Tanago rods

[adric]

I have just come across Tanago which is a version of Tenkara but the rods are less than 10 feet long. I found them on the Tungsten bead website. Does anyone know anything about them or have used one. They would appear to be suitable for small stream fishing. I would be intrigued to find out more.

[Paul G]

Chris Stewart is a fan across the pond (C M Stewart on this forum) has a ton of info about them on his site (tenkarabum.com).

Also, if you look through Daniel Galhardo's blog post archive there is a great one with a photo and I think some video of him in a Japanese fishing store. There are shelves and shelves of "fixed line" rods for a myriad of different species and approaches. In fact, the "tenkara" rod shelf in that store was only a pretty small proportion of all the "fixed line" rods available.

I'll see if I can dig out a link to it....

[Paul G]

Here you go, the video is probably the most informative bit:

www.tenkarausa.com/blog/?p=3618

[adric]

thanks I will explore while the snow falls

Richard

[Paul G]

Also, it is worth bearing in mind that there was a perceived need in the UK and America to distinguish some of the shorter rods (principally for smaller fish) - from what would be more easily recognised as a "standard" tenkara rod and the closest/easiest description that became coined was tanago, because there was something of an existing precedent.

However, the "tanago" rods that we have easily available in the UK are at the longer end of the spectrum for what is normally viewed as "micro" fishing (for minnow-sized fish using bait). BUT, as we've mentioned before it is good to be aware of tradition, though not to worry about being too bound by it if you know what you are doing and it is effective, enjoyable and within the rules of the venue. The thing to avoid is to try forcing a square peg into a round hole and using something that is totally unfit for the purpose (this might be in terms of line-casting ability or likely size/species of fish).

In time, there will perhaps be a different term coined in particular countries/locales for what we currently use the best available short-hand of "tanago" for. This could, very likely, reflect an adaptation and use that is a bit different from the place where the particular Japanese tackle originated - and so it might need a new name in order to be clear.

[custheyder]

The problem with shorter rods is that you have to get closer to the fish and sometimes on a small stream they can be very spooky indeed. You also lose a bit of line control. However, having said all that, no reason why you shouldn't get one to play with!

[JP]

In the absence of any other references it’s becoming a common mistake to label all fixed line fishing originating in Japan as tenkara. A look at the video in the link posted by Paul above shows just how small a part tenkara has in Japanese fixed line fishing.

So far I’ve tried three different rods that fit in the tanago category. The Daiwa Sagiri (an 11’ to 13’ zoom rod) the Daiwa Soyokaze and the Tenkara Centre UK 8’ Issu.

Personally I don’t find the handle (or lack thereof) on the Daiwa rods to my tastes… that’s just my opinion; I prefer something a bit more organic. If you don’t mind the lack of a cork or wood handle they both make wonderful tenkara rods (both casting and fish playing).

The Issu is a gorgeous little rod! People can argue all day over whether or not it’s a “proper” tenkara rod but they’d be missing the point. The rod fills a massive gap in the market. In Japan most of the mountain streams seem to have very little in the way of overhead cover so there’s not much need for a shorter tenkara rod… that’s not the case for many small streams in the UK (and the US).

If you want to take the purist approach and fish “traditional” or “authentic” tenkara you’d have to find a stream with sufficient space to use a longer rod. That may not be as open a tree canopy as you may think; I’ve used 11’ and 12’ tenkara rods on streams where 6’ to 8’ rods are the norm for western style/rod and reel fly fishing. You have to think about how you position yourself to fish and always keep in mind you need to have enough room to be able to land the fish as well as make a cast.

But what about the type of streams where it’s so confined that an 11’ rod is in danger of snapping the tip off in overhead foliage no matter where you position yourself to fish? That’s where these shorter rods excel!

Although not strictly fixed line fishing take a look at the first video on the link below. You’ll see John Tyzack and Dean Andrews fishing an 8’ rod with no fly line - just a nylon tapered leader a little longer than the rod. On the day we filmed this style of fishing produced over 100 fish for the pair (sharing only 1 rod). The reel wasn’t necessary as you’ll see in the video.

www.fishonproductions.co.uk/video.html

Notice that the guys are on their hands and knees all the time at incredibly close quarters. Imagine that kind of fishing with one of these little fixed line tanago rods. I don’t know about the rest of the people on this forum but whether it’s considered as tenkara in the strictest sense or not… it has all of the qualities that attract us to tenkara in the first place

[Deleted]

for me tenkara is more about technique than equipment and if a shorter rod suits where you are fishing then use a shorter rod thetroutfly.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/tenkara-minor.html?m=1

I've not used any rods sold as tango/tenkara rods but ive read a lot of articles suggesting they are great for overgrown streams

[flatsghost]

TTF
I recently bought a 10' Tanago from Joel at Tungsten beads co.uk on the recommendation of Stuart Crofts and Stuart Minnikin ( that is good enough for me!). It only weighs 44 gms. Not used it yet due to conditions but I got it for one or two small streams I fish where you can get close to fish and do in fact need to to fish! I think it will be a useful weapon in my armoury. They are in various lengths to 6' and there is a useful link on Joel's web site which discussedTanago. There is not a cork handle on it but I do not see that as an issue personally.
Good luck
Glyn

[Paul G]

Stuart Crofts' enthusiasm is boundless and his face was a picture when he got hold of some of the various rods (including the tanago models) on a rod testing day that myself and John put together www.discovertenkara.co.uk/rod-testing-bonanza/.

Both Stuart C and Dave Southall made additions to their Xmas lists at the time I believe!

[adric]

Thanks for this. The reason why I was interested was some of the streams I plan to fish are quite over grown and suitable for 6 to 8 foot western rod. I plan to try one of the shorter ones seven or eight foot.

I will let you know how I get on.

Richard

[Deleted]

Richard,

Or why do you not get yourself a zoom rod?
I have a few that do 8' to 9'6" all in one or even better 9'2" to 11'
Of course you can always stick 2 rods in your rucksack. I am by no means an expert but almost exclusively fish overgrown small and über small waters and I feel the advantage of the zoom feature or carrying more than just one rod with pre-rigged spools.
Having said that I almost always carry at least 2 rods (usually a stiffer and a softer zoom). The main reason is because I fish with the same enthusiasm for dace, roach, rudd, chub, perch, trout and anything that moves (even minnows sometimes) and I do not want to miss out on the fun when it offers itself.

Just my tuppence

Pete

[cm_stewart]

Jan 23, 2013 9:31:30 GMT Paul G said:

In time, there will perhaps be a different term coined in particular countries/locales for what we currently use the best available short-hand of "tanago" for.

I truly hope that comes sooner rather than later. I labeled the Daiwa Soyokaze a "tanago rod" only because tanago is one of several types of fish (and shrimp) that the rod is used for in Japan. I initially imported them for micro fishing (minnows, darters, sticklebacks, etc) rather than for trout fishing. Because we don't have tanago in the US (you have bitterling in the UK, which is virtually the same), I thought that tanago was as close - and safe - description as I could find for fishing for 2-3" fish. That was before I realized the rod made a wonderful trout rod for tenkara fishing in very small overgrown streams.

Unfortunately, my competitor here in the states, trying to discourage anyone from buying one, derisively labeled its use "tanago fishing" as opposed to true tenkara. Before long, the use of any short rod for tenkara was labeled "tanago fishing" and the rods themselves "tanago rods." I truly wish that on day one I would have just called them the Daiwa Soyokaze.

The tanago rods referenced in the video of the Japanese fishing store were about 3' long (true tanago rods) and nothing even remotely close to the Daiwa Soyokaze or the Shimotsuke Kiyotaki, the rods that are now called tanago rods in the US and UK because of my initial web page. Daniel and the shop owner had a good laugh over using a tanago rod for tenkara fishing, but I'm sure he's not laughing about the number of very satisfied people who have a Soyokaze or Kiyotaki and use it very successfully for fishing streams that are too small or overgrown for his longer "traditional tenkara" rods.

A short tenkara rod is not a tanago rod. Their use is not tanago fishing. It is tenkara fishing, despite what Tenkara USA would like you to believe. I would hope that people will soon call it what it is - tenkara fishing. Call the rods Soyokaze or Kiyotaki or short tenkara rods or whatever, but please stop calling them tanago rods. I stopped that as soon as I realized that tenkara fishing for trout with a short rod was generically being called tanago fishing.

I am very definitely a fan of matching the rod to the stream and to the size of fish. Small overgrown streams require shorter rods. Extremely small fish are more fun to catch with rods soft enough that they can actually put a bend in the rod. I will continue to stock micro fishing gear and rods, and will have true tanago rods when I can get them again, and they will not be the same as the Soyokaze or Kiyotaki. They will be designed for catching very small fish with bait and float, which is what tanago fishing really is.

I have recently learned that tanago fishing is more popular in Japan than tenkara is. I do not wish to offend a legion of tanago fishermen by incorrectly calling fishing with for trout with a longer rod and flies tanago fishing.

Sorry for the rant, but I find it extremely frustrating trying to get the cat back in the bag or the genie back in the bottle.

[adric]

thanks for the detailed answer to my query. I will be looking into getting a short rod come spring time.

Richard

[Paul G]

Jan 28, 2013 16:50:39 GMT cm_stewart said:

I thought that tanago was as close - and safe - description as I could find for fishing for 2-3" fish. That was before I realized the rod made a wonderful trout rod for tenkara fishing in very small overgrown streams.
...

I have recently learned that tanago fishing is more popular in Japan than tenkara is. I do not wish to offend a legion of tanago fishermen by incorrectly calling fishing with for trout with a longer rod and flies tanago fishing.

Sorry for the rant, but I find it extremely frustrating trying to get the cat back in the bag or the genie back in the bottle.

Chris, I don't think anyone would blame you for a term coined in all innocence as a nice shorthand reference. I dare say that the various semantics will sort themselves out as people's knowledge grows outside of Japan and that you will continue to inform that process.