The NIRVANA 400 Tenkara rod goes to work on Driftless Trout Streams
I'm really settling into a preference for longer rods these days. I typically fish the longest rod I can get away with on the terrain I'm fishing, and in the Driftless, you've usually got enough room to fish as long a rod as you like. I've been trying as many models as I can get my hands on, and anything about 390-410 has been working well for me.
Last week I got the chance to put the Nirvana 400 tenkara rod through its paces on Driftless trout streams. It was rigged with a 13 ft #4 level line, about 5 ft of 5x tippet, and a variety of flies. All told, over 60 brown and brook trout ranging from 5-14 inches were caught. I fished it on several different kinds of water, from extremely tight to comfortably open, with current strength ranging from moderate to slow and glassy.
Last week I got the chance to put the Nirvana 400 tenkara rod through its paces on Driftless trout streams. It was rigged with a 13 ft #4 level line, about 5 ft of 5x tippet, and a variety of flies. All told, over 60 brown and brook trout ranging from 5-14 inches were caught. I fished it on several different kinds of water, from extremely tight to comfortably open, with current strength ranging from moderate to slow and glassy.
About the rod
Rod Specs
Fishing Length:
13 ft 1 in (399cm)
Collapsed Length: 24 in
Handle Length: 10.5 in
Sections: 8
Weight:93 grams/ 3.2 oz
CCS/RFI:19.5 pennies/4.9
Rotational Moment: 2.8
Fishing Length:
13 ft 1 in (399cm)
Collapsed Length: 24 in
Handle Length: 10.5 in
Sections: 8
Weight:93 grams/ 3.2 oz
CCS/RFI:19.5 pennies/4.9
Rotational Moment: 2.8
The fit and finish on the rod are excellent. I found the grip contour comfortable regardless of where it was held. While you can certainly feel the length of the rod when casting, it is well balanced and does not feel "tip heavy".
Performance
The Nirvana 400 has a fast but pleasantly smooth feel. The rod fished #4 level in gusty wind very well, and will probably throw lines down to #3 without difficulty. I am confident it will really sing with a furled or floating line. The rod has very little oscillation (it isn't wobbly when you stop moving it) and recovers to "still" very quickly. I was able to make precise casts to tight target zones and maintain positive control of fly position and line tension without issue.
The Nirvana 400 tenkara rod features a stiffer tip which makes hooksets easy. A quick and definitive upwards wrist-break produced clean sets. The power curve is firm and consistent. When I needed to muscle a trout from under a cutbank I was able to it without putting the rod into threat. When I needed to dig in my heels against a stronger run I was able to stop the fish in its tracks. I felt soldily in control of both cast and trout on all of the water I fished.
I primarily fished wet flies at random in the #12 neighborhood, but tried out a few nymphs and streamers to get the feel. The rod performed well with all of the patterns I fished.
The Nirvana 400 tenkara rod features a stiffer tip which makes hooksets easy. A quick and definitive upwards wrist-break produced clean sets. The power curve is firm and consistent. When I needed to muscle a trout from under a cutbank I was able to it without putting the rod into threat. When I needed to dig in my heels against a stronger run I was able to stop the fish in its tracks. I felt soldily in control of both cast and trout on all of the water I fished.
I primarily fished wet flies at random in the #12 neighborhood, but tried out a few nymphs and streamers to get the feel. The rod performed well with all of the patterns I fished.
Check out the video below to get a better feel for the Nirvana 400
WRAP-UP
The Nirvana 400 is a solid contender in the "longer tenkara rod" arena. Anglers wanting a single rod to fish a variety of styles and tackle will like the versatility and "do it all" nature of the design, especially those who regularly switch between trout and warm-water species like bass. The 400 will throw just about anything from traditional patterns to poppers without batting an eye. Anglers wanting to place precise presentations in small target zones will appreciate the fast recovery and lack of oscillation. Anglers pursuing larger fish will appreciate the firm power curve. It would take a gnarly situation to make you feel "outgunned" on this rod! Overall, the Nirvana 400 is an ultra-practical addition to your quiver, or a fine choice for your "one and only" tenkara rod.
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