The Yama™ distills the essence of tenkara into an ultra-compact, featherlight rod with extended reach.
Inspired by our popular Ukiyo™ rod, the Yama offers the same exceptional sensitivity and packability while extending your reach with an 11 ft (335 cm) length. Weighing just 2.1 ounces and collapsing to only 16 inches, it's designed for anglers who want precise drifts on small to medium streams without sacrificing portability.
The Yama is our second rod to feature the innovative textured swell grip, a design praised by Ukiyo anglers for its lightweight feel and enhanced sensitivity. Crafted from high-modulus graphite with a minimalist profile, this grip delivers exceptional comfort while providing the lightest and most sensitive handle we've ever produced on an 11-foot rod, transmitting even the most subtle strikes directly to your hand.
Like the Ukiyo, the Yama was inspired by our beloved Rhodo rod, but reimagined with greater reach in a sleek, compact package. Its longer length enhances line control by keeping more line off the water, making it ideal for clear, open mountain streams and small to medium rivers. The crisp action brings even smaller fish to life while maintaining the portability needed for backpacking, travel, and backcountry adventures.
What makes this rod special?
The Yama delivers classic tenkara performance—effortless line control, exceptional sensitivity, and pure fishing enjoyment—in our lightest and most compact 11-foot rod to date.
Whether you're looking for a travel-friendly tenkara rod, a lightweight backpacking companion, or greater reach without added bulk, the Yama delivers the precision, portability, and craftsmanship Tenkara USA is known for. Every rod is backed by our lifetime warranty and exceptional customer support.
1% of the sale value of this item will be donated to conservation efforts.
Specs
Rod Length: 11 ft (335 cm)
Adjustable: No
Weight: 2.1 oz (60 g)
Closed Length: 16 in (40.6 cm)
Handle: Integral Graphite Swell Grip
Segments: 10
Material: High-Modulus Graphite
Finish: Matte Grey
Includes:
- Yama™ 11 ft Rod
- Protective Aluminum Rod Tube
- Woven Rod Sock
Supporting our Planet
Tenkara USA® is the only Japanese fly fishing rod company committed to donating at least 1% of its sales to organizations that care for fish habitat. For every tenkara rod sold by Tenkara USA®, an average of $14 goes toward benefiting trout habitat.
Our most portable 11’ rod, the Yama is as capable a fishing tool as it is easy to carry.
Streamlined for fishing
Designed for a tenkara angler who expects the advantages of a longer rod but needs the portability of use. The Yama is only 2.1 ounces and 16” closed, but fishes at an effective 11’.
Extreme Sensitivity with true reach
First introduced with our popular Ukiyo rod, the Yama features a “swell grip”, offering increased sensitivity. That, paired with the 11’ length, makes the Yama an incredibly efficient fishing tool.
Convenience Reimagined
The Yama™ features our patented “Keep-your-plug” system, previously reserved only for our adjustable rods. It’s all about convenience, ensuring you never misplace your rod plug when your mind is focused on the water.
Optimized for mountain stream adventures
The Yama is an excellent rod for almost any typical mountain stream. It’s the perfect ultralight rod for classical tenkara angling.
The Yama is the most portable 11’ rod we’ve offered. It features our textured “swell grip” offering extreme sensitivity but the reach of a more traditional tenkara rod.
I like using my tenkara gear to catch:Smaller size fish (say 8-12" / 20-30cm), Medium size fish (12-16" / 30-40cm)
I like using my tenkara rod in:Very small streams, Mountain streams
Streams and Rivers
So far I love this rod. It's the perfect size for me and what I'm fishing. It packs easy and a fun rod overall.
J
Jason Patton (Broomfield, US)
I like using my tenkara gear to catch:Smaller size fish (say 8-12" / 20-30cm)
I like using my tenkara rod in:Very small streams, Mountain streams
High mountain streams
This has been an excellent rod for fishing up high on the front range. It also packs easily into my bike frame bag for trips along the creek path in town.
D
David Pedersen
I like using my tenkara gear to catch:Smaller size fish (say 8-12" / 20-30cm), Medium size fish (12-16" / 30-40cm), Larger size fish (16-20" / 40-50cm), Trout
I like using my tenkara rod in:Very small streams, Mountain streams, Larger streams or rivers, Stillwater, Backpacking and remote waters
Anywhere there is water…..
I have the Ukiyo and really like it so I thought I would try the Yama as well. The Yama is a fun rod! I haven’t caught anything over about 10” with it yet but it’s been a lot of fun with the smaller fish. It’s sensitive enough to feel little bites, compact, light…..perfect for when you have a little more room to cast. It is an appropriate longer sibling to the Ukiyo.
D
Dave R (Ankeny, US)
I like using my tenkara gear to catch:Smaller size fish (say 8-12" / 20-30cm), Trout
I like using my tenkara rod in:Very small streams
Spring creeks
I received the YAMA as a gift and had a chance to fish with it in the Driftless of SW Wisconsin. I used both a 3.0 level and tapered nylon line. The rod cast kebsri and small nymphs very accurately. The rod is very sensitive and had no problem in handling and landing 8" - 12" Brown Trout. Not having either a foam or cork handle to a bit getting use to. But after a while it was a non issue.
My only complaint is that the rod plug holder on the bottom of the rod, does NOT hold the plug securely. And it fell out and now I'm down to one plug. Thus the 4 and not 5 star rating.
T
Travis Hough (Bozeman, US)
I like using my tenkara gear to catch:Smaller size fish (say 8-12" / 20-30cm)
I like using my tenkara rod in:Mountain streams
Montana😉
Beautiful rod I will keep in my Delica for all things Japanese.
5 stars: 7 (78%)
4 stars: 2 (22%)
3 stars: 0 (0%)
2 stars: 0 (0%)
1 star: 0 (0%)
C
Chris Bosquez
I like using my tenkara gear to catch:Smaller size fish (say 8-12" / 20-30cm), Medium size fish (12-16" / 30-40cm)
I like using my tenkara rod in:Very small streams, Mountain streams
Streams and Rivers
So far I love this rod. It's the perfect size for me and what I'm fishing. It packs easy and a fun rod overall.
J
Jason Patton (Broomfield, US)
I like using my tenkara gear to catch:Smaller size fish (say 8-12" / 20-30cm)
I like using my tenkara rod in:Very small streams, Mountain streams
High mountain streams
This has been an excellent rod for fishing up high on the front range. It also packs easily into my bike frame bag for trips along the creek path in town.
D
David Pedersen
I like using my tenkara gear to catch:Smaller size fish (say 8-12" / 20-30cm), Medium size fish (12-16" / 30-40cm), Larger size fish (16-20" / 40-50cm), Trout
I like using my tenkara rod in:Very small streams, Mountain streams, Larger streams or rivers, Stillwater, Backpacking and remote waters
Anywhere there is water…..
I have the Ukiyo and really like it so I thought I would try the Yama as well. The Yama is a fun rod! I haven’t caught anything over about 10” with it yet but it’s been a lot of fun with the smaller fish. It’s sensitive enough to feel little bites, compact, light…..perfect for when you have a little more room to cast. It is an appropriate longer sibling to the Ukiyo.
D
Dave R (Ankeny, US)
I like using my tenkara gear to catch:Smaller size fish (say 8-12" / 20-30cm), Trout
I like using my tenkara rod in:Very small streams
Spring creeks
I received the YAMA as a gift and had a chance to fish with it in the Driftless of SW Wisconsin. I used both a 3.0 level and tapered nylon line. The rod cast kebsri and small nymphs very accurately. The rod is very sensitive and had no problem in handling and landing 8" - 12" Brown Trout. Not having either a foam or cork handle to a bit getting use to. But after a while it was a non issue.
My only complaint is that the rod plug holder on the bottom of the rod, does NOT hold the plug securely. And it fell out and now I'm down to one plug. Thus the 4 and not 5 star rating.
T
Travis Hough (Bozeman, US)
I like using my tenkara gear to catch:Smaller size fish (say 8-12" / 20-30cm)
I like using my tenkara rod in:Mountain streams
Montana😉
Beautiful rod I will keep in my Delica for all things Japanese.
D
Dale Yamamoto (Barrington, US)
I like using my tenkara gear to catch:Smaller size fish (say 8-12" / 20-30cm), Medium size fish (12-16" / 30-40cm), Trout, Other species
I like using my tenkara rod in:Mountain streams, Stillwater
Mountain streams
Nice feel in the hand and easy casting.
K
Kirk Clague (Three Rivers, US)
I like using my tenkara gear to catch:Smaller size fish (say 8-12" / 20-30cm), Medium size fish (12-16" / 30-40cm), Larger size fish (16-20" / 40-50cm), Trout
I like using my tenkara rod in:Mountain streams, Larger streams or rivers, Backpacking and remote waters
Almost all moving water
Hey, it's a fun and very light rod. My only complaint: the spare plug that came with it (on the butt end) didn't fit the rod end and fell out IMMEDIATELY after I started fishing the rod the first time. Just a grrr. But like I said, a good step forward.
D
Dwight Short (Bozeman, US)
I like using my tenkara gear to catch:Medium size fish (12-16" / 30-40cm), Trout
I like using my tenkara rod in:Mountain streams, Larger streams or rivers
Small streams
Perfect rod for portability and fishing small streams that often require a hike to reach.
C
Charlie D (Denver, US)
I like using my tenkara gear to catch:Smaller size fish (say 8-12" / 20-30cm), Medium size fish (12-16" / 30-40cm), Trout
I like using my tenkara rod in:Very small streams, Mountain streams, Backpacking and remote waters
Colorado high country site small streams, or canyon creeks. Actually I use Tenkara everywhere.
I think simple is better, so: this road rocks. It’s light as a feather, fantastic stiffness to weight ratio, casts like a dream, plays fish beautifully, closes up and possibly compactly.
As a small stream guy, I started with Rhodo. I adore that thing. Added a Sato, then Ito. I found that between the Rhodo and the Ito, I was covered. I gave the Sato away as a gift to a highly deserving psychotherapist who saved my kid.
Then, Tenkara USA offered up the Ukiyo. I was suspicious of the grip, but decided to give it a shot with my Christmas money a year or two ago. Loved it. Just loved it. For one thing, it fits in the tank bag on my motorcycle. Outrageous.
But it fishes like nobody’s business, and feels so right in the hand; light as a feather, plays fish beautifully.
So when they showed up with this Yama, I was trying to figure out what I needed it for. But I couldn’t resist and I ordered one.
Ukiyo owners: it’s every bit as good as your Ukiyo. But has more reach, is better in the wind, and is only one and a half inches longer closed up.
Shrug. Glad I bought it. It’s fantastic.
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Supporting our Planet
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