Looking at getting a new Tenkara rod, specifically the Sierra. Anyone have experience catching 14"-16" trout with it? Also interested to hear the pros and cons on it. Thanks!

Link to rod:

https://www.tenkararodco.com/collections/frontpage/products/the-sierra-package

Huck I bought Tenkara rods for my kids thinking it would be a starter set for fly fishing and it was a disaster. The telescoping was balky and unreliable ... daughter was afraid to use it cause it might break and son just went ahead and broke his. They were orvis products so fortunately they took them back. My recco is buy a lower end fly rod and reel set up. In my opinion, lots of good products out there that have decent price points comparatively. For example:

https://www.reelflyrod.com/new-echo-lift-480-4-rod-outfit-kit-4wt-80.html?gclid=CjwKCAjwyaWZBhBGEiwACslQo_Ku-17J7qP_cIJ2Vx79vKACMXknpKwGFPKnbG_ncj3zvfCA4e1p4hoCFEMQAvD_BwE

10'6" seems short for a tenkara rod. I've got an older tenkara usa rod that I bought 6 or 7 years ago. In the right conditions I love it. Ive never had a problem with the telescopic aspect.

If you want another rod to add to the quiver, get one. If you are buying a first setup, I agree get a reputable 9' 5wt. You will get a lot more use out of it in a broader range of conditions, techniques and species.

I'd look at a 12 to 14 ft rod that you can adjust back to 10.5.

Some models are designed to collapse two segments i giving you three different lengths.

Thats probably what I do unless I just wanted a dedicated short rod for whatever reason.

Lots of entry level options for beginner fly setups.

Mad River Outfitters has lots of options < $200. The Reddington kits come with Rio lines (albeit the lowest level Mainstream line). I bought my daughter the Reddington Path kit for her first rod & reel.

I might consider Tenkara as a secondary set. But I'd start with a rod and reel setup and learn to cast, first.

Thanks for all the advice. I already have a few ORVIS rods and love fly fishing. However, I'm interested in Tenkara for backpacking purposes due to its compact size, negligible weight, and simplicity of use for small mountain streams.

I bought my wife the bear tooth for her birthday and she loves it. It was fun to use but was a little stiff IMO. The sierra seems like it'll be a more responsive rod, which I think will be fun. So I thought I'd bring it to the OB and see if anyone has experience with the rod.

Thanks man, I'm going to look into this!

We're they Tenkara brand or ORVIS brand Tenkara style rods?

Huck said:

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We're they Tenkara brand or ORVIS brand Tenkara style rods?

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Can't really recall ... I think they were Orvis branded products.

I guess I should have gone with Tenkara brand?

The Tenkara rods are unique because they have no reel setup. Just rod, tippet and fly. Kinda cool. As I understand it, Tenkara is a style of rod used heavily in Japan for fly fishing. I believe Tenkara rod co just hijacked the name.

Huck said:

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The Tenkara rods are unique because they have no reel setup. Just rod, tippet and fly. Kinda cool. As I understand it, Tenkara is a style of rod used heavily in Japan for fly fishing. I believe Tenkara rod co just hijacked the name.

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Agree. They're great for back country small streams. Don't let these guys talk you out of it just because they don't have any experience with the company you're interested in.