Tenkara vs 2-3wt standard setup

[Night goat]

I'm in the market for two new flyrods, one is the echo two hand glass 8 or 9wt for saltwater, and the other rod im after is a smaller shorter lighter duty setup for eastern Washington and mountain streams, beaver ponds, small water and small fish rod

Tenkara comes to mind, but so does a 2-3 wt 6-8 footer. The reason why I like the idea of a reel is because say, I go up to the lake by my moms house in town and get into a nice bass or something. I don't lake fish much, but seem like the reel would be a nice added piece of hardware? I have 5,6 and 7 wt rods, so, this would be a dedicated small water rod...

Any thoughts?

[jackelope]

I just watched a YouTube video of some guys up in AK tenkara fishing for silvers. Bigger fish "should" be a non issue. Im kind of torn though. I just bought a tenkara setup. The more I look at it, the more I think I'm not going to like it.

[DaveMonti]

I'd absolutely not buy a Tenkara.  If you know how to cast a conventional rod, you have much more flexibility than with a Tenkara. 
If you have a kid that you are getting into fly fishing, or fish smaller water, especially with no obstructions around, than Tenkara might be for you.  Otherwise, go with a conventional rod and reel.

[jackelope]

I'd absolutely not buy a Tenkara.  If you know how to cast a conventional rod, you have much more flexibility than with a Tenkara. 
If you have a kid that you are getting into fly fishing, or fish smaller water, especially with no obstructions around, than Tenkara might be for you.  Otherwise, go with a conventional rod and reel.

I thought about the kid aspect. I know literally nothing about tenkara fishing...just had a friend offer me a rod and I bought it. I can't really figure out the small stream appeal of it. The thing is 11' long. I have a small stream rod I use. It's a 7' 4 weight. Not sure another 4' hanging off the end would be very convenient in tight quarters. Maybe I'm wrong.

[Holg3107]

I picked up my Tenkara rod from TheClymb as a kit for less than $100. I love it! especially for small creeks, beaver ponds, etc.. and theres nothing replaceable when it comes to a backpacking rod! GO Tenkara you wont be disappointed. There's something awesome about the simplicity of the tenkara style. As for the big fish if you get a 12' plus tenkara you would be amazed at how well you can fight them.

[Thenewguy]

The appeal of a long rod in a small stream is to not need to cast. With a long rod you can "dink and dunk" instead of large back casts (which tend to tangle on small streams)

[DaveMonti]

It's still pretty easy to get hung up with a Tenkara with 20 feet of line on the end.  If you've got overhanging brush, the long rod is still tough to manage.  If you are in an open area, on small water it is good for managing your presentation, but it's a very limited situation where Tenkara gives you and advantage over conventional gear. 
It's also strange to fight a fish by hand-lining it in after you play it out.  The length and flexibility of the rod make's it surprisingly easy to play larger fish, but  with an 11-12 foot rod and 20 feet of fly line and additional leader, you will end up hand-lining to get the fish to hand. 

[ribka]

I have both. The tenkara is fun but for a dedicated small water rod go with a 6 to 7 ft 2 or 3 wt rod. Much much more useful

I have a scottt fibertough glass rod in 6 6 in 2 wt and one of my favorite rods. cabelas has cheeper 23 to wt glass rods or can go with a faster action rod.

The sage LL rods are great too if you can find one

[jackelope]

The appeal of a long rod in a small stream is to not need to cast. With a long rod you can "dink and dunk" instead of large back casts (which tend to tangle on small streams)

If you can dink and dunk. I'm thinking clearance issues.

[Night goat]

I think I'm gonna go with a TFO lefty kreh finesse 2 or 3 wt