Keiryu Rod Co.
The six-rod Keiryu Rod Co. line: American-designed keiryu rods from 10.9 to 17.7 ft, specified by RFI.
- Models
- 6
- Length
- 10.9'–17.7'
- Price
- $179.95–$209.95
- Type
- Pole
- Discipline
- Keiryu
Keiryu Rod Co. has no series structure: the line is six named rods, so the brand doubles as the series. All are telescopic fixed-line rods specified by Rod Flex Index and CCS pennies, shipped with spare tip sections, and covered by a lifetime warranty and a 60-day trial. The catalog lists the zoom rod at its longest setting.
The full-size keiryu rods are the T100 (17.7 ft, 29.5 in closed, 5.6 oz, RFI 5.7 medium action, 6X to 5X tippet) and the TN Provo (16 ft, 24 in closed, 5.4 oz, RFI 8.5 fast action, 5X to 3X tippet), the latter refined for two years on the Provo River for heavy nymph rigs. The Power Zoom 490 fishes at 14.5 or 16 ft, closes to 25 in, weighs 5.95 oz and runs RFI 6.0 on a heavier carbon, rated to 3X tippet for fish to 24 in.
The compact rods are the Inyo (12.3 ft, 25.5 in closed, 7 sections, 3.4 oz, RFI 7.5 fast action) for tightline nymphing and dry flies; the Ansel (10.9 ft, 15.8 in closed, 2.3 oz, IM Japanese carbon, coated grip) for backpacking; and the MiniMax (11.7 ft, 10 in closed, 2.25 oz, Toray carbon), which the company markets as a tenkara rod for wild trout on 6X tippet. Prices run $179.95 to $209.95, with a numbered T100 Custom Edition at $399.95.
Deeper Dive
A closer look at notable models.
A 2.3 oz, 10.9 ft backpacking rod that closes to 15.8 in, with a fast nymphing action, a coated grip in place of cork, and IM Japanese carbon.
The 10 in pack rod: 11.7 ft and 2.25 oz on Toray carbon, casting 3.5 level line for wild trout of 7 to 11 in on 6X tippet.
A 12.3 ft fast-action rod at RFI 7.5 built for tightline nymphing in deep pocket water while still casting floating lines for dry flies; 7 sections, 3.4 oz.
The 16 ft fast-action nymphing rod at RFI 8.5, tuned on the Provo River for heavy rigs and deep strikes, rated to 3X tippet and fish of 6 to 8 lb.
A big-water zoom rod at 14.5 or 16 ft, medium action at RFI 6.0, built on heavier carbon for strength and rated to 3X tippet for fish to 24 in.
The maker's baseline 17.7 ft keiryu rod: medium action at RFI 5.7, 5.6 oz, for trout to 3 or 4 lb on 6X to 5X tippet in rivers and alpine lakes.
Rods in this series
| Save | Model | Length | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ansel | 10'11" | Buy from Keiryu Rod Co. | |
| MiniMax | 11'8" | Buy from Keiryu Rod Co. | |
| Inyo | 12'4" | Buy from Keiryu Rod Co. | |
| TN Provo | 16' | Buy from Keiryu Rod Co. | |
| Power Zoom 490 | 16'Z | Buy from Keiryu Rod Co. | |
| T100 | 17'8" | Buy from Keiryu Rod Co. |
Z Zoom rod: fishes at two or more locked lengths. The length shown is the longest setting; the shorter settings are listed in the rod's notes.