My New Keiryu Rod

by Kristine
(USA)

I have been fly fishing and fly tying for over 35 yrs. In 2011 I read a Tenkara article written by Yvon Chouinard. This article inspired me to purchase my first Tenkara rod. I have had an awesome time fishing these rods ever since. I have a closet full of rods. Most of them sit because I just don’t like casting them. I have three rods that are my favorites. My all-round Tenkara Bum36. It will cast everything from a light nymph to a small hopper. I love my Nissin Pro Spec 2-way 360 for small stream fishing. And my Daiwa Keiryu 33 is used mainly to Czech nymph. This rod has caught everything from large trout to 2” bass. Its also great kids rod.

I have always fished the Daiwa Keiryu 33 as a tight line nympher. My niece used it to fish for Rock Bass and Small Mouth. About 2 months ago I decided to rig a Keiryu line for it. I read Chris’s article and made my line. My first outing with this set up was an eye opener. First of all I love the little yarn indicators. And they made it very easy to adjust them for different water depths. I had lots of takes but very few hook ups, which was frustrating. I also decided that I needed a longer rod. So I asked Chris a few questions and he had some very helpful answers. I decided to purchase a Tenkara Bum Traveler 44. He suggested that the softer tip might help me with my hook sets.

My first outing with this rod was awesome. My second cast produced this very nice Cutbow on a Utah Killer Bug and 6x tippet. I landed plenty of fish and I couldn’t be happier with my purchase. This rod is light and easy to cast all day. Needless to say I should have tried Keiryu fishing sooner.

“The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten” - Benjamin Franklin

"Be sure in casting, that your fly fall first into the water, for if the line fall first, it scares or frightens the fish..." -
Col. Robert Venables 1662

As age slows my pace, I will become more like the heron.