Tenkara Hellbender Zoom Tenkara Fly Fishing Rod

Tenkara Fishing: Tradition, Simplicity & Elegance

Tenkara, a traditional fishing method originating from the mountainous regions of Japan, has captivated anglers worldwide who appreciate its minimalist approach. In remote Japanese villages, where resources were limited, fishermen developed a reliable technique using only the materials at hand – long, flexible bamboo rods, silk or horsehair line, and flies made with feathers or animal fur fastened to bent needles.

This simplistic, yet effective, solution has found its way into the hearts of anglers who value the intimate connection with the stream and the fish. Tenkara fishing shares many characteristics with fly fishing, but the absence of a reel requires anglers to pull in the line hand over hand and manually drag when a fish runs. This simplicity allows for a greater focus on casting and presentation.

DRAGONtail Tenkara: Celebrating the Art of Tenkara Fishing

DRAGONtail Tenkara is dedicated to providing high-quality rods and accessories to cater to anglers of all budgets. The company's journey involved extensive prototyping to ensure the rods were lightweight, durable, and satisfying to use. From kebari flies and furled line to slings, rod cases, and fly-tying materials, every item offered by DRAGONtail Tenkara has been carefully selected and field tested.

Committed to outstanding service, angler education, and growing the sport of American Tenkara, DRAGONtail Tenkara is a dedicated supporter of the Tenkara community.

Fish Wherever You Are: The HELLbender Zoom Rod

The telescopic HELLbender Zoom rod with a starter kit is the perfect companion for backpacking and fishing trips. Its lightweight and compact design make it easy to carry, allowing anglers to enjoy both outdoor adventures and fishing without the need to choose between the two.

The minimalist philosophy of Tenkara fishing, with its focus on simplicity, makes the HELLbender Zoom rod ideal for all kinds of travel. Portable and packable, this versatile rod begs the question: Where won't you go?

Everything You Need to Start Fishing in Minutes

The HELLbender Zoom rod offers a range of 13 to 11.3 feet, allowing anglers to use it on smaller or tighter streams as well as in larger water areas. Designed to handle bigger fish, it is also great for catching smaller fish.

The HELLbender Starter Kit includes 3 soft hackle tenkara flies, an assortment suitable for various water conditions and fish species. The kit also comes with an ultra-premium USA-made furled Moonlit Tenkara Line/Leader, tippet, an EVA foam line holder, storage tube, and a stylish rod sock.

Built for Bigger Fish and Backpacking Adventures

The HELLbender Tenkara Rod is the rod of choice for streams with decent bass, fat rainbows, brown trout, or other lunkers in the 16-22 inch range. Crafted with the highest-grade IM 12 carbon graphite, it is a strong yet lightweight fly fishing rod with a 7:3 action.

Weighing only 3.4 ounces and collapsing to 24 inches, the HELLbender Tenkara Rod is backpacker-friendly, making it easy to fit into your pack for fishing the backcountry or using as an all-purpose travel fly fishing rod.

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