Fishing pole…

i think tenkara rods have been discussed on bpl in the past. i'm an avid backpack/flyfisher and i bought one last year due to its super packability and light weight system (no spool of line or reel necessary). its a definite change from traditional fly fishing, but fun none the less! i'll probably stick to using it on smaller streams where i can use bank cover and rocks to sneak up on pocket water. for lakes or anything larger than a 10 yard wide creek, i'd go with a 4-piece, 9 ft rod by any of the reputable rod companies. 9 ft length will be long enough to get the line up and out there on the backcountry lakes. 4 wt is really as heavy as you'd need. 5+ piece rods aren't worth your time, imhp. what you loose in the flex and cast feel just isn't worth it.
hope this helps!
– jvk

I have been using the Daiwa Spinmatic rods for many years and they have worked great. I use the 6 ft. 4 piece and pack it in a cardboard mailing tube. Around 6 oz for rod and tube.

+1 on the Daiwa Spinmatics if you are spin fishing. Sounds like I have the same 4pc 6ft rod as Arn and it is excellent. They are $30-$35 most places on the 'net.

Ryan

I was so stoked with my Eagle Claw, I did a post of where I got mine etc in the fishing forum.

It packs down really small (about a foot) with line attached ready to go in an instant. The rod itself is extremely light, and how lightweight you want the reel is your call. However, it’s medium action, so you may not even be able to feel smaller fish on your line/not as much fun. Your call. I think I have 8 lb test on it.

I can take a picture strapped to my Burn, and weigh it if you’re really interested, but only if you’re seriously considering it.

I found the rooster tail lures worked the few times I fished, though I’m no expert. Enjoy.

I have an old school Shimano Aeroglass spinning rod that weighs 2.5oz and is 5'6" I believe. It actually casts like a champ.

My reel is also an old Shimano ball bearing from the 80's. Weighs 5.4oz, so my entire set up is pretty light, 7.9oz.

Like Scott said, I love rooster tails when I am lure fishing. Mepp's black fury is probably my all time favorite lure though. Caught a 22" bull trout on one a few years back out of a small river.

Hi Austen What kind of rod/reel are you after Like a fly rod reel or spinning will you be fishing streams or lakes both? Ive only been to the sierras once and that was yosemite and I didnt bring a rod and reel. What I bring now for mountain lakes in the rockies is a med / light action 6' 5pc spinning pack rod It is an old custom made brand no longer in business I have several different reels that are around 5oz The rod is 4.8oz I have a shakespear 4'6' ultra light pack rod that only weighs 2.8 oz but it does not cast as much distance in big lakes but is nice for small lakes and streams I like the super duper lures and the jakes and small spoons What kind of fishing experience do you have?

None really, just stuff when I was a kid with my dad on a few trips. We're going to be on some small and larger lakes on the trek. Are you looking to part with any of your gear?

I just asked cause as I use a spinning real now I used to use a zebco ul4 which is a very easy to use enclosed face under rod spinning real with trigger 5 oz. Pflueger also makes about the same called a micro spin u 5.9 oz these kinda help with the learning curve Im sure designed for kids but worked well for fumble fingered adults as well. The zebco model now maybe a custom z 11 triggerspin, these are both cheap also. Shakespeare Travel mates are cheap pack rods. For lakes I would get at least a light action or maybe a med light action I would rather not go with the telescope model but it sure sounds fast and handy to leave set up. Diawa and ugly stick also make inexpensive pack rods. Or if you want to spend a lot of money St Croix makes real nice pack spinning rods. Fly fishing is a worthy art but maybe not the best way to start without some research and money and a bigger learning curve. There are a lot of Tencara fans on here but for lakes they are not for me. I would go cheap at first. If you hook some fish you will be hooked. I would like to add that leave no trace can extend to fishing also but its nice to leave some fish and be an ethical angler. Keep only smaller fish from overpopulated lakes and return the tropheys especially from lakes with small populations. Do that and I might even tell you about my favorite lakes…. but maybe not :^)