With the Tenkara you can snake your rod through the bush's and do a bow and arrow cast very easily. If you want to do some research the 10ft rods have been in use in Europe for a number of years. Orvis makes a 10 ft western that is not sold in the States that is popular over there. The Cortland I have came from GB, so even though it seems the "rage" here is to go to longer rods they have been in use in other parts of the would for a long time.

My Cortland is a 4-5 wt and it works well with both. Saying that I am not anal about how the rod performs with what line. If I can put my fly especially a nymph where I want it I'm good to go. Besides I prefer cane.