I will be able to actually do any of this.

 

[Ricardo]

Thanks for the incredible post, @Brian Miller! This is going to take me a while to absorb!

Thanks for all your posts too, @Ricardo. A meetup would be awesome. I will definitely take you up on that offer. However, with my first home and first baby both nearing the end of construction, I have no idea when I will be able to actually do any of this.

No worries, first things first

 

[Brian Miller]

I don’t have experience with the TB traveler, but considering Chris’s experience and the brand he is using to base his rods on, I am sure it is a very good rod. I have asked Chris a lot of questions via email all throughout these years and his answers were always spot on. The guy knows his stuff. The other brand that I really like is Daiwa. I learnt euronymphing-like techniques with a Daiwa Kiyose SF, and I love the rod. I don’t think it is made anymore, but they show up in eBay second hand for a good price. The newer Daiwa Keiryu-X has very good reviews and it looks like the successor of the Kiyose, you might want to look into it, too.

I hope COVID's terrible effects on JP have diminished and that normal production and shipping can resume soon. @bennysbuddy and I did some PMing about sources for Tenkara & Keiryu rods and accessories. Chris is out of stock on some of the best gear that's in high demand. He has the "Back in Stock Notification" link on each of his webpages though.

The TBum marketing catchphrase has been "Tenkara is Japanese. Shouldn't your rod be?" Without exception every MIJ rod I've seen has had superior fit and finish. The only downside is the initial cost for the rod and spare parts.
I have and really like some of the T-rods designed by DRAGONtail Tenkara in ID and imported from China. The fit and finish is generally good, the Customer Service-Support is excellent, at my current skill level any difference in engineering and production between MIJ and DT for casting accuracy is negligible, delivery to me here in western WA is just 2-3 days, and cost is low, value is high. DT does carry some of the good MIJ OEM, and unknown sourced-branded Tenkara lines, plus good sourced-branded BL hooks in stock at good prices plus . DT does not offer K-rods or specific Tenjo lines, Owner yarn markers...

US-based Keiryu Rod Co designs and imports K-rods from China. I have no idea of their quality but they only sell furled lines so I probably would like MIJ K-rods that can also cast rod-length T-lines better. They do carry some MIJ Keiryu accessories such as a snap on line line winder and Owner line markers that are pre-tied(???) on a small tube to slip onto a line but appears it wouldn't fit over a tippet ring so that would probably not work well for me and style of cast & drift tactical-nymphing I do.

 

[Brian Miller]

I have never used tenjo-like lines, something new to experiment with.

I believe shorter Tenjo-style lines work well for me when fishing closer (and deeper) where the line leg of the rod-line-water "triangle" is running almost straight down making it nearly a "backwards" right triangle for better drift control and strike detection.

I tend to use thin leveled lines, number 3 or so, but I hate how much they kink when you store them when collapsing the rod, so for exploring new waters where you are constantly moving along the river I like braided lines.

"braided" or "furled" ?
I've only fished level lines but do use snap-on line winders on all my rods. The sharp radius does put kinks in level lines but it takes maybe 20 seconds to unwind the line and work my way down the line stretching it before I re-extend the rod. On the plus side, I usually don't have the birds nest that can occur with my furled western leaders if I have to break off a snagged fly.
DT has a new style of line winders that apparently don't kink level lines as much. But even the radius of spools will kink level lines so I stretch spooled lines before fishing them too.

I am happy to meet up and show you the things I know. Nowadays there are so many videos in YouTube that you can learn almost anything by watching, but if you rather have someone explaining things to you face to face, we can meet up. I live in Sammamish. You’ll have to deal with my Spanish accent, though. We need to plan a tenkara fishing outing this summer.

That would be a great idea!

 

[Ricardo]

I believe shorter Tenjo-style lines work for well for me when fishing closer to me (and deeper) where the line leg of the rod-line-water "triangle" is making it almost a "backwards" right triangle for better drift control and strike detection.

"braided" or "furled" ?
I've only fished level lines but do use snap-on line winders on all my rods. The sharp radius does put kinks in level lines but it takes maybe 20 seconds unwind the line and work my way down the line stretching it before I re-extend the rod. On the plus side, I usually don't have the birds nest that can occur with my furled western leaders line if I have to break off a snagged fly.
DT has a new style of line winders that apparently don't kink level lines as much. But even the radius of spools will kink level lines so I stretch spooled lines before fishing them too.

That would be a great idea!

Yes, you’re correct- excuse my brain fart: furled, not braided.

 

[Ricardo]

@Brian Miller - how does the tenjo line cast with those yarns hanging from it?

 

[Brian Miller]

Yes, you’re correct- excuse my brain fart: furled, not braided.

I asked because some T-anglers use braided lines. A fellow member of an international (but US located) Tenkara forum made me a couple of diy tapered braided lines from Spiderwire that he uses with his GM-53. I found that level lines were working well for dry-wet flies and shallow nymphing, then discovered Tenjo lines and have never tried the Spiderwire.

Here's an article about braided lines.

Braided Nylon Level Line for Tenkara | Tenkara Talk

A few weeks ago, I wrote a post about using Cortland braided nylon level line for tenkara. I liked how it cast in my backyard, but hand't had it on the water. That is, until today. And the verdict is in... While it seemed to be a pretty a good candidate for tenkara, I had

www.tenkaratalk.com

 

[Brian Miller]

@Brian Miller - how does the tenjo line cast with those yarns hanging from it?

I agree with the guy in the Keiryu rig line video. It casts a line shorter than the rod with the markers' tags clipped to ~1/4" and a beadhead fly nicely. No real surprise there because that's what the rod is designed to cast.

 

[Brian Miller]

I do find the history of traditional Japanese fishing methods very colorful and compelling. I believe learning about and using them has helped me a great deal in my Tenkara journey. They are often very subtle and as with all things that are taken to an art form, they can show success quickly, but the true nuance requires dedication and practice.
This was recently posted in the "10 Colors Tenkara" forum:

Ametsuchi

アウトドアガイド&セレクトショップ

www.ametsuchi-nikko.com

 

[Capt Insano Emeritis]

I was given a telescoping practice tenkara rod 7.5’… very generic with a hand held hardwood spool … i just use a flat fly line .Cortland and a furled leader and 6 or 7 x tippet… i like to use whisperlite hooks for my flies. I only use it for bluegill and dinks in small creeks a lot of dapping when i use it. It compresses into a 26” cylinder. Which defines portable. So small i often have a hard time finding it. Had it a long time… and it is fun. It only casts comfortably about 30 feet which is all i need for the kind of dink fishing i like