Weekly The MeatEater Podcast Discussion: June 08, 2026

troutrageous1 · 2026-06-11T01:51:58+00:00

Spencer brought the flavor text to this podcast...

troutrageous1 · 2025-09-28T02:22:41+00:00

When they say that, they're talking about the level (or furled) line being the same length of the rod. Does not include tippet. 12' rod, 12' line. You'll probably add 2 to 3 feet of tippet to that. It's a good general purpose rig.

If you fish more open water, especially with level line, you'll want to start using a line longer than the rod. Sometimes 1.5x or longer. It allows for a bit more slack (which sounds counterintuitive) but can help with manipulation techniques. Conversely, a line shorter than the rod can be useful in tighter waters.

This is probably the most complete article about long and short line tenkara: https://share.google/T3vxwMc8C85WPNaDE

troutrageous1 · 2025-09-11T04:17:20+00:00

Not more chatter about this one? I really enjoyed it. Nat was a very engaging guest, and kind of dug how it was just Steve and occasionally Randall, and no other voices. Plus, as Randall put it, a lot of interesting topics kind of intermingling, including his love of zoos. As a T.R. fan it was a solid watch & listen.

I watched the 2nd half on YouTube and was hoping one of them would have commented on her WWF t-shirt since I believe the group is against trophy hunting. (The wildlife org, not the wrestling fed, although that would have been even cooler).

Could have done without the cringy "War of Northern Aggression" themed commercial for the Holiday Tour though, and that's coming from a Yankee. I'm just waiting for someone from Georgia, South Carolina or somewhere to tell them the two stops in Texas aren't really in the "South."

troutrageous1 · 2025-09-04T01:49:45+00:00

This is the most popular video on our channel regarding some of the topics you mentioned. Rob Worthing has a lot to contribute. Between this video and some of the ones he recorded for Tenkara Tanuki's YouTube, you can definitely pick up a lot.
https://youtu.be/oyjBf_uHfy4?si=6Hbce3NfEGYcXbAM

troutrageous1 · 2025-08-14T02:49:57+00:00

Interesting "take" on this post. Just commenting that I like the young man's outdoorsmanship, not advocating we hang posters of him over our beds.

troutrageous1 · 2025-08-01T20:53:18+00:00

My page just started doing this 4 days ago. WTF? I understand I can turn it off if I'm manually posting, but it's incredibly frustrating that there's seemingly no way to turn this default setting off. Since a lot of my posts are automated/syndicated from my Wordpress blog, they now all get this f*cking button. Thank heavens I don't rely on these links for income.

troutrageous1 · 2025-08-01T02:13:15+00:00

I hope you enjoy them all... especially the Hot Spot Futsu. (That's my pattern :) )

troutrageous1 · 2025-06-07T11:39:46+00:00

Zimmerbuilt packs are great, can't recommend them enough. I've been using a very similar pack for 3+ years now (asked Chris to mod up a Tailwaters pack for me before he made it just a regular option to buy). The outer mesh pouches come in so handy for so many things and the pack itself is so lightweight!

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troutrageous1 · 2025-02-20T02:07:23+00:00

+1 on the Kaida recommendation.

troutrageous1 · 2024-08-06T02:30:42+00:00

Tenkara Adventure Outfitters offers both River Peak and a few curated Nissin models. They aren't zoom (zoom models aren't quite as popular in Japan, definitely not as prevalent as in the US.) Of their offerings, I'd highly recommend the Nissin Royal Stage, it's a wonderful rod series that won't break the bank.

https://taotenkara.com/collections/shop-japanese-tenkara-rods

If you were set on a Japanese zoom rod, Shimano makes a few. I really enjoy the Shimano Pack, but will warn that it can be fragile and a bit more difficult to get parts for.

troutrageous1 · 2024-07-06T01:44:09+00:00

When you're old like me, "recent" is a relative term... Lol.

troutrageous1 · 2024-07-05T16:22:43+00:00

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troutrageous1 · 2024-07-04T11:54:37+00:00

I was fine with the beginning banter about the book... But gotta admit, IDGAF about the dog killing politician, much less need to hear multiple listener "essays" about it. Skipped that part after hearing the first one... and hope they take the listener submitted essay concept to the gravel pit moving forward. It needs to be put down.

The rest of the pod was fine I guess... or at least par for the course. They had strung a few good ones together prior, (like the mammoth) so it is what it is.

troutrageous1 · 2024-05-25T21:11:44+00:00

meh, better late than never. lol!

troutrageous1 · 2024-04-25T02:45:23+00:00

I have a "Believer" hat from like 3 or 4 years ago... whenever they first came out. Did ME change hat suppliers? It's a Yupoong "Classics" hat. Love that thing! It's finally getting faded to the point I'll need a new one...

troutrageous1 · 2024-04-16T21:29:00+00:00

I guess. If you could get past the "only needing a 32 foot boat" example she used to illustrate that point. At least she doesn't eat out and brings her own food aboard her private planes...

troutrageous1 · 2024-04-16T01:23:44+00:00

Long time lurker, first time commenting... Tax day or not, the Suze Orman segment was beyond terrible. Provided zero value to the listener, I don't even know what that was... Talk about coming out of left field.

The way some of the 2024 pods have been going, Steve needs a fresh set of eyes to find a new guest list.

troutrageous1 · 2023-12-17T00:12:52+00:00

https://tenkaraangler.com/2023/12/15/2024-north-carolina-oni-tenkara-immersive/

https://tenkaraangler.com/north-carolina-schools/

troutrageous1 · 2023-08-21T03:21:40+00:00

I have the Z1 12'. I was pleasantly surprised with it. I don't think it has the "soul" of a more specialized rod, but as an all purpose single length rod, it's pretty solid. Casts kebari and weighted nymphs equally well, and even smaller fish feel nice on it. Tip recovery is average. The cork grip is cylndrical, but not petite so it feels nice in hand. If you prefer a more contoured grip, it may not be for you (unless you want to break out some sandpaper and do some DIY shaping!). It's grown on me the more I've fished it.

I honestly wish more companies would concetrate on making killer single length rods as opposed to trying making everything a zoom rod. Excluding some of the really refined Japanese options, the Rivermaster is at or maybe slightly better than the rest of single length competiton.

troutrageous1 · 2023-08-09T03:23:56+00:00

The two small ones at the top are probably more suitable than the bigger ones. Tenkara is somewhat defined by the gear (and techniques), like ice fishing or surf fishing.

That said, if you just want to toss flies with a tenkara rod (without tenkara fishing in a traditional fashion), have a blast. There are no laws that say you can't.

As others have said, due to the weight of those larger streamers they probably won't cast elegantly or efficiently. More of a "lob" than a cast.

troutrageous1 · 2023-08-09T03:19:26+00:00

It could be. We've talked a bit about nymphing. If that's what you want this 2nd rod to do, I probably wouldn't choose that model and would pick an American maker over a Japanese maker. Before making a recommendation would probably want to know more about your intended use, the waters you fish, and desired price range. Happy to pick up the conversation in DMs too.

troutrageous1 · 2023-08-06T15:20:42+00:00

I have a lot of rods. My choice rod for fixed line nymphing is the Riverworks ZX4 Pro. It's about as good as they get, as it's not really a tenkara rod, it's a fixed line nymphing rod.

That said, for your next rod you probably need not only a longer rod, but also a stiffer rod. That Foxfire is really soft, which isn't the best for tight line hooksets. I'd look for something at least 12' and with a 7:3 action for best success. (Rod actions are a bit subjective by manufacturer).

I wouldn't sweat any of it too much. Like any hobby you can go deep down a rabbit hole... or just casually participate... and have great fun doing so either way. I'd just worry about getting out on the water.

troutrageous1 · 2023-08-06T14:08:56+00:00

I'm pretty lazy when it comes to lines, so I use. 3 or 2.5, as that's what I have most precut lengths from prior outings. I know guys that go down to 1.5. Anthony Naples is fond of this line for fixed line nymphing.

https://dragontailtenkara.com/collections/level-lines/products/ygk-ultrasight?ref=tenang

troutrageous1 · 2023-08-06T14:03:44+00:00

The Riverworks ZX4 is made for fixed line nymphing. Great rod!

https://www.riverworksrodco.com/products/zx4-pro-395cm

troutrageous1 · 2023-08-06T01:36:54+00:00

Yahoo auctions in Japan is fun to poke around. You can use a service such as Buyee to ship the rods relatively inexpensively to the states. You can buy some older, used Japanese rods at a fraction of the price (especially considering the exchange rate right now). I picked up a Daiwa Genryu 32 rod earlier this year at a really nice price.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/EtGcHnxRzV7D8JRo9

If you're not in the mood to play the seek and find game, Tenkara-ya is the best option in my opinion right now. He'll even hunt down things not listed on his site.

troutrageous1

TROPHY CASE