Dragontail Shadowfire 365 / Tenkara Rod Review

After four months of use, which includes two overnight backpack trips, a couple day hikes into back country waters, and many day trips to my local river, I'm finally ready to talk about Dragontails number one selling rod, the Shadowfire 365. I've had a lot of questions asked about this rod and I hope this answers most of them. Tight lines my friends.
Check out my other channel @SawForgeGarage
Dragtontail Tenkara: dragontailtenkara.com/
KZbin: kzbin.info/door/se4gHNyfVox7oEPlNMu88g
Gear I've used:
Shadowfire 365: dragontailtenkara.com/shadowfire-tenkara-rod/
Bushi furled line: dragontailtenkara.com/bushi-furled-tenkara-line/
Level line: dragontailtenkara.com/dragontail-tenkara-level-line/
Line holder: dragontailtenkara.com/nirvana-tenkara-line-holder/
Line winder: dragontailtenkara.com/tenkara-snap-on-line-winders/
Tippet rings: dragontailtenkara.com/25-tippet-rings-2mm/

[@comabereni1]

This is an awesome review. Well described, enthusiastic, and honest. Can't wait to see more.

[@thebackpackblazer3973]

Much appreciated, Thank you

[@BackcountryExposure]

Great stuff man! It’s fun watching you fish.

[@thebackpackblazer3973]

That was the funnest part of making this.

[@Droptineful]

Great review! My daughter and i have been fishing Tenkara rods for the last 2 years and just started backpacking last year. We have had a blast mixing the two.👍🏻🇺🇸

[@thebackpackblazer3973]

Hey thanks for watching. I appreciate your comment.

[@Clayonthetrail]

Love it. I’ll be looking one up now, thanks for sharing

[@thebackpackblazer3973]

Tenkara definitely has a place. Check them out.

[@Haphagurd]

Nice call I will be checking this out once I get my cast past grade school level

[@thebackpackblazer3973]

Haha, thats the beauty here. The line is so short that line management is a non issue. Miss you man. It's been far to long.

[@Mountain_Maxx]

Those Tenkara rods are pretty sweet, that look like a great gear item for backpacking.

[@thebackpackblazer3973]

Thanks brother. It certainly has a place in the backpacking world. Hopefully we can get out sooner than later.

[@MinuteontheMountain]

Great review, Blazer. Keep it up.

[@thebackpackblazer3973]

Thank you

[@HikeCamp]

Fishing is something I only participate in visually...LOL So, everything you were saying when right over my head... Having said that, it is quite cool for backpacking fisherman..

[@thebackpackblazer3973]

I understand that Max. For me, it's therapeutic. Tenkara is a fun way to fish and I think it's a great option for backpackers.

[@HikeCamp]

@@thebackpackblazer3973 I just enjoy watching you and how you have a ball with it... That is what counts!

[@tj6111]

Hey BB, thanks for the review! I’m out of UT as well - UT county. I’ll probably go for a Dragontail too for a first Tenkara rod. I backpack UL and would rly like to make fishing hikes as opposed to just summiting peaks. I’m leaning on the Mutant as it offers multiple length options and since I don’t fish much, I’m not sure which length I’ll prefer depending on the conditions I find myself in. I hear the Mutant has soft action - even compared to other Dragontail rods. Let me know your thoughts!

[@thebackpackblazer3973]

Hey brother. I appreciate you reaching out. I haven’t used the Mutant personally, however, a buddy of mine has nothing but good to say about it. Being able to collapse it is a plus and makes it more versatile in my opinion. If you’re unsure and have questions call the shop and talk to Brent. He’d be able to answer all your questions.

[@JohnAmes]

That is very cool my friend 👍

[@thebackpackblazer3973]

Thanks John.

[@SilentService640]

Great video. Getting ready to pull the trigger on the Shadowfire for fishing the Smokies in East TN.

[@thebackpackblazer3973]

Thank you. It's a great rod. I was just talking to my buddies about how much I want to take a tour through the smokies. Are you a local there?

[@SilentService640]

@@thebackpackblazer3973 Yep. I'm in West Knoxville, so I can be in the park in about an hour.

[@thebackpackblazer3973]

@@SilentService640 That's awesome. I may have to reach out to you for some advice when I can put a trip together. If you wouldn't mind that is.

[@SilentService640]

@@thebackpackblazer3973 Glad to help.

[@lazylearner967]

I used to fly fish a ton, then I got married.....I still fish from time to time and tied up some streamers and other flies too. I have always wanted to try out a Tenkara set up. great Video to summarize the set up and how to. I am headed to the Uintas the last week of June and might just have to pick up a set up like this one.

[@thebackpackblazer3973]

Thank you. It's a quick and easy way to get on the water. Hopefully you get an opportunity to try it out. After this recent snow melts the Uintas should be great.

[@lazylearner967]

The Backpack Blazer I can’t wait to get out. What flies do you mostly use on small Uintah lakes? I always associated tenkara with soft hackles.

[@thebackpackblazer3973]

@@lazylearner967 That's what's neat about the furled line, you can apply floatant and toss dries. It's washable when your done, however, I wouldn't wash it with soap and water in the lake. They now make PVC floating line specifically for Tenkara, which I haven't tried yet. It's relatively inexpensive (10 bucks). Ideally I'd want a dry line and wet line. I use a lot of scud patterns, size 12 - 18. I find the pink and green extremely effective. I do throw a lot of beadhead streamer/leech patters. The tenkara rod does handle smaller streamer patterns, but I typically reserve these for the fly rod. I don't find the Uinta fish to picky with dries. I think nearly any size 16 dry will land a fish, though I primarily use parachute adams, caddis, and black gnats.

[@lazylearner967]

@@thebackpackblazer3973 I just ordered a Tenkara set up (shadowfire) from Dragontail up in ID. Called the owner and he helped me get a few things as I am new to the Tenkara system. I can't wait to try it out! Thanks again for creating a fantastic video!

[@thebackpackblazer3973]

@@lazylearner967 Awesome my man. It's been something that i've really enjoyed learning. Let me know what you think about it after you take it out.

[@jasonjohn1978]

I made something similar to that out of a broken fly rod when I was a kid to use for bluegill. It was a blast to use.

[@thebackpackblazer3973]

Yeah I’ve thought about seeing if I could do something similar with some of my broken rods.

[@jasonjohn1978]

I kept the eyelets though and ran line through them and to the handle of the rod so I could control the amount of line I had out without having a reel. It worked really good. Probably going to have to do it again since I have no idea what happened to that rod, lol.

[@jasonjohn1978]

I hate to throw out an expensive rod when they’re broke. I always try to repurpose them somehow.

[@thebackpackblazer3973]

@@jasonjohn1978 I'm sure your solution is just as functional as my set up. I don't like throwing away broken rods either. I prefer to keep them in the gear room for battle stories, as long as a fish break them and not my own dumb errors.

[@jasonjohn1978]

Nothing like a good fish story😂 too bad most of my broken rods came from me doing something stupid and not big fish. A few times I didn’t realize until I had a fish on though🤦🏼‍♂️

[@Packsalot]

Great review with quite a bit of detail of all the features. Nice catch at the end. I didn't see any Coke Zero this time. LOL Take care.

[@thebackpackblazer3973]

Haha, thanks Steve. It was still to early to transition from coffee to coke. You'll have to take the rod up with you one of these days.

[@flysomethingdamitdotcom8788]

It shouldn't lay down on the water you use the long rod to hold the light line off the water and above the current that drags the fly.

[@thebackpackblazer3973]

Yeah in general I wouldn’t disagree with that. Stillwater is a little different though, and primarily where I use it. I’ve been very successful using it both ways. Cheers.

[@superdeluxesmell]

Great review dude. Subbed.

[@thebackpackblazer3973]

Hey I appreciate this. Thanks for the support.

[@ernieflynn5124]

What's you biggest fish on your shadowfire?

[@thebackpackblazer3973]

Hi I appreciate your comment. I've landed several in the 18" with this rod.

[@FishfearmeStudios]

After that Dragontail should be contacting you to do a commercial

[@thebackpackblazer3973]

Haha, I appreciate your comment. Talking head stuff isn't something I've done much of. It's certainly been a fun few months on the water with it. I saw those fresh water whales you caught recently, i'll reserve my reply for when I finish watching your latest.

[@zzww9483]

Nicely done review. Is Bushi furled line good for dry flies in your experiences?

[@thebackpackblazer3973]

What's neat about the furled line is you can apply floatant to it, which i've done a few times and it worked great. You can wash it out when you're done. On still water I've used furled line without floatant with a dry fly which worked okay. My preferred line when dry fly fishing on my Tenkara is actual dry line though.

[@zzww9483]

@@thebackpackblazer3973 thanks for your reply! Any recommendation on the dry line?

[@thebackpackblazer3973]

@@zzww9483 I use Dragontails PVC line. It's worked very well for me. Here is a link for it. www.amazon.com/DRAGONtail-Floating-Tenkara-Length-Wanted/dp/B098TZMP2L/ref=asc_df_B098TZMP2L?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80676785625216&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584276310916587&psc=1

[@zzww9483]

@@thebackpackblazer3973 Thx! I will give it a try.

[@chunkylover54]

i hook trees all the time with tenkara. i must be doing it wrong haha. we have a lot of trees in illinois though

[@thebackpackblazer3973]

Haha, it's certainly not immune from tree snags. I certainly find them a lot more while backcasting my flyrod though.

[@maxriopel6661]

Fatty at the end oh man wasn’t expecting that

[@thebackpackblazer3973]

I was surprised also. Thanks for the watch and comment