High Performance Keiryu & Tenkara Rods.
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Made in Japan.
The Mini is truly a “mini”. its less than 10 inches and weighs less than 1.5 oz, despite that fact that it is composed of 17 sections! This rod is a sophisticated piece of equipment. It is also an absolute delight to cast, especially if you will be casting a lot of dry and wet flies. Once in the water, this rod also provides the best sensitivity of any rod we sell. You can feel the fish touch the fly. In essence, this is an ultra compact & light Tenkara rod that offers greater sensitivity due to the lack of a cork handle.
If you plan to fish with nymphs or a weighted presentation, however, it is best to do so in waters where you don’t have to go too deep. The Mini’s action is really not ideal for strikes in deep holes. Beyond that, you will love fishing with this rod, it becomes and extension of your arm and you will find yourself aiming for ever tighter spots.
SEE BELOW FOR SPECS.
FEATURED PRODCUTS
The MiniMax
Compact excellence. The MiniMax is the culmination of years of work. It is the result of our passion to produce a super compact Tenkara rod that does not compromise on casting finesse and delivers excellent balance, sensitivity, and performance.
Mountain Stream Adventures
The MiniMax is the perfect rod for your backpacking adventures where catching finicky wild trout in the 7 - 11 inch range is the name of the game. We recommend 6X tippet for the MiniMax and you can go down to 8X if you like.
The MiniMax extends to 11.7 ft., collapses to 10 inches, and weighs 2.25 oz when fishing it. The rod uses high end Japanese Toray carbon, providing great sensitivity and balance. This rod is fun to use.
The MiniMax is a Tenkara rod that will excel and throwing kebari and dry flies. You can also get great nymphing results but keep the nymphs to a smaller size.
Casting
We stand by this rod’s ability to cast as good as many of the most premium Japanese rods we have tested. It is one of the few rods, that actually casts 3.5 levels as good, if not better, than a furled line. Our recommended line up for the MiniMax is as follows:
3.5 level line:
Got to line.
10 to 11 ft. + 6X Tippet. We recommend starting with 6X RIO Powerflex.
Furled line:
Windy day line.
10 to 11 ft. + 6X Tippet.
Fujino Tenkara Tapered Midi Soft:
This is your extended reach line, also good on windy days. This tapered line just zooms out.
3.6m line (11.8 ft.) + 6X Tippet.
9 ft Floating Line
All around line. Has indicator for nymphing.
Great on windy days and nice compliment to your level line.
9 ft. + 6X Tippet.
Warranty and Service
The MiniMax comes with extra tip sections and a LIFETIME warranty. Like all of our products, if you have an issue, call us and we will fix the issue so you can go back to fishing. It’s that simple.
SEE BELOW FOR MORE ON SPECS.
60 Money Back Guarantee! Try the Ansel for up to 60 days and return it for a full refund if it’s not right for you.
The Ansel
A a very light and compact (Tenkara/Keiryu) rod designed to master small to medium trout in small rivers and streams.
The action took years to perfect. The result is a fast action rod that is simply superb for nymphing while also casting dry flies beautifully. In fact, the Ansel will cast a 3.5 level line, a furled line, or fly line with accuracy and finesse.
So, is this a Tenkara rod?
We often get asked the question. If you are a Tenkara angler, then think of the Ansel as a Tenkara rod that’s optimized for nymphing with more of a backbone and a fast action tip. If you are a Keiryu angler, the Ansel is simply a compact Keiryu rod, similar in many ways to the Daiwa Keiryu X-36 but dialed back on the stiffness.
Specs
The Ansel rod is a perfect backpacking rod. It extends to 10.9 ft., collapses to 15.8 inches, and weighs 2.3 oz when fishing it. The rod uses high end IM Japanese carbon, providing exceptional sensitivity and feel! Let’s talk about the handle. This rod does not have cork handle. Instead, we applied a friction enhanced coating on the handle section. The lack of cork or EVA foam means LESS weight and MORE sensitivity.
Warranty and Service
The Ansel comes with extra tip sections and a LIFETIME warranty. Like all of our products, if you have an issue, call us and we will fix the issue so you can go back to fishing. It’s that simple.
SEE BELOW FOR MORE ON SPECS.
This 9 ft. floating line is awesome for both Dry Flies & Nymphing.
The line is a perfect match for the 10.9 ft. Ansel rod or any Keiryu / Tenkara rod in the 10-12 ft. range.
For Dry Fly rigs, use about 3 ft. of 6X–5X Monofilament Tippet and attach fly.
For Nymph rigs, use 3-4 ft. of Fluorocarbon Tippet and attach nymph. Optional: attach a 2nd smaller nymph about 18” above bottom nymph.
Made in Japan.
The Nissin Royal Stage 360 (6:4) action is the softer version of the 7:30, which we think so highly of. If your main use case is dry flies / tenkara flies, then this is the rod for you. It is an excellent choice for casting level lines beautifully.
Like the 7:3, we found the Royal Stage 6:4 to offer a great combination of balance, sensitivity, accuracy and overall performance. All this at price point that makes this round a tremendous value.
Made in Japan.
Master Tenkara Tradition in a Medium Action
HISTORY
The Air Stage Fujiryu rods were desinged by a renowed Tenkara master, Hiromichi Fuji. His design for the Air Stage incorporates Fujiryu-style Tenkara (冨士流テンカラ), a specialized approach that he developed. This method emphasizes precision, efficiency, and simplicity, focusing on refined casting techniques and effective fly presentation.
Instead of relying solely on natural drift, Fuji’s method involves subtle fly movements to entice fish. Techniques include twitching, pulsing, or holding the fly in place, know as Sasoi (誘い) to trigger strikes.
DETAILS
The Air Stage Fujiryu 6:4 is the medium action brother to the 5:5. It provides a lot of the finesse ability of the 5:5, while giving the user more backbone and more tip action. In fact, the difference in action between these rods is quite surprising. While the 5:5 has a CCS rating of 12.5 pennies and an RFI of 3.4, the 6:4 ups those numbers to a CSS of 24 and an RFI of 6.49. That’s quite a difference, and yet, it works perfectly.
The 6:4 shines in its all around capability. It will not cast a super light presentation with quite the charm of the 5:5, but it will handle nymphs better, both heavier ones and in the ability to fish them a little deeper. As for dry flies and kebari flies, it will cast those extremely well with a 3.5 level line. If you are one that prefers a 2.5 or even a 2.0 level lines, then the 5:5 is better suited for you. However, if you love dry droppers and all-around performance, then the 6:4 might have the edge.
We gave the rod great marks for its casting of dry flies and kebari’s on 3.5 level, furled and pvc floating lines. With nymphs, the action delivered great lob and bow casts in addition to our traditional Tenkara casts. If you like to fling it and sling it, then you’ll appreciate the 6:4.
Nissin lists this rod with a Harris rating of .8-1.2 which translates, directionally, to 5X-3.5X, with that said, we recommend 6X-5X tippet.
Wood Not Cork
The handle on the Fujiryu is cypress wood that feels like it’s been polished with 500 grit fine sandpaper, it is very smooth. The handle is 7 inches long and features a straight, slightly tapered design that has no concave inward curves to it. For those used to cork, the handle will feel different at first, but it grows on you very quickly.
Overall, the handle is very comfortable. It’s not too thick or thin (about 1” at its midpoint). All in all, this handle fits the personality of the rod.
Aesthetics / Fit n’ Finish
The fit n’ finish on this rod is top of the line Nissin. We especially love the all metal (stainless steel) screw cap. The stainless steel theme is carried to the winding check. On the front end there is a protective plastic tip cap vs. a rod plug, that stays on securely.
In terms of its aesthetic design, the Fujiryu features a jam/plum color. For those wine drinkers, think cabernet. The lettering and logo are in gold bronze and the contrast is aesthetically very pleasing. Finally, maroon stripes occupy the top few inches of the rod. All in all, it is an elegant rod and rich looking rod.
Outdoors and in the sun, the rod has a beautiful, elegant look to it. When the light hits the rod, you may also notice a reflective red line running down the rod, it’s as if there is an inner energy in the rod itself. Pretty cool.
Final Thoughts
The Air Stage Fujiryu 6:4 is an excellent, beautifully made, medium action Tenkara rod that provides all around performance for the Tenkara angler.
Made in Japan.
Signature Tenkara Rod
Nissin’s Zerosum rods are without question among the finest Tenkara rods in the market. In the case of the Oni Tenkara, Nissin looked to start with their best rod and refine it with hands on design input from none other than the famous Tenkara Master, Mr. Masami Sakakibara or as he is referred to in Japan, “Tenkara no Oni” - meaning Tenkara Demon. Needless to say, this rod has exquisite balance, casting ability, and lightness.
Great Casting
Experienced and technical Tenkara anglers will love the Oni Tenkara, but so too will beginners. Why? The rod is among the easiest casting Tenkara rods we have tried, enabling accurate and delicate casts. The rod casts very straight. We were easily and consistenly able to land our fly into a square foot spot on the ground (we must mention there was no wind). We also tested the rod with a variety of lines and asked our testers to rank the rod’s casting ability for each line (see below for video).
The score ranges of our testers were as follows (1-10):
Daiwa PVC: 9.75 - 10.0
Kevlar / Colored Furled lines: 9.75 - 10.0
Nissin 3.5 Level Line: 9.5 - 9.75
Euro Floating Line: 9 - 9.25
Nylon tapered line: 8 - 8.5
As the scores indicate, the Oni Tenkara will cast a variety of lines exceptionally well. While the nylon tapered line scored the lowest, I am confident those scores would increase with some practice.
7:3 Action
The Oni Tenkara is a medium action rod, with appreciable stiffness in the center of the rod transitioning to softer flexibility in the upper sections to the tip. Everything is tight and smooth. The Tenkara rating is a Nissin 7:3.
Quantifying the action, we got a CCS of 18 pennies and an RFI rating of 4.5. The RFI rating puts the action on the very edge of “soft-to-medium” action. Still, to us this felt like a Nissin 7:3 rating. Bottom line: this is a light medium action rod that excels in casting dry and wet flies and will also handle moderate nymphing.
Handle Size
The Oni Tenkara has a concave handle which is less pronounced then many other typical Tenkara rods. At its most narrow point, the diamter of the Oni Tenkara was .984” vs. .835” of the Royal Stage. If you have larger hands, you may appreciate the larger diameter, and one of our testers really loved it. For those with smaller hands, though, the handle could be an adjustment.
Big Fish
Nissin touts the Oni Tenkara as a big fish Tenkara rod. The tippet specs for the rod are 5X - 3X. There is no doubt this rod can land big fish, which certainly adds peace of mind. The rod feels robust and can take a bend. With that said, our recommendation is to stick with 5X - 4X.
Final Thoughts
If confidence leads to performance, then the Oni Tenkara has real practical performance value. When you are so confident in your casting and the rod itself, your mind focuses on application. Reading the water and picking out tiny spots to hit (like a seam in the river that is surrounded by threatening branches and brush). Ownership of the Oni Tenkara is both aspirational and practical.
Made in Japan.
The Sunline Buttobi is considered by many in Japan to be the best Tenkara level line.
SOFT N' SUPPLE
The Sunline Buttobi lines are a little softer and more supple compared to other lines we have tested. Many folks who don't fully appreciate level lines complain of excessive kink in these type of lines, producing a slinky effect. Well, there is good news...the Sunline lines reduces that effect compared to other lines. We still recommend you stretch it as you unspool it. Doing so will result in a very elegant straight line, that will deliver excellent performance.
USAGE GUIDELINES
Level lines pair execptionally well with fixed line rods, delivering light and sensitive presenations. These level lines can be used for dry flies, kebari flies and nymphs.
Visibility is great due to the bright "flash orange" color of the line.
As a general guide, the smallest line (Size 3) will be easier to cast in softer Tenkara rods (5:5 to 6:4 range), whereas those using faster action / stiffer bodied rods, may want to opt for the larger, 4.5 size line.
60 Money Back Guarantee!
Try the T100 for up to 60 days and return it for a full refund if it’s not right for you.
The T100 is a fixed line Keiryu style rod designed to offer extended reach, big fish capability, and excellent perormance in medium to large rivers and lakes.
American Keiryu Rod
The T100 was designed by American anglers, for American anglers. It was thoroughly tested in lots of water throughout this country. It was engineered to catch trout, bass, and carp, delivering excellent performance across a variety of techniques.
Medium Action - The Sweet Spot
The T100 is a medium action rod, with an RFI value of 5.7. It combines the sensitivity and tip flexibility to feel the take, along with the backbone to set the hook and handle larger fish. It’s a superbly balanced approach that hits the sweet spot by fine-tuning the right combination of weight, sensitivity and strength.
As a Keiryu rod, it excels in delivering weighted presentations (including nymphs, artificials, or live bait) into deeper water, while providing for excellent drifts in rivers, streams or lakes. It does this very well, using a light line with 6X-5X tippet.
The Flex Kit
The FLEX Kit comes with both the Owner Yarn Marker rig and the excellent Kevlar Furled Line, giving you flexibility and variety in your fishing tactics.See more details below.
Amazon Reviews
Warranty and Service
The T100 comes with extra tip sections and a LIFETIME WARRANTY. Like all of our products, if you have an issue, call us and we will fix the issue so you can go back to fishing. It’s that simple.
SEE BELOW FOR MORE ON SPECS.
Big Fish, Big Water Tenkara Rod
The Power Zoom 490 is the culmination of years of developing and refining larger rods. It takes learnings from the T100 and TN Provo rods, offering Keiryu style, big rod performance in a Tenkara package.
Specs
The Power Zoom 490 is a zoom rod, offering two length options: 14.5 feet or 16 feet. These lengths are very well suited for larger rivers and streams, while still offering ease of use practicality. When it’s time to break it down, the rod collapses to a very manageable 25 inches and weighs 5.95 oz (w/o the rod plug). While not the lightest rod, the weight reflects the core mission of the Power Zoom, which is to be a very strong & durable rod, engineered to withstand vulnerable pressure points common in many rods. For this, we opted for a stronger carbon vs. a light carbon.
Action
This is a medium action that offers excellent versatility. The numbers are as follows: the CCS rating is 30 pennies, while the RFI is 6.0 or a 7:3 in Tenkara terminology. You may notice the rod lists the RFI at 5.5. Yep, that’s our bad, we kept tweaking and refining the action and bumped the action from 5.5 to a perfect 6.
Use Case
Put simply, the use case is bigger water where reach and depth come into play and where bigger fish often reside. The Power Zoom is rated to 3X tippet and fish in the 22, 23, 24 inch range can be handled.
A key aspect of the use case is the ability to be versatile. This is not strictly a nymphing rod. The Power Zoom’s action allows for very effective casting of dry lines, like the Daiwa PVC or Kevlar line. When it’s time to nymph, use a sinking mono line, like our Euro line and ride out beautiful drag free drifts.
Casting
Floating Lines:
While you can execute a one-handed Tenkara cast, most folks will benefit from a two handed orbit cast. Keep the rod up, draw a tight circle above your head, pause for second, and push out. It’s not complicated at all. After a bit of practice, you will be able to throw out these lines beautifully. Click here to learn more about the Orbit cast.
Mono / Sinking Lines:
Lob it. A nice, gently lob will send your nymph nose diving about 20 ft. out. It’s easy, intuitive and a great way to get flies deep in a hurry.
Final Thoughts
The Power Zoom 490 fits the bill for Tenkara folks needing mor power, while not wanting to sacrifice versatility or for those who may prefer the aesthetics of Tenkara and the feel cork.
Made in Japan.
Keiryu Refined
The Suntech Sawanobori II 52 F is Suntech’s replacement for the now discontinued, but highly regarded, Sawanobori 53. The 53 is not a rod that we previously carried, so we cannot compare the rods, other than to say Suntech felt this was a worthy successor to it. With that, this rod simply excels. It is a highly refined, lightweight, and precision Keiryu rod. Along with the Keikyokugi, it is one of the best Keiryu rods we have tested.
Light as a Feather
The Sawanobori is light, coming in at only 3.01 ounces. The weight really defines the whole experience of this rod - it feels more like a Tenkara rod than a Keiryu rod. For perspective, the Nissin Keikyokugi is 4.06 ounces (to be fair the Keiki is a bit longer at 17.4’ vs 17’), while most 5.4 Keiryu rods land in the 5ish oz range. The lightweight makes handling the Sawanobori almost effortless and really, really enjoyable. If you are one to get fatigued by longer Keiryu rods, then the Sawanobori is your ticket.
Action & Casting
The 5.2 meter Sawanobori has an RFI of 5.96 and a CCS rating of 31 pennies, making it squarely a medium action rod. In Tenkara speak, the rod is a 7:3. The action is tight and clean. The tip oscillates smoothly and straight. Overall, casting the Sawanobori is smooth and precise, aided by its lightweight.
We tested rod with the Daiwa PVC line and 4.0 m Kevlar line, using dry flies and were able to make very precise casts. We used the Orbit cast method and a one-handed traditional Tenkara cast method. One handed Tenkara casting is typically not something we do much with Keiryu rods, but with the Sawanobori, its quite doable!
For nymphing, we used a 3.5 level line and the 13 Ft. Euro Nymph line casting 1 and 2 nymph rigs. Again, the Sawanobori delivered great results, using a Lob cast and the Orbit cast. The Orbit cast will get you out a little farther, while the lob cast brings the fly down like a dive bomber, aiding in getting that fly deep and fast.
Use Case
As a Keiryu rod, the Sawanabori is going to deliver reach (17 ft.) for bigger water and will excel at delivering drag free drifts with sinking lines. All Keiryu rods can cast floating lines for dry nymph applications, but the Sawanobori’s lightweight and action give it an edge in this regard, as well.
The Sawanobori comes with a rotating metal lillian. The metal lillians are stronger and more resistant to damage. TIP - when attaching the line, wet the loop end before synching it and make sure one of the lines of the loop is nestled into the groove in the lillian.
Tippet Rating - Do Not Exceed 5X
The light weight of the Sawanobori is driven by its carbon, which also helps deliver great sensitivity. This is a big plus for getting positive hooksets with smaller, spooky trout.
With that said, the tippet recommendation for the Sawanobori 5X tippet. While the rod is very capable, the lightness of the rod will challenge it when it comes to fighting larger fish. The Sawanobori would not be our first Keiryu rod choice for bringing in 20+” trout, but it is without a doubt one of the best Keiryu rods for fish in the 8 - 20” range.
Final Thoughts
The Sawanobori II 52 F delivers elite premium Keiryu performance, combining light weight, sensitivity, and precise casting.
This fixed Euro style nymphing line provides excellent drifts, high visibility, and superb sensitivity. We make this line using SEMPÉ nylon. This nylon is used in competitive fly fishing for its visibility, dimensions, suppleness, strength, and sensitivity.
Bottom line: Highly visible line that is perfect for drag free nymphing.
TO USE
Attach 3-6 ft. of tippet (Fluorocarbon recommended) and add your favorite nymphs
Cast using a LOB or ORBIT cast
Lift rod, track yoru indicator line and lead your drift
SPECS:
13 Ft. long (17-18 ft. after attaching your tippet).
Sempe line diameter is .011 inch.
Comes with loop for girth hitch knot.
Comes with RIO 3X indicator.
Includes a 2mm tippet ring made in Japan.
CARP RODS / PARTS
Made in Japan.
The Shoryu Koi is a high quality, high performance carp rod made in Japan by Nissin.
6.3 Meter Length and the Power C Curve
The Shoryu measures 6.3 meters or approximately 20.5 feet. This is a long rod which is important when talking about carp rods and more specifically, fixed line carp rods. When hooked, carp will make 5-6 fierce runs and put a real bend on the rod. With a longer rod, that energy is absorbed and dispersed. What we call the power c curve, is the rod at the apex of its power absorption - bent in the form of a C. Luckily, carp will tire out rather quickly after these runs and can be brought in (to the delight and perhaps astonishment of the angler).
Tippet Rating
The tippet rating for this rod is approximately 1.5X. This in turn, translates into a 12 lb. capable rod. To that we add a variety of variables including the aforementioned length of rod, power c curve, skill and patience of angler. Net/net, you can catch plenty of above average carp with this rod and some very very big carp if the execution is done right.
Odds & Ends
The Shoryu is a robust rod that will make other telescopic rods look puny. Collapsed, this rod is 41”, not small by any means. The rod weighs 9.5 oz but carries its weight well, delivering good balance. The handle is wrapped in thread and provides a very good grip even when wet.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Nissin Shoryu Koi 6.3m rod
Soft material sock
ROD SPECS
SECTIONS: 7
EXTENDED LENGTH: 6.3 meters / 20.6 feet
COLLAPSED LENGTH: 41 inches collapsed
WEIGHT: 9.5 oz
ACTION: Medium Action
TIPPET: 1.5X
INTEDED SPECIES: Carp
Section #1. This is the tip section with the lillian.
Prices Include FREE SHIPPING.
Section #1. This is the tip section with the lillian.
Prices Include FREE SHIPPING.
Section #1. This is the tip section with the lillian.
Prices Include FREE SHIPPING.
On The Fly Reference Guide
Download a quick reference guide for Mayfly, Caddisfly, Stonefly, and Midge flies.
Fixed Line Fly Fishing
We design fixed line fly fishing rods inspired by the histories of Keiryu and Tenkara fishing in Japan, paired with our work with American anglers and guides.
Performance Driven By The Physics Of Fixed Line Rods.
Game changing Drag Free drifts, whether fishing subsurface or top water.
Japanese Techniques Perfected For American Anglers.
Keiryu works with Nymphs, Dry Flies, and Artificials.
Choose what works best for you and the situation or mix it up, experiment, and have fun!
We were totally impressed and hooked after catching and releasing so many trout that day using our new Keiryu rod. What an incredible day.
— EASTERN SIERRA FISHING GUIDE 2019
Keiryu represents Japanese optimization of a system of fishing designed to catch fish as effectively and efficiently as possible.
— FISH TACO CHRONICLES 2019
I believe the T100 Keiryu rod is outstanding on rivers here in Montana and any other deep waters. I am dying to try out some of their other rods. Totally satisfied!
— AMAZON VERIFIED BUYER