High Performance Keiryu & Tenkara Rods.
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Made in Japan.
The Mini is truly a “mini”. its less than 10 inches and weighs less than 1.5 oz, despite that fact that it is composed of 17 sections! This rod is a sophisticated piece of equipment. It is also an absolute delight to cast, especially if you will be casting a lot of dry and wet flies. Once in the water, this rod also provides the best sensitivity of any rod we sell. You can feel the fish touch the fly. In essence, this is an ultra compact & light Tenkara rod that offers greater sensitivity due to the lack of a cork handle.
If you plan to fish with nymphs or a weighted presentation, however, it is best to do so in waters where you don’t have to go too deep. The Mini’s action is really not ideal for strikes in deep holes. Beyond that, you will love fishing with this rod, it becomes and extension of your arm and you will find yourself aiming for ever tighter spots.
SEE BELOW FOR SPECS.
FEATURED PRODCUTS
The MiniMax
Compact excellence. The MiniMax is the culmination of years of work. It is the result of our passion to produce a super compact Tenkara rod that does not compromise on casting finesse and delivers excellent balance, sensitivity, and performance.
Mountain Stream Adventures
The MiniMax is the perfect rod for your backpacking adventures where catching finicky wild trout in the 7 - 11 inch range is the name of the game. We recommend 6X tippet for the MiniMax and you can go down to 8X if you like.
The MiniMax extends to 11.7 ft., collapses to 10 inches, and weighs 2.25 oz when fishing it. The rod uses high end Japanese Toray carbon, providing great sensitivity and balance. This rod is fun to use.
The MiniMax is a Tenkara rod that will excel and throwing kebari and dry flies. You can also get great nymphing results but keep the nymphs to a smaller size.
Casting
We stand by this rod’s ability to cast as good as many of the most premium Japanese rods we have tested. It is one of the few rods, that actually casts 3.5 levels as good, if not better, than a furled line. Our recommended line up for the MiniMax is as follows:
3.5 level line:
Got to line.
10 to 11 ft. + 6X Tippet. We recommend starting with 6X RIO Powerflex.
Furled line:
Windy day line.
10 to 11 ft. + 6X Tippet.
Fujino Tenkara Tapered Midi Soft:
This is your extended reach line, also good on windy days. This tapered line just zooms out.
3.6m line (11.8 ft.) + 6X Tippet.
9 ft Floating Line
All around line. Has indicator for nymphing.
Great on windy days and nice compliment to your level line.
9 ft. + 6X Tippet.
Warranty and Service
The MiniMax comes with extra tip sections and a LIFETIME warranty. Like all of our products, if you have an issue, call us and we will fix the issue so you can go back to fishing. It’s that simple.
SEE BELOW FOR MORE ON SPECS.
60 Money Back Guarantee! Try the Ansel for up to 60 days and return it for a full refund if it’s not right for you.
The Ansel
A a very light and compact (Tenkara/Keiryu) rod designed to master small to medium trout in small rivers and streams.
The action took years to perfect. The result is a fast action rod that is simply superb for nymphing while also casting dry flies beautifully. In fact, the Ansel will cast a 3.5 level line, a furled line, or fly line with accuracy and finesse.
So, is this a Tenkara rod?
We often get asked the question. If you are a Tenkara angler, then think of the Ansel as a Tenkara rod that’s optimized for nymphing with more of a backbone and a fast action tip. If you are a Keiryu angler, the Ansel is simply a compact Keiryu rod, similar in many ways to the Daiwa Keiryu X-36 but dialed back on the stiffness.
Specs
The Ansel rod is a perfect backpacking rod. It extends to 10.9 ft., collapses to 15.8 inches, and weighs 2.3 oz when fishing it. The rod uses high end IM Japanese carbon, providing exceptional sensitivity and feel! Let’s talk about the handle. This rod does not have cork handle. Instead, we applied a friction enhanced coating on the handle section. The lack of cork or EVA foam means LESS weight and MORE sensitivity.
Warranty and Service
The Ansel comes with extra tip sections and a LIFETIME warranty. Like all of our products, if you have an issue, call us and we will fix the issue so you can go back to fishing. It’s that simple.
SEE BELOW FOR MORE ON SPECS.
This 9 ft. floating line is awesome for both Dry Flies & Nymphing.
The line is a perfect match for the 10.9 ft. Ansel rod or any Keiryu / Tenkara rod in the 10-12 ft. range.
For Dry Fly rigs, use about 3 ft. of 6X–5X Monofilament Tippet and attach fly.
For Nymph rigs, use 3-4 ft. of Fluorocarbon Tippet and attach nymph. Optional: attach a 2nd smaller nymph about 18” above bottom nymph.
Made in Japan.
The Nissin Royal Stage 360 (6:4) action is the softer version of the 7:30, which we think so highly of. If your main use case is dry flies / tenkara flies, then this is the rod for you. It is an excellent choice for casting level lines beautifully.
Like the 7:3, we found the Royal Stage 6:4 to offer a great combination of balance, sensitivity, accuracy and overall performance. All this at price point that makes this round a tremendous value.
Made in Japan.
A Tenkara Rod For Traditional Tenkara
HISTORY
The Air Stage Fujiryu rods were desinged by a renowed Tenkara master, Hiromichi Fuji. His design for the Air Stage incorporates Fujiryu-style Tenkara (冨士流テンカラ), a specialized approach that he developed. This method emphasizes precision, efficiency, and simplicity, focusing on refined casting techniques and effective fly presentation.
Instead of relying solely on natural drift, Fuji’s method involves subtle fly movements to entice fish. Techniques include twitching, pulsing, or holding the fly in place, know as Sasoi (誘い) to trigger strikes.
DETAILS
The Air Stage Fujiryu is a beautifully crafted Tenkara rod that excels at what we would call traditional Tenkara, casting a kebari fly with a light 3.0 level line or a traditional furled line. Using the Fujiryu in a mountain stream or a pefect Tenkara creek really makes you feel that you are practicing Tenkara in its purest form. This is a rod that gently casts and lands dry flies almost as if you were dropping them onto the spot.
With an RFI of 3.4 and CCS rating of 12.5 pennies, the Fujiryu is definitely a soft action rod. The Fujiryu can throw light nymphs (#16 and above size), but it really shines with dry and kebari presentations. This is why we carry the 5:5, it’s the most popular of the Fujiryu actions.
The other benefit of the action is its ability to protect light tippet. While Nissin lists this rod with a Harris rating of .8-1.2 which translastes, directionally, to 5X-3.5X, the reality is the 5:5 action can partner with 6X and 7X tippet, which is perfect for finicky little wild trout.
This rod is a perfect complement to Keiryu or faster action Tenkara rods.
Wood Not Cork
The handle on the Fujiryu is cypress wood that feels like it’s been polished with 500 grit fine sandpaper, it is very smooth. The handle is 7 inches long and features a straight, slightly tapered design that has no concave inward curves to it. For those used to cork, the handle will feel different at first, but it grows on you very quickly.
Overall, the handle is very comfortable. It’s not too thick or thin (about 1” at its midpoint). All in all, this handle fits the personality of the rod.
Aesthetics / Fit n’ Finish
The fit n’ finish on this rod is top of the line Nissin. We especially love the all metal (stainless steel) screw cap. The stainless steel theme is carried to the winding check. On the front end there is a protective plastic tip cap vs. a rod plug, that stays on securely.
In terms of its aesthetic design, the Fujiryu features a jam/plum color. For those wine drinkers, think cabernet. The lettering and logo are in gold bronze and the contrast is aesthetically very pleasing. Finally, maroon stripes occupy the top few inches of the rod. All in all, it is an elegant and rich looking rod.
Outdoors and in the sun, the rod has a beautiful, elegant look to it. When the light hits the rod, you may also notice a reflective red line running down the rod, it’s as if there is an inner energy in the rod itself. Pretty cool.
Final Thoughts
The Air Stage Fujiryu 5:5 is an excellent soft action tenkara rod that makes a statement as beautifuly made rod for traditional Tenkara fishing with dry and kebari flies.
Daiwa’s LL36 Expert Tenkara Rod is Level Line Optimized!!
This is Daiwa’s top of the line Tenkara rod and as expected, it displays excellent fit n’ finish, balance, and delicate casting.
The Expert Tenkara comes in two models, the LL (optimized for level lines) and LT (optimized for both level and tapered lines). This is the LL model. Click here to review the LT model.
Softer Action Highlights Diffrence vs. LT36
The Daiwa Expert Tenkara LL36 has an RFI of 4.14 and a CCS rating of 14.75 pennies. Compare this to the LT model, with an RFI of 5.62 and CCI of 19.5 pennies (29% more vs. LL) and that spells out the key difference between the rods.
The LL rod is a softer rod, with more bend and more ease of loading and delivering light lines. This rod feels like a 6:4 rod (to add another reference point) and is a better choice vs the LT if your priority is casting level lines (especially if you are going below a 3.5 level line) and throwing dry flies and traditional Tenkara kebari flies. Light nymphing can be done with this rod (size #16 BHs are fine) but like the 5:5 Nissin Air Stage, this rod is really at home with traditional Tenkara roles.
The Handle - Genius or Misguided?
The handle design will be one of the biggest points of discussion when it comes to this rod. It is a clear departure from traditional Tenkara handle designs and some will find it off-putting, while others may find it a risky proposition. Below are some perspectives and insights to consider.
The handle lends itself well to 3 distinct grip positions.
The top grip position places the hand at the upper portion of the cork, with the index finger extended and pointing towards the rod tip. This grip feels exactly like a traditional Tenkara grip, and we believe most anglers will use this grip.
The second position moves the grip down, so the middle finger, index finger, and pinky wrap the handle (kind of like a golf club), while the thumb and index finger wrap the cork. This grip should increase sensitivity as it provides direct contact with the actual rod, a real positive.
Both options one and two are extremely comfortable and balance the rod well. After many casts, I found myself opting more for option #2. I loved the buttery smooth wrist motion it provided. With that said, that is a personal choice, and the good news here is that there are options to choose from to maximize your fitment.
Finally, the third grip places the hand over the bottom section of cork, which in this case is about 2 /14 inches long and fits nicely in the palm of the hand. The thumb and index finger rest on the rod, aiding sensitivity. While we wouldn’t choose this option for casting, it works great for high sticking and leading a drift.
In conclusion, we believe this handle is in the genius camp and definitely not misguided or gimmicky. Daiwa is an innovative company with a serious reputation. One of my colleagues in Japan recently told me that in Japan, Daiwa is generally regarded as the best tackle company (followed by Shimano and Nissin). This was a serious call on their part, and I believe they have created something of real value.
Fit n’ Finish + Tech
The fit n’ finish on this rod is top of the line. The rod features matte black and gloss black which come together with a gold and black colored carbon fiber pattern. The gold theme is carried to the winding check and screw cap sections. The result is a really sharp looking rod.
As usual, Daiwa touts a lot of tech with the rod, headlined by their X45 diagonally woven carbon fiber that delivers greater strength and sensitivity. Also worth mentioning is the solid carbon tip, which Daiwa claims is stronger than others and, as a result, allows it to be more flexible and more sensitive.
Final Thoughts
The LL36 is an outstanding rod that might be a better option vs. the LT36 given your intended use. The unique rod handle provides additional variety when it comes to grip options that many anglers will really appreciate. Like the LT, this rod exudes excellent quality.
Made in Japan.
The Sunline Buttobi is considered by many in Japan to be the best Tenkara level line.
SOFT N' SUPPLE
The Sunline Buttobi lines are a little softer and more supple compared to other lines we have tested. Many folks who don't fully appreciate level lines complain of excessive kink in these type of lines, producing a slinky effect. Well, there is good news...the Sunline lines reduces that effect compared to other lines. We still recommend you stretch it as you unspool it. Doing so will result in a very elegant straight line, that will deliver excellent performance.
USAGE GUIDELINES
Level lines pair execptionally well with fixed line rods, delivering light and sensitive presenations. These level lines can be used for dry flies, kebari flies and nymphs.
Visibility is great due to the bright "flash orange" color of the line.
As a general guide, the smallest line (Size 3) will be easier to cast in softer Tenkara rods (5:5 to 6:4 range), whereas those using faster action / stiffer bodied rods, may want to opt for the larger, 4.5 size line.
60 Money Back Guarantee!
Try the TN Provo for up to 60 days and return it for a full refund if it’s not right for you.
The TN Provo is 16 ft rod designed for subsurface fishing. Compared to its sibling, the T100, the TN Provo is better suited for deeper strikes and larger fish. It has a 5X - 3X (UPDATED) tippet rating and will catch trout, bass, catfish or other species up to a 6 - 8 lb range. This rod has an RFI value of 8.5, which translates into a fast action rod. Its stiff body and flexible tip mean more positive hook sets in deeper water.
It’s called the TN Provo for a reason. While it was born in the Sierra, the rod matured and was ultimately perfected on the Provo river. It was there that we tweaked the rod for almost 2 years, perfecting its nymphing characteristics where heavy nymph rigs are thrown such as the “Utah Rig”.
The rod collapses to 24”, weighs 5.4 oz, and has a splendid feel to it. If you find yourself in bigger waters, where 25” trout are common, this is the rod for you.
Read Amazon Reviews of this Product:
Big Fish, Big Water Tenkara Rod
The Power Zoom 490 is the culmination of years of developing and refining larger rods. It takes learnings from the T100 and TN Provo rods, offering Keiryu style, big rod performance in a Tenkara package.
Specs
The Power Zoom 490 is a zoom rod, offering two length options: 14.5 feet or 16 feet. These lengths are very well suited for larger rivers and streams, while still offering ease of use practicality. When it’s time to break it down, the rod collapses to a very manageable 25 inches and weighs 5.95 oz (w/o the rod plug). While not the lightest rod, the weight reflects the core mission of the Power Zoom, which is to be a very strong & durable rod, engineered to withstand vulnerable pressure points common in many rods. For this, we opted for a stronger carbon vs. a light carbon.
Action
This is a medium action that offers excellent versatility. The numbers are as follows: the CCS rating is 30 pennies, while the RFI is 6.0 or a 7:3 in Tenkara terminology. You may notice the rod lists the RFI at 5.5. Yep, that’s our bad, we kept tweaking and refining the action and bumped the action from 5.5 to a perfect 6.
Use Case
Put simply, the use case is bigger water where reach and depth come into play and where bigger fish often reside. The Power Zoom is rated to 3X tippet and fish in the 22, 23, 24 inch range can be handled.
A key aspect of the use case is the ability to be versatile. This is not strictly a nymphing rod. The Power Zoom’s action allows for very effective casting of dry lines, like the Daiwa PVC or Kevlar line. When it’s time to nymph, use a sinking mono line, like our Euro line and ride out beautiful drag free drifts.
Casting
Floating Lines:
While you can execute a one-handed Tenkara cast, most folks will benefit from a two handed orbit cast. Keep the rod up, draw a tight circle above your head, pause for second, and push out. It’s not complicated at all. After a bit of practice, you will be able to throw out these lines beautifully. Click here to learn more about the Orbit cast.
Mono / Sinking Lines:
Lob it. A nice, gently lob will send your nymph nose diving about 20 ft. out. It’s easy, intuitive and a great way to get flies deep in a hurry.
Final Thoughts
The Power Zoom 490 fits the bill for Tenkara folks needing mor power, while not wanting to sacrifice versatility or for those who may prefer the aesthetics of Tenkara and the feel cork.
Adjusts from 16.2 - 17.4 feet.
The Yuyuzan is a great quality and great value Keiryu rod from Nissin. The rod is a “2 Way” rod meaning is length is adjustable by either extending the second section or leaving it non-extended by twisting it into a friction stripe on the rod. This process is intuitive and can be done in seconds. At full length, the Yuyuzan is 17.4 ft and adjusts down to 16.2 ft. making this a very practical rod.
This fixed Euro style nymphing line provides excellent drifts, high visibility, and superb sensitivity. We make this line using SEMPÉ nylon. This nylon is used in competitive fly fishing for its visibility, dimensions, suppleness, strength, and sensitivity.
Bottom line: Highly visible line that is perfect for drag free nymphing.
TO USE
Attach 3-6 ft. of tippet (Fluorocarbon recommended) and add your favorite nymphs
Cast using a LOB or ORBIT cast
Lift rod, track yoru indicator line and lead your drift
SPECS:
13 Ft. long (17-18 ft. after attaching your tippet).
Sempe line diameter is .011 inch.
Comes with loop for girth hitch knot.
Comes with RIO 3X indicator.
Includes a 2mm tippet ring made in Japan.
CARP RODS / PARTS
Made in Japan.
The Shoryu Koi is a high quality, high performance carp rod made in Japan by Nissin.
6.3 Meter Length and the Power C Curve
The Shoryu measures 6.3 meters or approximately 20.5 feet. This is a long rod which is important when talking about carp rods and more specifically, fixed line carp rods. When hooked, carp will make 5-6 fierce runs and put a real bend on the rod. With a longer rod, that energy is absorbed and dispersed. What we call the power c curve, is the rod at the apex of its power absorption - bent in the form of a C. Luckily, carp will tire out rather quickly after these runs and can be brought in (to the delight and perhaps astonishment of the angler).
Tippet Rating
The tippet rating for this rod is approximately 1.5X. This in turn, translates into a 12 lb. capable rod. To that we add a variety of variables including the aforementioned length of rod, power c curve, skill and patience of angler. Net/net, you can catch plenty of above average carp with this rod and some very very big carp if the execution is done right.
Odds & Ends
The Shoryu is a robust rod that will make other telescopic rods look puny. Collapsed, this rod is 41”, not small by any means. The rod weighs 9.5 oz but carries its weight well, delivering good balance. The handle is wrapped in thread and provides a very good grip even when wet.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Nissin Shoryu Koi 6.3m rod
Soft material sock
ROD SPECS
SECTIONS: 7
EXTENDED LENGTH: 6.3 meters / 20.6 feet
COLLAPSED LENGTH: 41 inches collapsed
WEIGHT: 9.5 oz
ACTION: Medium Action
TIPPET: 1.5X
INTEDED SPECIES: Carp
Section #1. This is the tip section with the lillian.
Prices Include FREE SHIPPING.
Section #1. This is the tip section with the lillian.
Prices Include FREE SHIPPING.
Section #1. This is the tip section with the lillian.
Prices Include FREE SHIPPING.
On The Fly Reference Guide
Download a quick reference guide for Mayfly, Caddisfly, Stonefly, and Midge flies.
Fixed Line Fly Fishing
We design fixed line fly fishing rods inspired by the histories of Keiryu and Tenkara fishing in Japan, paired with our work with American anglers and guides.
Performance Driven By The Physics Of Fixed Line Rods.
Game changing Drag Free drifts, whether fishing subsurface or top water.
Japanese Techniques Perfected For American Anglers.
Keiryu works with Nymphs, Dry Flies, and Artificials.
Choose what works best for you and the situation or mix it up, experiment, and have fun!
We were totally impressed and hooked after catching and releasing so many trout that day using our new Keiryu rod. What an incredible day.
— EASTERN SIERRA FISHING GUIDE 2019
Keiryu represents Japanese optimization of a system of fishing designed to catch fish as effectively and efficiently as possible.
— FISH TACO CHRONICLES 2019
I believe the T100 Keiryu rod is outstanding on rivers here in Montana and any other deep waters. I am dying to try out some of their other rods. Totally satisfied!
— AMAZON VERIFIED BUYER