I just got my Tenkara USA Yamame and wanted to share my initial impressions. Keep in mind, I haven’t fished with this rod yet but I’ve cast it and gone over every detail of its workmanship. I will have more info. after I’ve had it on the water but from what I can tell so far, the Yamame is a winner.
I knew that the Yamame was billed as a “big fish” rod before I got it, but I wasn’t prepared for just how stiff it really is. The 7:3 action is very fast and my immediate reaction was that it’s the “flippin’ stick” of the tenkara world. If I were to go for large trout, or wanted to cast larger flies for bass, this would be the rod I would choose. I’ve been fishing my Ito lately and so the fast action of the Yamame took a little readjusting to. The action is crisp and anyone who wants tight loops, more accuracy, and a faster casting stroke will appreciate the Yamame.
The handle is a very comforatble 10.5″ high-quality cork with a nice red accent wrap above the winding check.
The blank is a matte finish (to reduce glare that might spook fish and the lettering is a beautiful gold color that compliments the rod very well.
Unlike most other Tenkara USA rods, the end cap is black rather than silver. Perhaps this is another design decision to make the rod stealthier.
Another departure from the rest of the Tenkara USA lineup is the black, rather than red, lilian. To me, the color is irrelevant but one small nitpick was that the lilian is shorter than my other Tenkara USA rods. I don’t know if that’s by design or just a manufacturing inconsistency but I found it a little more difficult than usual to tie the stopper knot and still leave enough of a tag end to pull on when detaching the line. I would like to see another centimeter on the lilian.
A nice change from earlier T-USA rods I noticed was that the obnoxious “lightning and power line warning” sticker has been replaced with a much subtler warning that is printed directly on to the blank. I’m a person who hates trying to claw stupid warning stickers off of things and feverishly scrubbing the adhesive residue off so this was a welcome change. Sure, you won’t be able to completely remove the warning, but at least your hands won’t smell like Goo Gone for a week!
The signature wooden rod plug of Tenkara USA rods also looks to be redesigned with a slightly different rubber insert that is very tight fitting and forgoes the cross-shaped “split” that my other rods have.
All in all, I’m very impressed with the design and finish of the Yamame. Even without having it on the water yet, I can tell this will be my rod of choice when pursuing big fish or casting big flies. While I mostly go after small fish in small streams, I felt the need to have this rod in my arsenal for the rare occasion that I get to target some bruisers. And from what I’ve seen so far, this is the tenkara rod to tame them. More to follow…
Jason,I will be interested in your comparison of this rod with the Amago. I have an Amago, and from what I read it seems that they can perform the same functions, but the Yamame has a faster action than the Amago. Is that on the mark, or do you have a different take on it. ~pfa
Paul, good question. Since I’ve been playing around with the Yamame, I’ve been making parallel comparisons to the Amago in my mind since that is what I consider the closest one. Right now, I would say that if you have an Amago, it will handle big fish and is a great lake rod or big river rod. But the action is noticeably different than the Yamame. The Yamame is a really, really fast action rod. I think both would handle big fish, but I think one would prefer one over the other based on casting style, the size of flies fished, and quarry.
How does the heavy action of the Yamame work with normal size trout flies? Is this a “large fly only” type rod?
Hi Jeff. It will throw small flies well. It’s more about the size of the fish. If you were catching small fish it might feel more fun on a softer rod like the Ayu or Ito.
I have had a Yamame for a couple of years now. I have used it around the Ft. Collins, CO area and like it very much. Small and larger trout up to 16″ were all fun to land. Mine has a dark brown almost black lillian. Eddie
Jason,
I enjoy reading Tenkara Talk very much and have a story to tell you and ask some advice.
As a young man (I’m 64) I read an article in Outdoor Liffe about fishing in Europe with very long rods in the range of 30 feet. They used a short length of “floss” and dappled a fly on the surface.
In June of 2007 I traveled in Japan for 3 weeks and saw fishermen with long rods and it looked to me that they were dappling. Seeing this I remembered the OL article which had stuck with me all through the years. I had to have a rod like that.
I believe I was in Gyfu, found a tackle shop and through an interpeture explained that I wanted a long rod, the longest he had. I ended up with one that was 17 feet long.
As it turns out I was seeing snagging Ayu and was worng about the dappling. I sawe them from a distance and moving along the road.
Last year I saw an article in OL about Tenkara and the penny dropped as to what I actually had. I sent for a Yamame from Tenkara USA. Now I have a 17 foot Tenkara rod that is really too long to have any fun with.
As I do not use this long rod, I am thinking of selling it or (Here’s where I need your advice) removing some of the larger diameter sections and putting a Tenkara handle on it to make it shorter. I would make a shorter rod about 9-10 feet. What do you think?
Thanks,
Eddie Fast
Ft. Collins
Hi Eddie. Without having the rod in my hand, it’s kind of difficult to say. Here is the issue: the rod was designed for Ayu fishing and to be cast at its length of 17 ft. It wasn’t designed to cast a light line at a reduced length. So here is what I would do. Remove the sections to get it to the length you want and try casting it with a line without the handle. You should be able to tell if the action is good or not before you put in the effort to add the handle. That way, if the action sucks at least you won’t have wasted your time adding the handle. Let us know how you make out!
The Yamame was the first tenkara rod I bought. I seem to recall that orignally they came with red lillian. I sold mine and some other rods (tenkara and western) one year when I was cleaning out gear (afterall, I did have ALL the other TenkaraUSA rods and some additional non brand ones, and multiples in every weight of western rods, so a “pruning” really was in order). While my Iwanas are still my preferred rods on creeks, and the Ito/Ayu on large rivers, I’ve just recently ordered another Yamame after borrowing one for carping and breaming. They are excellent rods for hunting carp in our creeks, and also better than the other rods for swoffing for bream. In fact, in writing this, it occurs to me suddenly that my only success to date in fly fishing for bream is with tenkara – the reasons are kinda obvious.
Some prefer to use sections of western fly lines or Rio poly leaders to weight the Yamame cast more, which then slows the cast right down and gives the cast a more conventional western feel. I still prefer fluorocarbon level line for stealth, keeping most of it off the water (aka high sticking). Great rod for the fish over 2lb, comes into its own when the catch is 3lb or more.
My largest carp on the borrowed Yamame was a bit over 3kg, but one of the smaller fish I saw. Not sure I would want to hunt these with my Ito. I’ll hunt the bigger ones in earnest after Christmas when my new Yamame arrives. [BTW, carp is a noxious pest in my country, destroying the local ecology, so removing them is a must here].
Hi Craig, thanks for the comments. It’s funny how gear sometimes comes around to you again. I’ve gone through the same thing with backpacks etc. where I sold them on eBay only to realize I really wanted it back and had to buy it again.
Which country are you in that carp need to be weeded out? Somewhere in Asia?
Hello. I seldom get the chance to use my current Tenkara rods on trout due to the fact that I live in Florida. Could this be the Tenkara bass rod? I know you joked about it being the ‘flipping stick’ of Tenkara but do you think it would make a great Florida bass rod? I am always trying to figure out how to incorporate Tenkara into my Florida fishing.
Hi Brandon. If there is a Tenkara rod that will take Florida bass, this is it. It’s got a lot of power in the butt section and would do better at throwing bass bugs than other Tenkara rods. As for hauling bass out of the weeds, I’m sure the rod is capable of it but the recommended tippet sie might great first.
Thanks for the reply Jason. Any advice on what size fly I could get a way with? I do realize that Tenkara is not designed primarily for bass. I’m hoping to experiment a little.
Jason, I hate to keep clanging on the same bell, but when you say about the Yamame, “If there is the a Tenkara rod that will take Florida bass, this is it,” did you intend that it is better for that chore than an Amago?
I have thrown large, wet, deer hair bugs with my Amago (using Streamside Mystic River line), but I wonder if you addressing the landing characteristics of the rod as well as the casting characteristics. I’m seeking info here, not disputing — though it may sound otherwise.
And of course I agree with you that tippets are an issue, but many bass are caught near cover but not so near that they necessarily become entangled in it. That depends a lot on how they are treated immediately after hookup, and that to some extent depends on the rod (e.g., on an Ayu, there might be instant loss of control).
Hi Paul, no worries. I obviously didn’t answer your question adequately. Whether it’s “better” or not is hard to quantify. I would say this: the Amago is a perfectly fine rod for bass and as you’ve pointed out is up to the task. But if I were primarily a bass fisherman, I think I would choose the Yamame over the Amago just because it seems to have more lifting power. On the other hand, it seems to me like the Amago might protect tippets better. So, that’s why it’s hard to give a definitive answer–they’re both great rods with their own advantages. Still, to me, the Yamame would be a better “bass-specific” rod. But that’s just my opinion. I hope that helps somewhat.
Thanks, Jason. Your observation about relative tippet protection (Amago does it better) tells me what I needed to know. I am curious, as you are curious, about the country where Eddie fishes. I’ll stay tuned. Carping is something that I’ve dabbled in and has fascinated me ever since I watched a fellow fly fisherman having has canoe being pulled along by a carp he had hooked. I wonder if that’s possible with a 5X?
Whoops! That was Craig, not Eddie (in Ft. Collins), who posted about carp fishing
Hello Paul,
Do you have any quick suggestions about bass fishing Tenkara style? Any online resources? I would like to further explore this option. I am worried mostly about tippet size. Most lakes I fish I do not cast into thick cover like you would with a flippin’ stick.
Paul, the very first I ever hooked on my tenkara rod was about a 20 lb carp. I was really surprised then scared. I think you could only get under a pound carp on a tenkara rod with 5x. I hate to say it but you really need a reel for the bigger ones because they like to run. I will often get to the backing on my 7 wt on a 5 lb carp.
Hi Jason,
Aaron here from the tenkaraUSA forum….following along with your blog. My Yamame is by far my go to rod for a number of reasons. Primarily, I purchased this rod as a type of experiment in Euro nymphing. In my home waters, a “hatch” is rarely dramatic and rises are few and far between. When Western style flyfishing, my most gratifying days on the water were nymphing thru riffles. That being said, from what I read on the subject of Euro nymphing it can get a bit complicated with using the multitude of flies and what not and to be honest, that intimidated me. Enter John Gierach’s article on using using tenkara with Daniel on John’s home waters. Light bulb.
My duet of rods includes the Iwana and Yamame. My Yamame accompanies me on one of my favorite Okie waterways, the Lower Ilinois River. Reason being is because when you feel a strike in the rip-rap, a trout is not guaranteed. Could be a sandy,hybrid, crappie, or trout. The Yamame provides just the perfect amount of ‘bone’ to battle each while still remaining connected to the fly and enjoying the fight. Love it. Not to say other models aren’t on my shopping list,but for now, Yamame always goes.
Little tip, pick up one of those black 1″ rubber things that fit over the feet of folding metal chairs . Know what I’m talking about ? Slip it over the base of any of your tenkara rods. It provides a nice little counter-balance, protects the end cap, provides cushion when tapping the base to close it, and should the end cap come off it’s not going anywhere.
Good fishing ya’all,
Aaron
Hey Jason,
Great review and info. about the Yamame. I’ve fished with mine for one season now. I’m a huge warmwater fan bass/panfish. I almost exclusively fished the Yamame for bass. I’ve caught them in excess of 14″ or 2-3 lbs. The rod has been a pure blast! Love sight casting to them in clear shallow water spring fed gravel pits. Stalking them from shore Tenkara style is quite the challenge.
By the way… Digging your site. Lot’s of useful info. Keep up the fine work!
Thank you!
I have as yet no experience with hooking bass — only good intentions and high expectations for the spring of 2012. It will be interesting to see how much tippet size is a realistic limitation, to discover how much the tenderness of the rod tip protects the tippet. I think We may be able to land bass of a size not possible with 5X on a Western outfit. As for skinny tippets in thick structure, I am not optimistic.
sorry guys, I’ve been away (fishing) and running around with christmas – especially with floods on christmas day (I did use my folding daiwa damo the day before, the one that I got from Chris and it is still bringing floods whenever I catch a fish with it – CHRIS!!!!). Fortunately I got off lightly, I live on the hill – the people down the bottom had over a metre of water running through their places.
I live in Australia, (which was previously a dry country until I bought Chris’s net), and carp are vermin imports that are stuffing up our ecology, and by law it is illegal to release one. Rarely are the carp in the clear bass-type waters that I see you guys catching them in. My local creeks are always (typcial for Australia) dirty and cloudy – they are like chocalate milk now after the floods and the silt, and most of the resident carp have now been washed out into the main river (hopefully to feed the cod, not breed).
All the best for 2013, gonna be another great year!
Craig
wait, what year is it again? sorry for the typo.
Hello jason,
What is your final conclusion about the yayame?
I own a amago and love it. But I like fast western rods too.
Will the yayame give me both pleasures; fast pin point casting and have fun drilling a fish? Or is it too stiff?
Final question; what is your experience about nymphing with the the yayame (and maybe with a dropper on it)?
Kind regards.
Alphonso
Europe.
Hi Alphonso,
I still haven’t been able to fish the Yamame yet. I’m waiting until I can get out on a bigger river with bigger fish. I will post a follow up review when I do. If you like fast rods, you’ll probably like the Yamame. I generally prefer softer rods since I usually fish for small trout in small streams. As for nymphin with a dropper, I don’t fish that way so I probably wouldn’t be much help there.
Hi Jason,
Your reviews are a great resource for Tenkara Gear!
I have a Ito that I use for trout fishing in streams and small rivers, but I was looking for a heavier rod for smallmouth/largemouth Tenkara fishing in larger rivers. The Yamame seems like it would be a good choice.
The only other rods I have seen online were from Allfishingbuy.com, namely the Universal Tenkara rods that I read can handle a slightly heavier tippet. Have you had any experience testing their the Unagi or Hamachi models.
Steve
Hi Steve, sorry, I haven’t tried those rods but I can tell you the Yamame works great for bass.
Jason,
Thanks for your quick reply, I’m thinking the Yamame will work great for smallmouth bass on the Shenandoah River in Virginia where I fish in the summer time.
Thanks-Steve
after many years of owing my Yamame I have to say I love it it has been with me on west Virginia waters where I live and into palisade canyon in Idaho and after catching 19 and 20 inch cutthroats in Idaho to 12 inch to 20 inch rainbows here in West Virginia i am well pleased with it and will always be my go to rod for backpacking