What new rod.

[CM_Stewart]

Not that I know of. The least expensive Japanese rods that I know of that are softer / full flex are around $150-160. I have (but haven't yet gotten a chance to fish with) a little 9' Japanese made rod that will go for about $120-125, but I think that's a bit short for ponds and even most streams unless they're really pretty small. It has a soft tip but isn't full flex.

[tenkara.cz]

Chris, you definitely know that less expensive high quality tenkara rods exist outside Japan and available. You have already tried one and agreed that it is really good rod: http://www.tenkaratimes.com/tenkara-...y-tenkara-rods

The dozens of this rods already fish in the USA and had been reviewed by some respectful anglers.
Jason Klass: http://www.tenkaratalk.com/2013/09/t...try-390-73-rod
Tom Davis: http://tetontenkara.blogspot.com/2013/09/tenkara-times-try-360-64-rod-review.html,
http://tetontenkara.blogspot.com/2014/01/tenkara-times-try-390-73-rod-review.html,
http://tetontenkara.blogspot.com/201...periments.html


Lower price rods are also available: http://www.tenkaratimes.com/tenkara-...ep-tenkara-rod

Sure it is the time to recommend it to FAOL readers.

Oleg

[CM_Stewart]

Yes, but HOSSCOOPER specifically asked for rods made in Japan, and to my knowledge, none of those rods are actually made in Japan. As far as recommending TenkaraTimes rods, you have already done that very effectively.