TFO Soft Hackle Rod

[scorpion1971]

Well TFO has entered the tenkara market. I just left Fly Masters of Indianpolis who recieved there shipment of TFO's Tenkara rods. They have the 10'6" and 11'6" soft hackle rods. I went to test cast one before work. I cast the 10'6" rod with Moonlite's curled leader. I was able to cast the rod in the parking for about 10 minutes. Only real difference between TFO's rod and others is how fast it is. The Soft Hackle rod is stiffer and much faster. The prices start at 199.99 and come with rod bag and spare 2 tip section. I will try to get up there this weekend for further reviewing.

Mike P.

[Gig]

Glad to see that more and more companys are getting involved in the Tenkara market. It must mean that they think this form of fly fishing is here to stay and not just a passing fad

[moonlitflies]

That is pretty cool! I believe there will be others who get in the market soon as well. You say it is stiffer, can you elaborate on that a bit. Is it a stiff 6:4 or 7:3? Glad to see the line was around for good measure!

Cheers,
Brandon

[Paul Arnold]

The TFO rod sounds short and fast. A western rod without line-guides? I'll be interested to see how this develops.

[chorpie]

Glad to see that more and more companys are getting involved in the Tenkara market. It must mean that they think this form of fly fishing is here to stay and not just a passing fad

I see what you did there!

[billhouk]

I find this humorous in so many ways, I cannot say what ways but it is very funny. Way to go Fly Masters!

[scorpion1971]

That is pretty cool! I believe there will be others who get in the market soon as well. You say it is stiffer, can you elaborate on that a bit. Is it a stiff 6:4 or 7:3? Glad to see the line was around for good measure!

Cheers,
Brandon

Branding,

I would say it is a stiff 7:3. It is stiffer than the Daiwa Kiyose 33SF. I am wanting to test it on some bluegills but I am not sure if the shop will let me try it out on the water. Guess I could try with a cup on the end of it. Will have to wait till the weekend though.

Mike P.

[CM_Stewart]

I was lucky enough to meet Yvon Chouinard at the Tenkara Summit in Montana last year and try his rod briefly. It is indeed suprisingly stiff. That was long enough ago that I couldn't make a good comparison with the Kiyose, so thank you, Mike for your comment. If they do let you try it on the water, I would be very curious to hear a side by side comparison of fishing with the two rods. Also, the Soft Hackle is still not on the TFO website, so there is no way to look at the stats. Do you know what it weighs?

edited to add: The reference to Yvon Chouinard's rod is because I believe he was TFO's inspiration in developing the Soft Hackle tenkara rod and I suspect they modeled their rod from his.

[scorpion1971]

Sorry Chris but I do not know the weight. After a long night drive then work if I try to remember I would be wrong. Will have to wait until this weekend till I can go back.

Mike P.

[scorpion1971]

TFO said they should have the press release next week at the IFTD show in Reno. So I guess some will have to wait till then. Going to try to get back to Fly Masters this Afternoon.