Most tenkara rods tend to be lightweight and compact, since it’s a stripped-down, minimalist take on fly fishing that puts the focus on the activity, rather than the equipment. The Pocket Fly Fishing Rod, though, takes compact to a whole new level, with a rig that can collapse into a tube you can literally carry in your pocket.
Made by Idaho-based Tenkara Rod Co, the tenkara rod collapses into a tube measuring just 10 inches long, making it zero hassle to keep around, whether in a backpack pouch, a jacket pocket, or in the back of your jeans. That way, you can bring functional fishing equipment without adding any extra bulk to your stash, so you can angle some trout at a moment’s notice, while you’re camping, hiking, or just soaking in the outdoor air.
The Pocket Fly Fishing Rod comes in two models: the Mini Sawtooth and the Mini Teton. The former is a 9-foot rod designed for catching fish 14 inches and under, with the latter measuring a longer 12 feet for handling medium-sized fish. Both fit in similarly-sized 10-inch tubes (along with the line) when not in use, weighing just 1.1 oz and 1.9 oz, respectively, making them ideal for bringing to those mountain streams and lakes hiding in more secluded locations.
To ensure the rods perform capably even while collapsing to such a small size, they’re both constructed from high-quality carbon fiber and are built with more sections than traditional rods (15 and 20 sections, respectively, compared to the usual eight). Each one comes with a slightly rubberized first section for easier handling, with all accessories included in the package (line clips, flies, and tippet), so you can start fishing out of the box.
A Kickstarter campaign is currently running to fund the Pocket Fly Fishing Rod. Pledges to reserve a unit starts at $140.