Meet the Vendor: Tenkara Tanuki

Meet Luong Tam, the man behind Tenkara Tanuki!

If you’ve ever had the chance to talk with Luong at an event, you may already know what a gregarious personality he has. Often found wearing bright orange, he’s not easy to miss. For those who haven’t had the opportunity to have a conversation with Luong, we’re here to share more about him!

With an illustrious background in Industrial Design and Software Engineering that earned him international recognition over his 30-year career, he applies his knowledge and experience to the rods he designs and develops himself. Before we cover his rods, we wanted to take it back to where it all started and how he found himself at the helm of his own tenkara brand.

“My journey into fly fishing began in the 1990s, and building bamboo fly rods became a cherished hobby.” Luong tells us about his journey that brought him into the world of tenkara, adding that his curiosity in the style of fishing led him to explore it further. “I discovered that fly fishing with a Tenkara rod perfectly fit my fly fishing style. It made me feel closer to nature than using a traditional fly rod. Fishing with a Tenkara rod keeps me focused on what matters most to me - fly presentation - and the simplicity and connection to the environment truly resonates with me.”

Regarding the water that Luong prefers to fish, it seems he enjoys small streams tucked away from the trails and areas where you find most people. He goes on to describe his love for trout streams because of the “Unique challenges they offer,” adding “There’s something captivating about navigating flowing water and immersing myself in the tranquil, scenic environment where trout thrive.”

Having found a style of fishing that seemed to compliment what Luong loves about trout fishing so perfectly, he committed more of his curiosity and creativity to the hobby and started building tenkara rods for himself and a few friends. “I never planned to turn it into a business, but word spread quickly on Facebook, and people started asking me about my rods.” One of those who inquired happened to be Chris Stewart of Tenkara Bum. Chris showed interest in carrying some of Luong’s rods, but ultimately chose to focus exclusively on Japanese rods. Having inventory already made up and ready to move, Luong decided to start selling directly, and the demand kept growing. “As more people embraced my rods, I realized how much I enjoyed combining my passion for fly fishing with my rod-building hobby. That’s when I decided to fully devote myself to the craft, and my journey into creating a Tenkara-focused business truly began.”

That brings us to present time (at least at the time of writing this post), Luong owns and operates his business out of San Francisco, California. Through Tenkara Tanuki, Luong focuses his passion for design and fly fishing to craft rods based on four key principles:

Balance - “Ensuring the rod allows energy to flow smoothly, creating a harmonious casting experience.”

Ease of Casting - “Making casting enjoyable and intuitive for anglers of all skill levels.”

Ergonomics - “Designing rods that reduce stress, allowing anglers to fish longer and with greater comfort.”

Sensitivity - “Enhancing the connection between the angler, the fish, and the natural environment.”

“These principles are at the core of everything I design, ensuring each rod offers an experience that’s not only functional, but also deeply enjoyable.”

In conjunction with our question to Luong regarding what he focuses on in his rod designs, we wanted to know what he feels his rods do well. He replied with “light weight, balance, effortlessness, and casting accuracy.”

As far as the rods in his lineup goes, we asked which ones are the most popular amongst anglers, and Luong himself. “Currently, the Tanuki Ninja is our best-seller, reflecting the success of our dedication to balance, craftsmanship, and the enjoyment of fishing.” As far as Luong’s preference goes, he mentions two rods he is enjoying fishing. “Currently, Tanuki Barebones Kebari, and Pocket Ninja ‘Streamborn’ because of the environment I fish.” He clarifies his answer a bit, adding “Open meadows, I like to use the Barebones Kebari. Hiking, I like the ‘Streamborn’ because it is compact.”

As we come closer to the end of this spotlight on Luong and Tenkara Tanuki, we wanted to share a bit about the “Tanuki Boot Camp” events. In Luong’s own words about what one can expect from attending one of these events, he says “The Tenkara Tanuki Boot Camp is an intensive journey designed to help participants master the art of fly fishing with a Tenkara rod, rooted in the Japanese philosophy of “wabi” - simplicity and harmony with nature. This unique event features a blend of hands-on learning and expert guidance in an immersive environment.” He goes on to add that attendees can expect to learn from seasoned experts, including experienced Tenkara guides who will share their knowledge and techniques. With in-depth video presentations that cover techniques for all skill levels, to rigging your line and landing big fish, these events offer participants the opportunity to refine their skills and connect with fellow anglers in an inspiring natural environment, experiencing (as Luong puts it) “the true essence of tenkara fishing.”

Even if one is not able to attend one of these events, be on the lookout for Luong at other events. He’s no stranger to the “Fly Fishing Show” where you can find him representing Tenkara Tanuki, or even giving a presentation on tenkara-related topics and techniques.

For our readers who may be interested to see the different rods offered on the Tenkara Tanuki website, be sure to use the code “HERITAGETENKARA” at checkout to save 5% on your order!