Editor’s Note: A few weeks ago, we gave away a river peak Mizunoma tenkara rod. It’s their latest model and was designed by innovative Japanese angler Kojiro Yama. Well, we’ve recently heard back from the contest winner and Kyle had this follow up to provide on his impressions of the rod.
I have been fishing the Mizunoma heavily this last week. It is a very well designed, and one of the most unique tenkara rods I have ever used. The full flex profile gives it some serious personality, requiring exaggerated movement when manipulating the fly, and even more exaggerated hooksets.
Catching a large fish feels like strapping into the fighting chair of a sea boat, but you are still in control. I have truly been impressed by how well it handles larger fish in the 16-20″ range, you feel the fight, but it is not erratic and unpredictable. I have a lot of fun fishing the Mizunoma.
The rod is light, and there is not an uncomfortable way to hold it. I really like the handle’s shape. It allows a relaxed grip no matter where your hand is positioned. Like the Kiwami, the Mizunoma is both light and lacks any noticeable vibration when casting. Allowing for some very tight, accurate casts.
It has paired up beautifully with the Trick Caster lines. I have been using a 5.5m Trick Caster that I already owned, and have been having some amazing results with that combo and some unweighted kebari.
I would say the only real shortcoming for the Mizunoma is in the high winds we get in Wyoming. They unfortunately bully the rod when the gusts get above 20 mph. I was also having trouble with hooksets in deep water. The Mizunoma really requires some “rip’em lips” type hooksets when the water gets deep.
It is a very unique rod and haven’t seen anything like it before.
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