For fly fishing purists, tenkara style fishing has become increasingly popular in recent years. Tenkara originated in Japan as a simple style of fly fishing using only a rod, line, and fly.
The minimalist approach of Tenkara appeals to anglers looking to scale back and focus on the fundamentals of the sport.
Two of the most well-known Tenkara rod companies in the US are DRAGONtail and Tenkara USA. Both offer a range of rods and lines catered towards Tenkara fishing. However, there are some key differences between the two brands that are worth considering.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | DRAGONtail | Tenkara USA |
| Rod Action | Medium to fast action rods | Slower action rods |
| Rod Design | Spiral carbon fiber construction | High-grade carbon fiber construction |
| Rod Lengths | 8 ft – 15 ft lengths | 11 ft – 14 ft lengths |
| Rod Price Range | $100 – $200 | $200 – $400 |
| Line Selection | Level, furled, braided lines | Level, furled, tapered lines |
| Technique Focus | Flexible for multiple techniques | Specialized for wet fly upstream fishing |
| Fishing Experience | Western-style, all-around fishing | Traditional Japanese tenkara principles |
| Best For | Beginners, all-around fishing | Experienced tenkara anglers |
Overview of DRAGONtail
DRAGONtail is a relative newcomer to the tenkara scene, founded in 2009 by fisherman Patagonia Marc. The Colorado-based company offers a wide variety of tenkara rods, lines, accessories and kits.
Some pros of DRAGONtail gear:
- Broad range of rod lengths and flex profiles to suit different fishing scenarios
- Rods feature a spiral carbon fiber construction for sensitivity and strength
- Lightweight but durable rods constructed from high-grade materials
- Reasonably priced rods good for beginners or budget-conscious anglers
- Offers tenkara-specific fly lines instead of just level lines
- Good selection of learner/starter kits
Some cons of DRAGONtail gear:
- Smaller rod selection compared to other tenkara companies
- Not as much brand recognition or following as Tenkara USA
- Rods may be too stiff/oversized for smaller trout streams
- Quality control issues noted with some rods or components
Overall, DRAGONtail rods offer good performance and value in a range of sizes. The rods skew towards the faster action end of the spectrum, providing more backbone when fighting larger fish. The rods pair well with their Furled Lines for tenkara-style fishing.
Overview of Tenkara USA
Tenkara USA was founded in 2009 by Daniel Galhardo and is often credited with first introducing tenkara outside of Japan. Based in Boulder, Colorado, Tenkara USA markets a wide variety of premium tenkara rods, lines, flies and accessories.
Some pros of Tenkara USA gear:
- Extensive range of high-end tenkara rods for different stream profiles
- Rods optimized for tenkara with softer flex and actions
- Innovative rod materials and technology such as carbon fiber
- Excellent lightweight lines developed for tenkara techniques
- Wide selection of flies, kits and accessories tailored for tenkara
- Established brand with avid following and community
Some cons of Tenkara USA gear:
- Rods and accessories come at a premium price point
- Limited budget/beginner rod options compared to other brands
- Product line can be overwhelming for first-time tenkara anglers
- Not all rods may be ideal for large or hard fighting fish
Tenkara USA gear leans towards the traditionalist end of the spectrum with an emphasis on lightweight and delicate rods for small to mid-sized streams.
While the price tag is high, the performance and innovation is hard to beat for dedicated tenkara anglers.
Direct Comparisons of DRAGONtail And Tenkara USA Road
Looking at specific rod models head-to-head shows the design differences between the two brands.
DRAGONtail Shadowfire 365 vs Tenkara USA Sato
The Shadowfire 365 is DRAGONtail’s 12 ft length, 5:5 action rod which would be comparable to Tenkara USA’s Sato rod.
DRAGONtail Shadowfire 365
- 12 ft length and 5:5 action optimized for all-purpose use
- Spiral carbon fiber construction for lightweight strength
- Line recommended: #3 Level Line
- Retail price: $130
Tenkara USA Sato
- 12 ft 6 in length and 5:5 action for all-purpose fishing
- High grade 40 ton carbon fiber construction
- Line recommended: #3.5 Level Line
- Retail price: $230
The Shadowfire 365 offers a similar design and profile to the Sato rod at nearly half the price point. The Sato rod utilizes higher end materials and construction for improved sensitivity and lightweight balance.
DRAGONtail Komodo 470 vs Tenkara USA Rhodo
For a larger stream tenkara rod, the DRAGONtail Komodo 470 matches up against Tenkara USA’s premium Rhodo rod.
DRAGONtail Komodo 470
- 13 ft length with 6:4 medium-fast action
- Spiral carbon fiber build with thicker diameter
- Line recommended: #4 Level or Furled Line
- Retail price: $150
Tenkara USA Rhodo
- 12 ft 6 in length with 6:4 medium-fast action
- High-grade 3k carbon fiber construction
- Line recommended: #4.5 Level Line
- Retail price: $310
The Komodo 470 provides a slightly beefier rod capable of handling larger fish while the Rhodo offers Tenkara USA’s nimble yet resilient rod technology in a larger stream package. The Rhodo commands a significantly higher price for its high-end components.
Fishing Experience Comparison
Beyond the rods themselves, each brand provides a different overall tenkara experience.
DRAGONtail fishing experience:
- Rods allow for more casting-focused fishing
- Stiffer rods can chuck larger flies and handles
- Gear works well for a mix of nymphing, wet fly swinging, and dry fly fishing
- Provides an all-around western fly fishing experience through a tenkara rod
Tenkara USA fishing experience:
- Focus is on upstream wet fly fishing techniques
- Rods specialized for delicate and precise fly presentation
- Light lines and subtle rod actions optimize pure tenkara techniques
- Stresses simplicity and connection through traditional tenkara
For anglers who enjoy fishing big flies or have a western fly fishing background, DRAGONtail’s slightly stiffer rods give the power to lob larger patterns and manage strong fish.
Tenkara USA aims to provide a more authentic overall tenkara experience through refined rods, lines, and techniques.
Line Recommendations
Both rod manufacturers offer their own lines to match their rod designs.
DRAGONtail Lines
- Level Lines – Traditional tenkara level lines from #3 to #5 for all rods
- Furled Lines – Tapered, twisted tenkara lines with level portion and transition
- Nimbus Lines – Lightweight tenkara lines made of braided UHMWPE and PVC
Tenkara USA Lines
- Level Lines – Premium fluorocarbon level lines from #3 to #6 for all rods
- Tapered Lines – Specialty furled and tapered tenkara lines for delicate presentation
While either brand’s level lines will work fine, the furled/tapered lines can offer better presentation when paired with matching rods. DRAGONtail and Tenkara USA also both make high-visibility versions of their lines for easier tracking.
Which Brand Is Right For You?
Choosing between DRAGONtail and Tenkara USA comes down to your budget, preferred fishing style and desired tenkara experience.
For beginning tenkara anglers or those on a tight budget, DRAGONtail offers quality rods at lower prices to get started. The stiffer actions also make DRAGONtail rods easier to transition for fly anglers learning tenkara.
Experienced tenkara anglers or those seeking the truest tenkara experience will appreciate Tenkara USA’s unwavering commitment to premium materials and traditional techniques. The nuanced rods extend the capabilities of tenkara when fished properly.
If you enjoy fishing a variety of flies and techniques, DRAGONtail provides a versatile platform to work from. Strict adherence to traditional tenkara principles leads many to Tenkara USA’s refined rods instead.
Both DRAGONtail and Tenkara USA produce quality tenkara rods with excellent customer service backing them. Consider your budget, fishing preferences, and tenkara goals to decide which brand suits your needs the best.
Also Read: Comparison of Simms Tributary And Freestone Waders.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Some potential disadvantages of tenkara fishing include:
1. Not as well suited for fishing large or heavily weighted flies
2. Light lines and flexible rods limit fighting larger, powerful fish
3. Upstream wet fly techniques take practice to master
4. Approach is more specialized than regular fly fishing
5. Less versatility for different techniques like nymphing or streamers
6. Gear selection limited compared to western fly tackle
For beginners, a #3 or #3.5 level line provides a simple starting point to learn tenkara techniques.
More advanced tenkara anglers often prefer furled or tapered lines. The thinner tippet end turns over flies more delicately while the tapered body improves fly presentation and helps line control.
However, level lines allow for easier casting over a variety of distances. Tenkara level lines are also less expensive and easier to repair than specialty furled lines.
For fishing lakes and stillwaters, longer tenkara rods in the 13-15 ft range help provide more reach when casting and maneuvering flies from shore or watercraft.
Rods with a more moderate medium or medium-fast actions are also preferred, as they allow casting larger wet flies and indicator rigs more easily while retaining flexibility to fight fish.
Some top tenkara rod choices for lakes include:
1. Tenkara USA Amago – 13 ft, 6:4 action
2. DRAGONtail Mizuchi – 13 ft, 7:3 action
3. Tenkara USA Iwana – 12 ft, 5:5 action
4. DRAGONtail Tenkara Komodo – 13 ft, 6:4 action
While designed for smaller trout on delicate streams, tenkara gear can certainly hook into larger fish in the right hands. Much depends on the angler’s skill and the rod’s capabilities.
With the correct technique, tenkara rods are quite capable of landing sizable fish such as:
1. Trout over 20 inches
2. Salmon over 10 pounds
3. Bass over 5 pounds
4. Panfish over 1 pound
Final Thoughts
The key is choosing a Tenkara rod with an extra-fast action and some backbone to provide more lifting power while retaining flexibility. Tenkara tackle handles larger fish best in slower currents rather than fast waters.
In summary, Tenkara rods may be light and delicate but they can hold their own against big fish when fished properly. The challenge is part of the fun!
