Long Rods for Tiny Streams

[daves]

It's tempting to think that short Tenkara rods (330cm & less) are the best ones for fishing small streams & there is no doubt that this is the case if the streams have a heavy tree canopy, however in open streams there is a strong case for really long rods (410cm & longer), particularly if they are precise casters. I was reminded of this whilst fishing a tiny headwater of Austria's Salzaach River.

A long rod allows for a much better working distance between the angler & fish, whilst still fishing a short line with all the advantage that that offers. It is possible to keep well away from the bank or to hide behind bankside vegetation. Wild fish that rarely see anglers & which live in shallow, clear water are far more spooky than those which have become habituated to the presence of anglers. Furthermore, once spooked they take much longer to recover & start feeding again.

[cm_stewart]

Excellent point. In open conditions a longer rod with shorter line is better than a shorter rod with longer line.

[custheyder]

Absolutely right. I made the same observation in Mountain High here on the forum. I had much greater success with my longer 410cm rod because even though it is longer it still delivers very accurately while keeping me further from the fish and hidden.

[tenkaracz]

I've tried many rods at large variety of waters and think, that 13' length is good compromise.

[adric]

I agree it is often best to be as far away from the water as possible.

Richard