Czech nymphing, did you say? Here's the rod for you -- Daiwa Keiryu-X 33.

Before I started fishing tenkara, which I do 99% of the time now, I was into Czech nymphing. I had a 10.5' rod designed for Euro nymphing, and was enjoying this technique immensely. I started Czech nymphing after following the competitive fly fishing teams.  I generally used two heavy nymphs and would catch fish only 12-15 feet away. It was pretty cool.

Czech nymphing is an amazingly efficient form of fly fishing. It may not have the beauty or aesthetics of long distance casting, or the romance of classical dry fly fishing, but it is far more effective. Competitive fly anglers usually don't fish dry flies, they go where the money is -- nymphs. 

Tenkara rods can be used as Czech nymphing rods, but they are usually to soft to cast heavy nymphs. It can be done, but not the way Euro nymphing techniques require. Faster or stiffer tenkara rods are better, but are still lacking in the stiffness needed. Keiryu rods are better.

Keiryu rod are long, light and many have the stiffness needed for effective casting of heavy nymphs and proper hook sets. Of  the keiryu rods available, I think the Daiwa Keiryu-X series would be some of the best. They have everything you'd want: lightweight, compact when nested, stiff enough but not like a western rod (broom stick), and they are designed by a Japanese company. 

I have the Daiwa Keiryu-X 33. What a rod! Its length is perfect for reaching anywhere you'd want. Combined with a thin fluorocarbon line, you can flip cast heavy flies perfectly to perform flawless Czech nymphing. It's a blast fishing deeper riffles and runs with this technique. 

The Daiwa Keiryu-X 33, sporting a blue/black coloration, is only 39.5 cm when nested. This is compact enough to fit in your travel bag. It's a full 330 cm when fully extended, yet is only 64 g (without the tip plug)! This rod will not tire out your arm when doing the horizontal reach position required for Czech nymphing. The rod has a very attractive "visible X pattern" of carbon fibers on the handle section that makes the rod both very strong and beautiful. 

The rod is stiff by tenkara standards, coming in at 46 pennies on the Common Cents Scale. That makes it a whopping 14 on the Rod Flex Index chart. The rod has a recommendation of no stronger than 5X tippet, but unlike western rods which need a reel to protect the tippet, this rod flexes just enough to provide protection, even in fast currents. Besides, smaller diameter tippets get the flies down faster than heavier tippets. And after all, that's the name of the game with Czech nymphing. 

So, if you like the Czech style of fishing, or would like to try it, then I'd recommend the Daiwa Keiryu-X 33. Another recommendation is if you throw larger flies, like streamers and want a rod you can easily take anywhere, then this is your rod too. You can get one from TenkaraBum. 

Disclaimer: My opinion regarding this rod is just that, my opinion. Your opinion may differ.  Also, your rod may not have the same length, issues, or functionality as my rod. There are variations between rods, even in the same production run. No description can fully tell you how a rod feels or fishes. For this, you must personally hold, cast, and fish the rod then make up your own mind. 
I receive advertising revenue from TenkaraBum, but this does not imply a favorable review of their products. I was loaned the rod and it was returned to Chris Stewart.

A Little Post-Solstice Fishing

After a month of not really being to get onto the water, I was able to do a little fishing. It felt great. I fished for a total of 90 minutes; the water temperature was 34° F and the air temperature was 32° F.

I decided to fish a stretch of stream that I knew well. I pretty much knew where each of the fish would be. The only thing I didn't know was what species of trout would be at each spot, brown or cutthroat.

This time of year, when ice has formed on the side of the stream, I have found that the trout hold in very shallow water right under the ledges of ice. I generally fish beadhead pattern in winter, as many of the trout hold tightly against the stream bottom as well, but casting these heavier flies into shallow water takes some adjustment. The splash of the beadhead seems to get the fish's attention and then, if you can keep the fly from snagging the bottom, you will see the trout dart out from under the ice to take your fly.

For this outing I used my Nissin Royal Stage 360 7:3. I like this rod for faster waters that have the potential for larger fish. I didn't catch anything very big the other day, 14 inches being the biggest, but it's the current speed that dictates what rod I'll fish on any given day. I can handle any trout in slow water with pretty much any rod, but in fast water, that's a different story. I like a rod that will give me some effective leverage. The Royal Stage 360 7:3 does just that.

I like this rod more than the Zerosum 360 7:3. They feel pretty much identical, except that the Royal Stage is just a hair beefier. I also like the longer handle. It gives me more grip positions when the casting gets challenging. It's just a great rod.

I caught browns and cutthroats, but no whitefish. I saw a few big whitefish; they are what I gear up for in winter. A large mountain whitefish can really tax you rod and your fish fighting skills, especially in fast water. I like catching them, but they fight differently than trout do.

Anyway, I had a lovely time, and I look forward to getting back out on the water as soon as I can.

Here's a basic video of some of the fish I caught. No music, no entertainment value, just a vlog of the trip:







Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all. I hope this coming year sees you fishing more. Hey, maybe we can fish together sometime!

Two New Suntech Rods from TenkaraBum -- rod #2

I recently published a post about a new Suntech rod, the Suntech GM Suikei Keiryu Special 27. I mentioned that it was one of two new rods introduced from Suntech. Here I briefly present the second.

First, let me make a bold statement. In my opinion, the Suntech GM Suikei Keiryu Special line of rods is the most complete and versitile rod line of high quality, multi-length rods currently available. They are aesthetically beautiful, fit and finish are perfect, and functionally they are amazing. They can cast a lightweight level line with unweighted flies and yet also handle tungsten head head nymphs. They are available in short lengths for headwaters (GM27), standard length of 310-360-390 cm (GM39) for most streams, and for larger waters there is the GM44 (360-400-440 cm). Now there is the GM53!

The Suntech GM Suikei Keiryu Special 53 is newest in the line of these multi-length rods. Like its shorter siblings it is perfect in its construction. Since all of its more terminal parts are interchangeable with its shorter siblings I won't go into much detail. But suffice it to say, it looks exactly like, but just a bit larger, the GM39 and the GM44.

The action is smooth and it casts a #2.5-3 line beautifully. Given its length, its a two handed rod. It can be fished as a classic keiryu rigged rod with bait and weight, or as a long "tenkara" rod with flies. Like all the rods in this line, the GM53 is recommended for tippet no stronger than 6X. However, I usually use 5.5X or even 5X routinely and have not issues with trout up to 22 inches in high gradient streams.

The test for this rod show it to have a CCS rating of 26, 26.5, 26.5 pennies at 4.5, 4.9 and 5.3 meters, respectively. This gives it an RFI of 5.7, 5.4, and 5. These measurements are in the perfect range for rods that can do it all -- cast light lines and light flies, as well as furled lines and heavier flies. The hook sets for these rods are quick and sharp, and the rods have enough backbone to handle some very nice fish.

Weight without the Fuji cap

Here is a recent post by Jeff Roberts on the Tenkara-Fisher forum regarding his new GM27. If the GM27 can do this, think what the GM53 could do with the right technique and skills!

"I have really been enjoying the new GM 27!!! Great rod for smaller streams and smaller fish. Super light in hand, perfectly balanced, and just a joy to fish. Today I was given a real life test of Suntech's quality and engineering powers! I caught a carp! Yes, the smile is still on my face. I was fishing 10' of Oni size 3 level line, 3lbs tippet and a double bead head kebari. I will admit the colder water probably helped as the fish was probably not as lively as it may be in warmer water. However, I'm going to credit many years of catching larger fish on fixed line as well. Amazing fight of which I will never forget. Rod held its own without breaking tippet! Again, this is not a stout rod so please don't see it as such. It truly is fun on small fish. However, if you were concerned about the occasional larger trout, I feel like I just squashed your fear. Buy this rod!!!! LOL"

Here is his fish:

So, I'm going to make my bold statement again. I feel that the Suntech GM Suikei Keiryu Special line of rods is the most complete and versatile rod line of high quality, multi-length rods currently available. The addition of the GM53 just makes the rod line even better!

If you want to get a GM39, GM44 or the GM53, they are available from TenkaraBum. You can get a GM27 from TB too.

Remembering Warmer Times

I was recently going through my collection of video data from this past year and came across some footage of a trip I did in the fall. I fished a section of river that I had never fished before but enjoyed quite a bit.

The reach had deep runs, pools and areas of very fast riffles. It was very challenging, in that the tree branches hung over the river in most places, making casting frustration. In the areas that were more open I took browns and cutthroats, so I know that in those other areas there had to be plenty of fish. I just couldn't present the fly to them.

This is my kind of water. It was technically challenging, and somewhat frustrating. There are easier reaches to fish on this stream but I shy away from those. Those sections get hit hard by western fly anglers, but they leave the more challenging sections alone.

Now that the weather has turned cold, I miss those warmer outings. I look forward to some winter fishing, but it's hard not to look back with fondness on those warm autumn days.

Tenkara Tanuki 275 -- another wonderful small stream rod

I have a Tanuki 375, which I really like. I use it all the time on on many of my streams. I mainly use it when I plan on fishing beadhead nymphs (mostly winter). It's a great rod and is built wonderfully. It has become one of my "go to" rods.

This last year, Luong Tam, founder of Tenkara Tanuki, released the Tanuki 275. I had the opportunity to fish a prototype at the Tenkara Guides Oni School, fishing the rod on the lower Provo. I really liked the rod. But unfortunately I broke it on a 16 inch brown that I couldn't keep out of some heavy, fast current. I was pretty bummed, but Luong was very kind and didn't bat an eye when I brought it back to him in pieces.

Luong Tam, in the orange. I'm right behind him, in the brown.

Luong got input from many other anglers from around the country regarding the rod and then released a version of the rod for the Appalachian Tenkara Anglers group. Here's what Luong says about its development: "Most credit for the 275 should go to Appalachian Tenkara Anglers and many Facebook members. They have given me a lot of feedback during the development.
275 is a very first rod I designed with input directly for fishers not from a pro. It is a work of community." This special edition of the rod was produced in a limited run, had a yellow handle, and was very well received. Well, now the Tanuki 275 has been released for general purchase.

The rod is very beautiful and is somewhat akin to my Black Beauty Tanuki 375. The fit and finish are flawless. The handle is EVA foam on a two tone black/orange design. The finish of the rod is glossy black, and there are a few gold ring accents on the tip of the lower segments. On the tips of the 2nd and 3rd segments (from the tip) are some bright orange accents as well.

The lillian is red and is glued directly to the tip section. The glue joint is well done and the rod can be full disassembled for drying and cleaning.

The tip plug is plastic and gold anodized metal. It has the Tanuki motif on the top and a loop of extra lillian material attached to it. It fits snugly into the handle section and will not spontaneously fall out. The butt cap is gold anodized metal. It is knurled and has a coin slot to aid in removal. There is no air hole.

The rod is very lightweight and perfectly balanced. I feel that it's action is mid-flex. The action is smooth and rich, and the rod casts a #2-2.5 level line beautifully. There is no oscillation or overshoot of the casting action.

Because the rod is mid-flex, hook sets are not quite as sharp as a more tip flex rod. To set the hook you have to move your forearm a little more than some other 270 cm rods. This may be an issue, as it was for me, on heavily canopied small streams. On these streams a short movement, sharp hook set tends to be better in that you don't hit as many branches setting the hook. With a mid-flex rod, the rod absorbs much of the motion of the set, and you have to move your arm more to engage the hook deeply. This is not an issue on a more open canopied stream.

I also found this rod to cast unweighted flies better than weighted ones. Don't get me wrong, this rod will cast weighted flies well -- after all, it was a tungsten beadhead that took that big brown on the Provo.  But the Tanuki 275 really excels casting lightweight flies. If you fish more dries than beadheads, then this rod would be your rod.

Here are some measurements of the rod I was loaned:

Fully nested: 58 cm
Fully extended: 270 cm
Weight (without tip plug): 42 g
CCS: 15 pennies
RFI: 5.6

RFI comparison chart

Conclusion: this is a beautiful rod, both in aesthetics and function. It is perfectly balanced, lightweight, and casts a light level line wonderfully. I found it better at casting lightweight flies than heavier flies, but it did well all the way around. Due to it's flex profile it takes more arm movement to set the hook, but this is only an issue on certain, very tight streams and creeks. I'm not much into the orange coloration, but that's just me. Luong wears orange when he fishes and he catches a lot of fish. All in all, this is a fantastic rod and Luong should be given kudos for its design and manufacturing. Well done, Luong!

You can get one from Tenkara Tanuki or Three Rivers Tenkara.

Disclaimer: My opinion regarding this rod is just that, my opinion. Your opinion may differ.  Also, your rod may not have the same length, issues, or functionality as my rod. There are variations between rods, even in the same production run. No description can fully tell you how a rod feels or fishes. For this, you must personally hold, cast, and fish the rod then make up your own mind. 
I receive advertising revenue from Tenkara Tanuki, but this does not imply a favorable review of their products. I was loaned the rod for review and it was returned to Luong Tam.

Suntech GM Seikei Keiryu Special 27 -- on the water

In my last post I mentioned that I didn't want to fish with the GM27, since it was on loan from Chris. However, shortly after posting that comment, Chris contacted me and said it was OK to fish with it. So, with his permission, I took the GM27 to a nearby small stream to test it out.

The conditions were less than perfect, mainly that the temperatures have dropped over the past week and the water temperature of smaller streams is getting to the point that affects trout activity. The air was 25° F and the water was down to 36° F. Still, I caught a few browns and rainbows.

The rod casts really nicely with a a #2.5-3 line. I used a 7 foot line with 2.5 feet of tippet. Standard overhead casts, as well as side arm casts were easily executed. Specialty casts like air roll cast, slingshot cast and steeple casts also were done easily, even with a weighted fly. Just a flick of the wrist was all that was needed to get the fly to it's intended target.

The 8 inch trout that I hooked didn't tax the rod in any way, and I was able to easily keep them out of the numerous underwater snags of the creek I fished.  Hook sets were quick and sharp.

I love this rod! For my streams, and the type of fishing I do in them, if I needed a 270 cm rod, I'd buy this one. What a great little rod!