I Used This Keiryu Rod as a Tenkara Rod-Is It Any Good? (Tenkara Fly Fishing)

I'm a tenkara angler, but today I fish a keiryu rod in a beautiful new mountain stream.
► Here's the rod: www.keiryurodc...
DATE FILMED: Late August 2022
LOCATION: Utah
GEAR USED
** SEE MORE INFO ABOUT MY FLIES AND GEAR HERE: tenkaraaddict....
** ROD: Keiryu Rod Co. Ansel (www.keiryurodc...)
** LINES: Some sort of 9.5 ft floating line and then an 11-foot level line (#3.5) with a few feet of tippet
** FLY: Various size 12 kebari as shown in the video
** NET: Medium Measure Net with rubberized net bag
OTHER LINKS
** Instagram (@TenkaraAddict): / tenkaraaddict​​​​​​
** My main KZbin channel (SUVRVing): / suvrving​​​​​​
#tenkara​​​​​​ #fishing​​​​​​ #flyfishing

[@TenkaraAddict]

Here's the rod if you're interested: www.keiryurodco.com/shoprods/p/ansel-rod

[@jeffreybrown3603]

Tristan - i would like to see you fish the Keiryu Rod with live bait. I am always looking for new interesting ways to fish and using live bait would be another way to have some additional fun outdoors. Thanks for sharing this wonderful creek with us.

[@michaeldubartell8991]

Nice video. I have the Ansel and love it. It is very light weight at 2.3 ounces. I fish mostly medium sized streams with trout that are averaging 12-14 inches with a good number in the 18-20 inch range. Water depths usually 2-5 feet. This is where this rods shines. I fish small weighted nymphs as the terminal fly with an unweighted kebari about 15-18 inches above. It’s a killer combo and the stiffness of the rod (mostly at the butt end with the tip being very sensitive and flexible) really helps with larger fish. This rod also comes with an extra tip included. Thanks for your videos! They’re very high quality and a lot of fun!

[@appalachian_af2710]

Definitely would like to see the keiryu rod in action with bait. Small hook with split shot, forage your own bait at the source as the style is intended (whether it's digging worms and grubs, or collecting may or stone flies off of rocks) also weighted flies or even soft plastics lures like small tubes, Nikko hellgrammites/pinheads, trout magnets, etc.

All of these work well. I find that even weighted flies benefit from split shot unless they’re heavy even by beadhead standards. I’ve also tried trout magnets and had success since they’re 1/64oz jig heads. The kit is about as big as my tenkara fly box and I think it’s a similar approach. The bodies are all the same shape and sizes so they’re a suggestive lure - and pink could be a work, black/yellow/brown a stonefly, black/brown a leech, any baitfish, grubs, helllgramites, you name it. There’s also the 1/200oz mini magnets which I haven’t tried yet. For clarification, I’m mostly a tailwater fisherman so I use a Nissin Yuyuzan 620.

[@ryanshields4842]

I've actually requested In the past that you try out a keiryu rod. Would love to see you try out a longer rod with some live bait! Maybe shoreside on a slightly larger body of water even though it isn't your preferred style. You never know if you like something unless you try! I have an absolutely ridiculous 24 foot rod from goture. I don't use it that often because it it admittedly cumbersome, but it offers a different fishing experience that makes it even more fun to catch fish on. Thanks for always bringing the great content!

[@carlosandreblatt]

To make a long history short, if one likes beefier and faster tenkara rods, a keiryu rod will be a nice subtitute for it. On the other band, if you like lighter, sofrer tenlara rods for smaller quary, then seiryu rods (like the daiwa sagiri or the suntech kurenai) would be your best bet. Another nice vid, Tristan. Thanks for sharing. 🙏👍💕

[@mvsc-k5e]

totally agree. i have all of the above. depends on my mood that day lol😂

[@craigstockton3103]

Been fishing Tenkara and Keiryu for over 11 years. SUNTECH SAWANOBORI is a fantastic rod. TROUT BUM sells them and they are extremely light and a pleasure to fish. I use a #3 level line mostly. Thanks for another great video.

[@michaelcapurso]

Nice video. Keiryu lines are very different from Tenkara lines, and a few feet shorter then the rod including the tippet. The technique is for the line to hang 90 degrees from the rod tip throughout the drift, so the drift is as natural as can be.

[@stevebergeron8763]

I have had a Keiryu T100 for about 5yrs now and have great success in both rivers and streams. At 17.7 ft you can manuver into some interesting spots. Great video

[@craigdandy1808]

When I was a kid, in the sixties, I would tie a number four snelled hook to 4lb mono fishing line/leader on my 8 kmart fly rod. Cover the hook with crawler, careful to pinch off any excess, and drift the bait into any pool on the Au Sable to catch tons of brookies.

[@jasonwooden]

Lol, your first fish appeared right on cue when you said "who would like to see me fish this rod with live bait?". Looked like a live bait volunteer to me! (Green River/North Slope Cutts)

[@leemowers9395]

Interesting alternative rod, gives you the live bait option as well as standard flies and tenkara kebari presentations. Thanks Tristan for sharing.

[@kenneth4992]

I bought the Uxcell, currently unavailable, and Fido rods, 2 for $17.99, on Amazon. They are Keiyru rods and biggest difference i noticed was the way I feel the hit when a fish kits the wooly bugger or Pistol Pete. Thanks for showing this rod. GOD Bless you and your family

[@bobjohnson7207]

Man this is a great channel.I particularly like the way you take care of the fish you catch. Personally I catch trout up to 10lbs+ but totally respect your fishery. As I use barbless hooks anything under 4lbs. I just give the trout a roll cast near the boat and they pop off. That way I can get the fly back fishing faster.

[@ericintampa9352]

insanely good "roadside" fishing and decent sized fish to boot. great video Tristan. I appreciate it.

[@MancingTanago]

What a river with so many fish that it is so easy to catch them. Memorable Tenkara Trip😄👌

[@kats1978]

I like slightly stiff rod with thicker line, tapered nylon or 3.5 and above level line. So this rod seems and sounds like good fit for me. Thanks for the great review again.

[@Willburden]

Keiryu (Kay-re-you) is ideal for weighted nymphs, and I generally fish them in longer lengths/shorter lines, especially in bigger water, bigger fish. (Not headwaters - that’s Tenkara/Seiryu water, for me.)

[@KeiryuRodCo]

Tristan - thank you for taking the Ansel out for a spin! Great to see you caught 18 cutthroats, nicely done!! For those interested, we designed the Ansel from the ground up to excel at nymphing, but tweaked the action to ensure it can cast dry flies accurately and with finesse. As stated in one of the comments, the Ansel has a very sensitive and fast tip paired with just the right amount of stiffness in the lower sections. This rod also comes with a lifetime warranty and is backed by our customer service (which we take to heart). Finally, a word on bait and Keiryu. While Keiryu is associated with bait in Japan (although this is changing with lots of anglers over there now nymphing), our philosophy has been to evolve Keiryu in the U.S., with a focus on creating fixed line fly fishing rods that can excel at subsurface fishing (e.g. nymphing, euro-nymphing), can provide big water/big fish advantages, and can offer great versatility. If anyone has questions, please contact us at [e-mail] or call 800.595.9643. Tight Lines!!!

[@Wendygaechter]

I really like this rod for nymphing! Great design, David.

[@bobcatethan8919]

Always such a joy to watch you fish a good stream.

[@billbarsh3061]

Love to see a live bait video!

[@robertleslie2467]

Another fantastic video flick! I can imagine that rod also being good for bluegill, crappie, and small bass here in central Texas. Keiryu style would smoke those fish as would tenkara style. Lots of urban corporate and golf course ponds as well as the San Gabriel river here in Georgetown. Love my Tenkara USA Sato and Dragontail Hellbender but would definitely give that rod a go. Mahalo for all you do and Mele Kalikimaka!

[@michaelsmith7193]

Interesting rod. I would like to see you fish a longer keiryu rod ( say, 14+ feet ) on a high country lake or large beaver pond. The added length and “heft” should allow for a tandem rig, perhaps two nymphs or a dry/dropper - and a bit more distant reach from shore. Speaking of flies, I really liked that first fly you used, the soft hackle. Excellent video - thanks, as always!

[@Wildtr0ut]

Thanks for the videos. I’ve been following you for some time (subscribed). I don’t fish tenkara but I’m learning a great deal from your technique. Please keep them coming. Have you done a video showing the camera you use, how, where, you mount it. IMHO, your video acquisition is as good as it gets. In this video, the colorado river cutts are beautiful. I’ve fished them in the tributaries of the Green in Wyoming and in northern Utah. The pink coloration is magnificent. Thanks for taking me along on a mental vacation.

[@sharongrosscup6956]

awesome fishing stream clear no over hanging trees, and the hook sets appeared to be easier. Got get one of these rods.

[@dourmoose]

That’s a gem of a stream.

[@Droptineful]

Great video!

[@fiveweight633]

Thanks again for your intuitive videos.

[@j.ericswede7084]

Love to see you fish the rod with bait. Great little creek.

[@tenkaraintheiowadriftless]

Thanks for the interesting video. That was a really fun creek to fish. That rod seems to be at the extreme short end of keiryu rods (some are as long as 30 ft!) but I guess that makes sense if it’s being marketed for tenkara as well. I own a Suntech Keiryu Sawanobori 53, which is also marketed as a crossover rod. As you might imagine, at 17 ft it has a lot of rotational momentum and wind resistance, and two-handed casting is preferred to keep the right forearm from wearing out. I don’t use it much, mainly because there are few creeks here in the Driftless with enough width and overhead casting room to dictate its use.

[@logannewman4532]

I have a 18' Keiryu rod and I can't imagine using it for Tenkara. It is so heavy. I throw some big popper flies and streamers on it mostly for bass. I do have a line with a sighter that I put on it sometimes to do a sort of keiryu version of euro-nymphing.

[@kenjones2973]

Great episode, love to see it used in its origonal purpose, cheers, Ken (Australia).

[@mitchellrash9847]

I would love to see a video of fishing this rod with a heavy two bead head euro rig and with an indicator. Thanks for the content, I've learned a lot.

[@PenDragonsPig]

i believe a keiryu can be used with a small float and a seiryu (?) is softer, shorter keiryu. i built my tenkara as a hybrid. i think kieryu can be very long, like a tenkara/keiryu spey- fly, flies, live bait, with weight and/or weight. or something like that

[@JohnSneed5502]

Nice! Always interesting to try something new. I am imagining a 30ft keiryu with sand crab bait on an Atlantic beach for big redfish or striped bass.

[@seanerichumphreys5253]

Very good/interesting video. Love to see more Keiyru stuff.

[@bradleyjohnson452]

I would be happy to help with your 'too much gear' problem. Feel free to send my way. Just received my first order yarns and a pair of snips. I can't wait to start tying again.

[@jonclay1563]

Thanks nice stream. I wouldn't be interested in that rod. Lots of fish got off any thoughts? Rod, hook, fisherman ?

[@markperritte]

Yes would love to see more

[@dejongster1216]

Having watched most of your videos, what type and brand of drone do you use when sharing arial vies of the creeks, streams, and rivers?

[@truchaslibres]

Precioso el lugar , vaya librea tienen esas truchas. Un saludo desde España !!!

[@tomdwyer8974]

Love your videos. Where can I purchase Idaho Killer Kebari flies, as I don’t tie flies. Thanks.

[@SkepticalRaptor]

I’d love to see you fish with live bait. I think that would be very cool to watch. I also want to see you clean, cook, and eat some trout. That may be less likely 🤣

[@jamesgaul3544]

It would be nice if David at Keiryu Rod Co. would send you the T100 rod to test.

[@marklettow6610]

I don't think I would buy a Keiryu rod. I don't like to fish with live bait for a couple reasons. No. 1 is that the fish tend to swallow the bait, which makes it hard to release them unharmed. I try hard not to seriously injure the fish I catch, though it does happen sometimes. Reason No. 2 is that I don't like to buy or carry around live bait, or put it in clean streams. Part of the sport of tenkara or fly fishing is catching and releasing fish, so that others many enjoy success in the same area another day.

[@vladd5291]

By live bait, he doesn’t mean night crawlers. What Keiryu anglers do is forage the fishing area for live bugs and put them on the hook

[@zarvelda9679]

There are hooks made for that. And the soft rod tip of keiryu allows for a hook up in the mouth. Do a little research and you may be surprised! 😁

[@noahwilliams2258]

I use them for fishing heavy nymph rigs like a euro rod. Keiryu rods are designed to cast with split shot and fish the bottom of the river - tenkara rods are for unweighted flies in the relative top of the water column. They have soft tips so the fish don’t feel tension, and backbone for deep water hooksets.

[@jakewild1138]

I have gravitated to the Japanese methods. I'd love to see you explore some other styles.

[@nathensprings3470]

Probably should think about making some shirts that say “see ya buddy”

[@robertperman8967]

What is the idea of no reel? Another nice stream👍👍👍

[@richardingraham6353]

I use several of the corkless rods as tenkara . Some are heavy for big fish , some are very light for very all fish .

[@29Goliath]

nice fish!　TENKARA is cool

[@arachnoskull6311]

I have to deal with Steelhead and chinook salmon takeing my tenkara flies so much i stopped using my Mutant zx380 and Mizuchi zx340 and had to change to heavy 7:3 and 8:2 rods I wanted to know if Keiryu were any good thanks!

[@dvdschaub]

I'd like to see you fish a 17ft. keiryu rod on some big water.

[@deanfirnatine7814]

Yes try it with bait. I would like to get that as a survival pack rod so I can fly fish or bait fish.

[@josepha.freivaldsr.9636]

+1 on at least one Keiryu fishing video.

[@richardbuie8467]

Have this rod and it’s a nymphing beast. Use it with 2 nymph rigs. Much better than my Tenkara rods for this tbh. The action on this rod is great for drifting and controlling fish in pocket water. Never used with bait and never will. Why use bait when you can catch all the fish you want nymphing?

[@Wendygaechter]

What is your leader construction for nymphing? That's exactly how I use mine. Most formulas are for longer rods.

[@509bunnyhaven]

I've been interested in getting a keiryu rod from the same company, tn provo or the t100 look great and are well rated but I actually grabbed a wasatch t hunter in The 8:2 that bridges the gap between tenkara and keiryu that I'm excited to get out on the water!

[@lexpatterson5098]

Cool....lets buy some worms and get after It 😁

[@D2chukhna]

Tenkara roughly translated into English is “bouncing fish off of rocks”

[@robertkemp622]

The rod looks kinda heavy and stiff as you flick it on the stream. But I'm not acquiring more rods at this point anyway. Another Utah stream with lots of fish!

[@davew7250]

Random question not to this particular video. How many Game Wardens have you had the pleasure of interacting with?

[@MotoEnLoCo]

Anyone else finding themselves saying, “See you, buddy” when releasing a fish?

[@АндрейСеменов-ъ5с9ж]

Прекрасный отдых и рыбалка.

[@janpastorix6548]

Landing small fish with this rod, looks more like you catch butterfly 😉. They just fly...

[@jakewild1138]

Keiryu= ki-d'yū

[@christopherstewart9874]

Three syllables. Kay-ee-rd'yoo. The "r" is basically just the starting point for your tongue and the "d" is a quick tap of your tongue to the roof of you mouth. Remember the tennis star Bjorn Borg? His first name is pronounced byorn. The d'yoo is about the same. No "duh" or "dee" sound, just say "you" with your tongue starting in the "d" position. No emphasis on the "r" or the "d". Be careful that you don't say kay-ear-d'yoo. The rd'yoo is a separate syllable.

[@jakewild1138]

@@christopherstewart9874 to much... My statement was from my Japanese friend.

[@losponchos4083]

渓流、Kei-ryu. First pronunciation was correct and not the second which you had been using inside the video. Just for your information.

[@steveburlingame1935]

Live bait

[@mattyman5dodge101]

The problem with live bait is the fish inhales it. Even with barbless hooks, the fish is hurt. No problem if you're keeping them but Tristan doesn't do that.

[@noahwilliams2258]

Chris Stewart from Tenkara Bum wrote about this. Keiryu rods are sensitive enough to detect strikes before bait is swallowed. Plus, they’re better for larger fish and heavier rigs.

[@bobcatethan8919]

Ag Ag

[@serpent6710]

Would be a good weighted nymph rod. I’m sure it’s been done and done before the euro nymphing hype 100 years before it