Company Profile
DRAGONtail Tenkara was founded by Brent Auger and Brandon Moon in 2013. Their goal was simple: offer high‑quality tenkara gear at prices accessible even to beginners. Under the umbrella of Cub River Outfitters LLC, which also operates the NIRVANA On The Fly, Moonlit Fly Fishing, and Leland Fly Fishing brands, DRAGONtail has expanded its offerings while maintaining its roots in simplicity and value-driven product development. The company is headquartered in Idaho.
Originally the passion project of a spin‑fisher turned tenkara enthusiast, Brent’s journey began when he traded rod and reel for a tenkara outfit. After experiencing its directness and simplicity on his first trout, he was hooked and realized an opportunity to fill a market gap. Early on, he identified a need for sub‑$150 rods that performed comparably to pricier models, and the Shadowfire rod was born from that vision.
DRAGONtail builds its rods using primarily carbon‑fiber construction for strength and sensitivity at an affordable price point. Their product lineup extends beyond rods: they design and offer their own furled and level lines, kebari (flies), accessories, rod tubes, fly tying materials, and starter kits. They position themselves as a “candy shop” for tenkara anglers.
Over the years, DRAGONtail has continuously iterated on its product line, frequently offering new rod models as well as updating and improving prior top sellers. Meanwhile, community reviews consistently praise DRAGONtail’s value, performance, and customer support. Service excellence and accessibility, whether for parts or questions, are key pillars of their business model.
As one of the leading tenkara brands in the U.S., DRAGONtail appeals strongly to budget‑minded anglers who still want quality gear and options across rod lengths and flex profiles. And they continue to produce educational content, tutorials, fly‑tying videos, and even host events like their Idaho Tenkara Campout to build community around the sport.
DRAGONtail Tenkara stands out as a company born from passion, shaped by first-hand angler experience, and grounded in the ethos of “affordable quality.” Their rods cover a wide spectrum from compact pocket models to long powerful zoom rods, and are supported by in-house lines, flies, and accessories. With continual innovation and strong customer service, they remain one of the most accessible and trusted brands in the U.S. tenkara fishing community.
Popular DRAGONtail Tenkara Rods
- Shadowfire 365 Tenkara Rod (12 ft)
A flagship rod offering high performance and long reach at a beginner‑friendly price; widely considered one of the best values in tenkara. - Mizuchi zx340 Zoom Tenkara Rod (11.5/10.5/9.5 ft)
Co-developed with Tom Davis, the Mizuchi is a versatile 3-length zoom rod with a smooth 6:4 flex profile, perfect for anglers who need to adapt on the fly to different stream widths and fishing situations. - Kaida zx320 Zoom Pack Tenkara Rod (10.5/9.4ft)
A dual‑length pack rod designed for soft action, durability, and a smooth casting experience—ideal for small stream fishing and moderate-size fish. - Ragnarok 400 Tenkara Rod (13 ft)
A “big fish” rod built with power and distance in mind, featuring a strong 7:3 action and a length ideal for wide water and strong trout. - TalonMINI 310 Pocket Mini Tenkara Rod (10 ft)
Compact yet longer than most pocket rods, it offers excellent backbone for small to mid-size trout with unbeatable packability.
DRAGONtail Tenkara Articles
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