Company Profile
Rocky MTN Tenkara, based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is a small, family-owned tenkara rod company by Kevin and Casey Canfield. They acquired the brand in 2024 after Casey discovered it on Facebook Marketplace, and immediately recognized its potential to build community through simplified fly fishing gear and outdoor storytelling.
Built on the mantra “Fly Fishing Simplified”, Rocky MTN Tenkara aims to elevate outdoor adventures with fixed-line fly gear crafted for real-world use. Operating out of the high deserts and rivers of New Mexico, the Canfields offer rods that blend Southwestern character, vibrant finishes, and forgiving action suited for wild trout, bass, and desert cutthroat.
Rocky MTN Tenkara rod designs often incorporate regional legends and cultural homages. For instance, the RIO rod addresses the challenges of fishing the Rio Grande Gorge; the Chico Rod nods to colorful New Mexico license plates; and the Chupacabra rod celebrates Southwestern cryptid folklore. Each model is crafted with action profiles tuned for species and water types they target.
The company emphasizes simplicity, community, and local heritage, providing a growing selection of rods, fly kits, and level/furled lines. They’ve also collaborated with ZimmerBuilt on a fishing pack and recently began offering a rod from Japanese-maker river peak. Customer support is hands-on, with Casey and Kevin themselves handling questions and assuring product consistency.
Rocky MTN Tenkara has garnered attention from anglers as a grassroots brand with bold aesthetics, Southwestern roots, and a compelling design ethos that combines usability with accessible pricing.
Popular Rocky MTN Tenkara Rods
- Chico (7 / 8 / 9 ft Zoom; Action: 6:4)
A tribute to New Mexico’s license plate heritage with an adobe red and straw gold aesthetic; this three-length rod excels in tight headwater streams. - Chupacabra (10.5 / 12 ft Zoom; Action: 6:4)
Named after Southwestern legend, this rod sports a fast 6:4 flex and robust backbone, built for anglers targeting fish while hiking remote creeks. - RIO (12 ft / 360 cm; Action: 5:5)
Designed expressly for the Rio Grande and San Juan rivers, this rod offers a balanced action and long reach for wild trout and big water conditions. - Compa Pocket Rod (7ft; Action: 5:5)
A compact everyday rod weighing just ~1.5 oz—perfect for day hikes or beginners—while still able to land surprisingly sizeable trout.
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