The tenkara community really stepped up back in 2023, helping launch the original Seiyu Therapy 33 tenkara rod through Kickstarter. As a refresher, the rod was developed by licensed psychotherapist, trauma therapy consultant, and military veteran Tony Parmenter to use as the primary fishing tool for his therapeutic fly fishing program for people seeking relief from post traumatic stress disorder.
The successfully funded Kickstarter campaign allowed Tony to source a bunch of rods to provide to his clients, as well as make them available to anglers outside of this program. And the rod was no gimmick, it got some pretty good reviews, as seen here and here.
Seiyu Therapy 33 V2 Kickstarter
Tony recently launched a new Kickstarter to fund not only a slightly updated version of the rod (with minor improvements) but also to support the production of a full length documentary film about tenkara & therapy. (A bit more on the documentary later.)
At the time of writing, the Seiyu V2 campaign has raised just under $1,800 from twelve backers. The funding goal is $10,000, and the campaign runs until September 20, 2025, so it’s still early days. That means there’s plenty of time to jump in, but early support always helps. This isn’t just about fishing gear; it’s about getting behind a mission that uses nature and simplicity to help people heal from trauma, PTSD, and stress.
So what do you get if you back it? A few different options are available depending on your pledge. You can snag a rod for yourself, sponsor one for someone in therapy, or even get early access to the documentary when it’s ready. Think of it as investing in gear and good karma at the same time. The average pledge so far is around $145, which is actually a pretty solid deal for a rod with this much care and intention behind it.
As far as the rod itself, the Seiyu Therapy 33 V2 is built using high-end Japanese carbon fiber, extends to about 10.8 feet, and weighs only 2.8 ounces. It’s a 6:4 medium action rod with integrated line winders and a cork/foam grip. There are minor cosmetic changes to note, such as moving the base color from gray to red, as well as removing the largely unnecessary swivel tip. The new rod is designed to work just as well for everyday anglers as it does in therapy settings, and it’s the only place you’ll be able to get this updated version in 2025. Tony does not plan to sell it on his website.
Now here’s where the project really stands out: the documentary.
I called Tony on the phone last weekend to learn more about this portion of the Kickstarter campaign. Alongside the rod, Tony would like to professionally produce a feature-length film that explores how tenkara fishing is being used as part of his TF-EMDR therapy, with a goal to have the final cut entered in an upcoming national fly fishing film festival such as IF4 or F3T.
The film will follow real-world sessions where veterans, first responders, and others use tenkara as part of their healing journey. This is not your typical fly fishing film of exotic locations and “grip & grins” overlaid with-in-your face music tracks, the goal is to share this story so more people can see how something as simple as fly fishing, specifically tenkara, can offer profound emotional benefits. This ambitious filmmaking aspect to the Kickstarter is why the target fundraising goal is $10,000. Backers will get behind-the-scenes access and early looks as the project develops.
So, whether you’re a tenkara fanatic, a mental health advocate, or just love seeing creative people bring meaningful projects to life, this Kickstarter is worth checking out. It brings together outdoor therapy, fishing, and real human stories all in one campaign. Visit the project page before September 20th, and if it speaks to you, please consider making a pledge.
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