Tenkara Flies

Lift up Chris Johnson's Living Waters Fly Shop in Round Rock, TX and his presentations to Guadalupe River Trout Unlimited. I use the Iwana and Hane rods here in Texas. I applaud the simplicity of Tenkara fishing. I have jettisoned the years of hoarding lines, reels, tackle, pushed by the tackle companies to throw good money down a hole in the water. I confess to also using ultralight spinning for trout and panfish.

Shipped immediately. Love the Rhodo.

Well it’s happened. After 10+ years- I bought one of the first Iwanas from Daniel in 2009/10(can’t remember). Been bush bashing with it for a decade since. busted quite a few other rods including ito and many sun tech rods but never my trusty iawana. Despite massive mistreatment. Abd I just love the way it casts - it’s the sweet spot for me.
Yesterday by my own laxity is snapped the tip just under the Lilian. But ordering a new tip - if the rod lasts another 10 yrs it will outlive me. (Now what do I do with the 2 new spare iwanas.....).

Ridiculously easy, fast, and cheap to get replacement parts. Ordered it online the day I broke the second to last segment, got the replacement parts in like 3 days for less than it costs to go to the movies, back fishing the next weekend. I literally can't sing the Tenkara praises loud enough!

Great information in the book, bought my first rod late spring and was trying to teach myself the right way to fish tenkara. This book is a great reference on how to properly fish, wish I had this when I started fishing.

I fished on a cold day closing out my season. I struggled collapsing one of the tip sections and accidentally caused it to snap. I reached out via the web page and ordered the tip replacement. It arrived in a reasonable few days. It was securely packaged. I replaced my broken tip , a perfect fit, with no issues.

Amazing customer service! I spent less than five minutes on the phone and had my replacement part in the mail a few short days later.

Gorgeous poster, and accurate with so many formations! Love it. Great for any rock climbing aficionado (or wanna be, like me).

I was very impressed with this line. I typically only stick with level line but this line will be a new regular in my outfit. The tapering makes it very easy to turn over and get those "fly-first" presentations. You need to at least try this line if you haven't tried a nylon line. Superb quality and it is very easy to see!

This is the tried and true, all rounder tenkara rod. From its action and amazing feel, you will know this rod has had a rich history. It probably has been in the hands of nearly every tenkara angler in the west. I have ZERO disappointments with this rod. It's what I first fished with getting into tenkara and am glad I own a new one with revamped aesthetics. It's not a rod that I will "keep as a back up" but one I will cherish and create good memories with. If this is your first introduction into tenkara- get this rod!

Very effective tool for keeping lines tidy and organized. Really like the dual line storage option as well as the numerous ways to secure the fly. Extra fly storage is well thought out and handy. This thing is awesome!

I’ve owned various types of line keepers and was down right impressed when I got this one. I had to ask myself why I hadn’t got it sooner. I will be getting another. All of the crammed pack features of this Keeper is impressive. This really allowed me to carry less- which was what I want. Super innovation from a great company!

I really appreciate the prompt service I received! I haven't been able to fish, ice storm etc. Probably won't be able to fish until March and then it will be small stream in S.E. Oklahoma. Then in Aug. I go to Jackson Hole and fish a little bigger creeks etc.

I have really enjoyed fishing my new hane on my home waters. Caught a bunch of brookies. The device is great and a fun rod. Things froze up big time this past weekend. But warmer weather is just around the corner. Thanks for the prompt service. I will recommend you to all my tenkara friends.

First, a positive nod to their customer service: Although there are more affordable tenkara rods out there, I choose to buy Tenkara USA because their customer service is outstanding. If you bust a tip top (very common in the tenkara world), a phone call to TUSA and nominal charge will quickly bring you a replacement (it's a Really Good Idea to order a replacement before you need it; it'll fit in your rod case and you'll never know it's there--until you're on a long-range trip with no fly shop within 200 miles). Anything wrong that's not your fault? Again, a phone call, and a replacement is on your way, no charge. Way to go, Tenkara USA.

Second, a reflection on fishing with the Sato: I grew up fishing southern California streams for tiny brown trout, using a pendulum cast to dial in Mepps and Pather Martins under overhanging alder branches. Then I started using a 6' flyrod, still chasing tiny trout in tiny streams with a lot of bow-and-arrow casts.

Then my fly fishing club in northern California turned me on the tenkara, and I invested in a Sato. I've caught small rainbows in the South American River, and 18" rainbows and browns in the Little Truckee and East Walker. While I still own and love my western rods, it's the Sato that I pack as my go-to rod for any stream that's not too big and burly. In a nutshell, fishing with the Sato is a blast because I don't need a bunch of equipment, the cast is so simple and elegant, and it just dang works well. And...because tying tenkara-style flies is so easy and quick, I always have more than enough, and that encourages me to try risky casts under branches or through rocky slots--right where you know they big ones are, but you also know it's an inside straight. No worries--you don't worry about using yet another fly because tenkara flies are built with a bit of thread, and one hen hackle feather--a pittance, compared to a lot of western-style flies.

The Sato provides you a range of rod lengths to use, depending on the brushiness of the stream or the width of the river. But, I rarely fish the optional shorter lengths--I think I've cast enough with the Sato so that it's become an extension of my arm, and it's rare when I hang up a fly in the backcast zone (well, now I've jinxed it, right?) I seem to always imagine the big ones are just at the limit of my reach!