Description
If you fish small streams or tight places, the Suzume Tri-Zoom Tenkara Fly Fishing Rod will quickly become your favorite, go-to fly rod. A sparrow, or Suzume in Japanese, is a small, aggressive and highly adaptable bird found all over North America and most of the world. That’s the Suzume Tenkara Fly Rod. This ultra-light, telescoping, triple zoom fly fishing rod can be fished at 3 lengths: 7.7’, 9.3’ and 10.8’ offering extreme versatility to a variety of water. The Suzume Tenkara Fly Fishing Rod has a medium-fast action, 6:4 flex and a slender, double taper, high quality, 11” cork handle for extreme comfort and a custom fit. The handle not only allows you to find your own “sweet spot” but it also ensures the fly rod is balanced in all 3 fishing positions. The Suzume is similar to a regular 3wt fly fishing rod, is extremely accurate, strong, yet very delicate for the most precise and beautiful fly presentations imaginable. Includes spare tip, fly rod sock and carbon fiber travel case. Pair with the Performance Tip for a faster action (sold separately). This tenkara fly rod is perfect for backpackers, mountain bikers and those who find themselves in the backcountry or fishing small creeks. Perfect for small ponds with crappie and bluegills and great for kids. Fly Rod Approximate Equivalency (FRAE): 3wt. Use 7x, 6x, 5x, with experience 4x tippet.
Karin Miller –
So now that I have the Suzume, was comparing it to a rod i just got, the Rhodo from TUSA.
So, lengthwise, the Suzume won out as it was shorter at its shortest length and a teensy bit longer at its longer length.
As far as rod action, when casting the Suzume had far less wobble and allowed longer fly first casts, side by side, same line, tippet and fly. Big win for Suzume in this area.
Stiffness: The Suzume has a beefier feel and is a thicker rod but maintains sensitivity. The Rhodo is super floppy at full length, this is the length that the difference in stiffness is most apparent. I like a slightly less floppy action especially in tight close quarters fishing where you cant lift the rod too much (or you will be in the bushes). This plus the rod action sealed the deal for me.
Given the casting superiority and better feel of the Zen Suzume, I returned the Rhodo back to TUSA today.
Wanted to let you know since no one ever does rod comparisons it seems.
Ana Echenique MD
Ana Echenique MD –
So having fished the Suzume extensively since the other review posted on August 31, 2021 where it compared favorably to the Rhodo, I wanted to say that the rod continues to perform remarkably well at all 3 lengths. It is evident that the carbon fiber utilized is top notch. The rod is a bit more stiff (as expected) at its shorter length which works since I use this in tight cover situations. I do love the mid and full length as well extending whenever cover allows. The castability and play of the rod are great. It is very well balanced. It is my “just right” triple zoom tight cover rod (ala Goldilocks). I definitely give it 5 stars *****
Karin Miller –
Ana so happy to hear this and so pleased that you are loving the rod. We are quite proud of the Suzume.
Joe Wilson –
My wife and I have been enjoying fly fishing in the Smokies for a bit. We recently were introduced to Tenkara and became interested. After some starter rod outings we decided to explore some rods with great reputations. The Suzume was the rd that rose to the top of our list. Oh my… We are now becoming Tenkara snobs in a way. We love the hike in and the simple yet precise style of Tenkara. The Suzume seems purpose built for our native trout streams. There is nothing I would change about the rod at all.
Karin Miller –
So thrilled you are enjoying the Suzume. It is that perfect small stream rod for sure. Thank you for the review and for allowing Zen to be a part of your fishing adventures. Hope you and your wife have many happy times on the water together. Tight lines and happy fishing!
Mark Stephens, MO –
I purchased this rod before a trip to the Rocky Mountains in CO. Having been there before not having the right equipment to fish the streams effectively, I thought this rod would give me advantage I needed. I was 1000% correct. The rod performed beautifully, gave me the advantage of using all 3 different lengths, and was the perfect choice for the waters I fished. Great feel, great precision, and a pleasure to use. The quality is fantastic and I would recommend the rod to anyone.
Karin Miller –
So glad to hear it!
David “Bear” Tuttle –
Love this rod! I fish a lot of Backcountry waters in the Smokies and this is perfect! Also I take it with me on my bikepacking trips it fits in my frame bag or I’ll strap the case to my frame to make sure there’s no damage. 🍻
Karin Miller –
Thanks for the kind review. Happy that you are enjoying it.
Dan Van Buskirk –
I fished the suzume at its full length at the headwaters of the Big Thompson in Rocky Mountain National Park. It cast effortlessly with just a light flick of the wrist and is accurate to wherever it is pointed. I caught my first nice rainbow and 6 others..some got off the barbless hooks which i prefer not to harm such beautful beings! This is a great mountain rod!
Eddie Spratlin –
I just wanted to writ a review but not for a product this time, this review is for a company and great people. I made a order for a rod, the Suzume and other items Friday mrng and that same evening who but Karin Miller, the owner and founder called me to check about a item I bought to make sure it was the right one, it wasn’t so we changed it to the right one, THANKS MS MILLER, so much, she and her company are one in a million to care about their customers so much!!! So rare for a person and company to not just take one step but anything necessary to take care of their customers again thanks so much, you’ve got a customer for life!!! Eddie from Ga.
Karin Miller –
Thank you so much! We treat customers the way we would like to be treated.
Kaz Hatfield –
After watching several videos from TenkaraAddict on YouTube, he states the Suzume is one of his favorites and most used out of all the tri-zoom, small stream rods he owns. I’ve got to say, I love it. I’m not looking forward to the day I accidentally hook into the fish that will break it because I’m tired of loosing fish and use 4X tippet but if I do love and enjoy this rod. It’s strong enough for the 15″ fish while also still being very fun to fight and land the 2-10″ fish. There’s nothing like the drag of a traditional fly rod but in my book Tenkara is the way to go and Zen Tenkara has become a personal favorite. Thank you all at Zen Tenkara.
Dan Ritter –
After having a couple of bad experiences (customer service) with another brand, I was turned onto Zen and their products. Reached out and got some VERY good guidance on gear for a big trip from Seattle to the Sierra, by way of Eastern Oregon. Decided to start out with the Suzume for a number of reasons, including the triple zoom, but also as I thought it would be a good comparison with another (more) compact rod I had fished for a couple of seasons. The Suzume did not disappoint!
I fished the rod in a number of settings from larger rivers to tiny mountain streams and used it with a number of lines. The rod casts very well and is a pleasure to use, all day. Action is pleasant and I very quickly found its sweet spot. Cork grip is spacious and comfortable and it was perfect for the small to medium sized fish, but also did quite well with the (slightly) larger trout we encountered. Very much reminds me of my old 3wt. Sage. This rod will likely become a regular traveling companion to my western 5wt set up, for those times when up close and personal + exceptional simplicity is key.
One item of special note is the exceptional customer service. I wanted to talk to someone and that happened very quickly. Got tons of good info, a better understanding of the things I was looking for – less traditional lines, etc – and there was definitely a mutual understanding of where I wanted to end up. I got exactly what I needed and am grateful for the experience and the outcome. Good stuff all the way around!
Karin Miller –
Thanks Dan. Glad to help and thrilled you were pleased with your decision to go with Zen. Tight lines and happy fishing!