Tenkara USA Iwana Fly Rod 11' 513599,

The Tenkara USA Iwana Fly Rod is the lightest fly rod they offer. Ideal for those seeking very very delicate casting and for fishing smaller streams, the Iwana feels extremely light-weight and all sensations are enhanced when hooking a fish. The progressive taper, ultra-light weight, and tip action provides for great battles, even when hooking the smaller fish. Quality and strength are by no means compromised, and landing large fish is not unheard of (8lbs mentioned on a forum thread!). If you are going to streams where 12 inch trout are trophies this is the rod.

This is the exact same rod Tenkara has been selling from the start, but based on feedback the action of these rods have been revised to a 6:4, it's a very light rod, with a delicate and precise casting feel.

These rods have a beautiful "glossy carbon" finish, where you can see the high-quality carbon fiber material through a nice glossy finish.

FAQ - What kind of rod is right for me?

Tenkara USA currently has 6 rods in its lineup. Each rod was designed to be true to the tenkara tradition and feel great for small stream fly angling. While every angler may have a different preference and need, try not to overthink your choice, Tenkara USA designed each rod to feel great while fishing in small streams.

Things to consider:

• Generally it's nice to use the longest rod you can for the stream you're fishing, as the longer rods have good advantages. If you know you'll consistently be catching bass or fish over 16", consider the rods with more backbone (Yamame and Amago).
• The 13ft Ayu and 13 1/2ft Amago are great choices if you're fishing a wide-open stream, or a wider stream. For those who prefer a softer rod, the Ayu is a good choice, with many people comparing its feel to bamboo fly rods or fiberglass. The Amago has more backbone to handle larger fish and cast a longer level line in larger streams.
• The Iwana rods are nice lightweight rods, primarily designed for very delicate presentation to smaller fish, these rods are, well, sweet, with a good pin-point casting accuracy from its 6:4 ratio. They will handle large sized fish too, but their sweet spot is the usual 8 - 12" trout. The 11ft Iwana is recommended for those fishing tighter streams.
• The Ebisu rod is a mid-weight all-arounder, featuring a nice red-pine wooden handle. Primarily designed to be a good middle-of-the road rod for those looking for something a bit different with a unique aesthetic to it.
• The Yamame is the stout rod, and along with the Amago it has more backbone to handle good-sized fish. If you're consistently catching larger fish, please consider one fo these two rods. The Amago will give you more reach, good for larger streams and rivers. They will still feel great when catching a feisty 8" brook as they have a lot of tip action.

- What type of line should I use?

You should start with the "Traditional Tenkara Line". The traditional line is made to cast very well with any of the Tenkara rods. It is quick to setup and provides a nice delicate presentation. The Traditional Tenkara Line is 10.5 ft. The Level Line is an indicator line that helps see strikes that might not be on the surface. A 8"-12" section of level line is usually sufficient. After the 10.5 ft traditional line, 8"-12" level line, you'll use approximately 4 ft of 5x or smaller tippet. The 'Girth Hitch' is the knot used to attach the line to the rod tip. Be sure a single overhand knot has been tied in the short section of line (red lillian at the rod tip) attached to the tip of the rod.

- I can't find the soft rod tip (red lillian at the rod tip). Occasionally the very tip of the rod may have slide into the thicker segments and the red lilian may have gotten stuck inside. Simply open the bottom screw cap, remove the tip of the rod, and reinsert it.

Features of Tenkara USA Iwana Fly Rod 11':

• Tenkara rods are ultra-portable, very lightweight and will telescope into a mere 20 inches or so, which makes them excellent for backpacking while remaining efficient for fishing most streams. All tenkara rods are appropriate for small stream angling - in other words, you really can't go wrong with your choice. Each rod has distinct characteristics. The Yamame is a heavier rod ideal for those consistently catching fish over 16". The Ayu and Ebisu rods are in the mid-weight range; the 13ft Ayu provides some extra reach, and the 12ft Ebisu has very unique and durable red-pine handle. The Iwana rod is the lightest and perfect for the smaller streams and smaller fish and weight-conscious backpackers or those who want the lightest feeling rod. The action of tenkara rods is defined as a ratio that indicates how many "bottom parts are stiffer : tip parts are more flexible". Rod action should be chosen based on personal preference for more flexible or stiffer rods, and size of fish targeted. For example, a 5:5 rod for slower casting and smaller fish, a 7:3 rod for larger fish.
• Every rod is 100% guaranteed for its life
• Use only tippet of 5lbs breaking strength or less (usually 5X, 6X or 7X).
• Tenkara rods are unique and come with complete instructions on how line attaches (girth hitch at the rod tip), instructions on proper care, and tips for success.
• All Tenkara rods come packaged in a rod sock and custom rod tube.
• The Tenkara Action Index tells how stiff the rod is. The higher the number the more rigid the flex.
• $1.40 of all Tenkara rod sales will go directly to conservation efforts