On Saturday a Father’s Day present showed up in the mail, a TenkaraBum 33. I was able to take it out on Sunday for a couple of hours fishing on a nymph. My first impressions are: 1) It’s slightly stiffer than the TB 36. 2) It has a very positive hook set 3) Casting a nymph was both effortless and accurate. I was using #4 level line the length of the rod and about 3 ½ feet of 5 tippet. I will check out both dries and kebari next. I really like this rod.
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David, I’m glad you like this rod. I really like this rod also until my son “borrowed” it. With luck, maybe the TB 33 will get returned so I can fish with it again. Let us know how it all turns out. I only used this rod once before it went MIA. I’m interested to know your impressions of this rod. Thanks.
Kookagee,
I went out tonight with the TB 33 using a size 16 elk hair caddis and it was very easy to cast. The next time out I’ll try some kebari but don’t expect to have any problems casting them.
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Well, I’ve been out 3 times with my TB 33 and have landed about 40 trout. I’ve used dries and nymphs but so far no kebari. It casts incredibly well and accurately with either a dry or nymph on #4 level line. I’ve been mostly using nymphs because, for the most part, the trout have been really deep. Of the 40 fish I’ve probably only taken 6 on top or right after the nymph lands. The other impressive thing is the hook sets. I have lost very few fish after setting the hook. I really, really like this rod. If you are looking for a shorter rod I would highly recommend the TenkaraBum 33.
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I just got back from fishing in the Black Hills with the TB 33. The first two days the fishing was tough but on Thursday Mike and I finally found some great water in “None of your Damn Business, SD”. It was loaded with suicidal brookies that loved a kebari tied by Jim at the Tenkara Fly Shop. The 33 cast the kebari with incredible precision. I was using #4 level line with about 3 ½ feet of tippet. Over the next couple of weeks I intend to try some 3.5 level line. I’ve probably used it at least a dozen times and so far would give it a 10/10.
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I have now used the TB33 over 20 times and the last few with 3.5 level line. It casts kebari, nymphs and dries all equally well. I also now know that it will handle an 18" brown in the Driftless with ease. I would include a picture but " The Big Muddy" had some trouble with the landing net and it eventually broke the tippet. It is an absolute pleasure to cast and its’ hook setting ability is incredible. I know I have landed well over 200 fish with it so far. It definitely rates a 10/10.
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David, I agree with you. The TB33, TB36, and the TB 40 are excellent rods. This is not surprising since Chris Stewart has his name attach to these rods. Everything he does is superb and he is a great person as well. David, thank you for the updates.
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