My experience in teaching folks to fly fish (tenkara or otherwise) is limited, but from teaching others I was surprised to learn that once I get into teaching mode, I am just as thrilled when the learner hooks (and maybe lands) as fish as I am when I am fishing myself. Definitely do not rig up a rod of your own because you will be better able to teach and if you truly get involved in helping the learner, then you will not miss having your own rod. At least that is the way it works for me. ~Paul