Friday fishing foto - Ukiyo

New tenkara rod review from Mossy Creek Fly Fishing

March marked 14 years of having tenkara rods in my fly-fishing rod collection. Back then I started with a Tenkara USA 11’ Iwana. I still have it.

First adventure with the tenkara rod

Over the years my collection has grown significantly, matching rods to fishing opportunities. These days, I use them primarily for fishing dry flies in mountain streams and spring creeks. That’s where they excel. Most of the time, I’ll use a shorter length rod, like my Tenkara USA Rhodo (8’10”- 10’6”)¹ or Patagonia Cutthroat (8’6”). Of course I start off with my beloved Sweetgrass bamboo, but when there is likely to be a hatch, I bring a tenkara rod.

Because I’m a fan of shorter tenkara rods, I was interested in Tenkara USA’s new Ukiyo rod. My friend and fellow tenkara guide, Nick at Mossy Creek Fly Fishing, did a terrific review.

Tenkara USA Ukiyo Rod Review

Here are a few things in Nick’s review that caught my eye:

• When collapsed, the Ukiyo is at least 6” shorter than either of the rods mentioned above. It may not seem like a big deal, but a more compact rod is helpful when you are bushwhacking blue lines

• The sensitivity of the graphite handle. I haven’t fished it, but more sensitivity is never a bad thing

• The 9’ 6” extended length is about the midpoint of the Rhodo’s length which is the length I fish that rod most often

When I get a chance to fish one I’ll update this article.

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1. It’s a so called “zoom rod” meaning it has 3 lengths.