You might remember my review of the original Ebira, the Tenkara rod quiver made by TrailLite Designs (the same shop that also makes the Ti Net). Turns out that TrailLite Designs, that is run by Thom Darrah, is on to something. TrailLite Designs collected feedback from Tenkara anglers and the result is two new Ebiras.
The Ebira Plus is designed to pack 2 rods and has one pocket for gear. The pocket is slightly bigger than on the original Ebira and will hence accommodate either a bigger fly box for us fly junkies or a bit more gear such as tippet, nippers, lines or floatant etc.
Product Details Ebira Plus:
Weight: 1.5 oz.
Material: dyneema-x
Attachable Pocket
Type of Closure: Drawstring on the quiver pocket and water-resistant zipper on the tackle pocket.
Dimensions: 22.5" x 4.5" (2.25" per sleeve)
100% made in the USA
The Ebira Guide, for which I received a prototype for review, is designed to pack a whopping 4 rods (!) thanks to slightly wider twin sleeves than the Ebira Plus. You will able to store 4 rods if you insert one rod grip down and one grip up in each sleeve if you will carry the rods not rigged. Two rods, one per sleeve, can be stored if you decide to carry your rods fully rigged with EZ Keppers. Then there are two pockets to hold even more fly boxes and gear than with the Ebira Plus as well as a very comfortable new wide shoulder strap with pocket attachment webbing where you can attach one of the pockets upfront or just attach forceps or other small gear if you prefer. If you already own either the Ebira Plus or the original Ebira, you can attach its pocket to the shoulder strap on the Ebira Guide and be equipped with 3 pockets (just in case two fly boxes are not enough....).
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| Ebira Plus @ TrailLite Designs that will go on sale this week |
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| My rig last week, I only carried two rods rigged in clear tubes |
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| that's how the attachment point of the pockets looks like |
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| top of Ebira Guide with shoulder strap and draw-string top |
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| close-up of shoulder strap |
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| very comfy shoulder strap! |
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| 3rd pocket attached to strap (note only two pockets are included but you can move them around) |
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| pocket on shoulder strap close-up |
Weight: 2.5 oz.
Material: dyneema-x
Attachable Pocket
Type of Closure: Drawstring on the quiver pocket and water-resistant zipper on the tackle pocket.
Dimensions: 22.5" x 5" (2.5" per sleeve)
100% made in the USA
You will notice that I also carry the "oversized" Tenkara USA ITO in the Ebiras which does stick out a few inches. However, I feel comfortable carrying the ITO in the Ebiras, it stores securely and and is being held in place when you pull the drawstrings tight. Unless you store the ITO rigged with EZ Keepers, you should be absolutely fine. From personal experience, I do not recommend to carry a fully rigged rod with EZ Keepers if it sticks out of the Ebira or a backpack. You will snag it in a branch or brush, pull out the tip and break it and loose your whole setup. Yes, it happened to me recently.
During my last few outings I started to use a lightweight plastic tube in the sleeve of the Ebira (i.e. the tube that the spare handles from Tenkara USA are shipped in). The tube makes the sliding in and out of the rod easier and you can keep the rod fully rigged without fear of any snags inside the Ebira and it adds almost no additional weight. The downside is that you will obviously only will able to carry one rod per sleeve instead of 2.
Conclusion:
These are very thought-through prodcuts specifically made with the Tenkara Angler in mind. The quality is very good and should last you for years, even if you are as rough on equipment as I am. I have been a fan of the original Ebira and like the two additions even better. There is a purpose for each of them, depending on your fishing needs any give day. For me, the Ebira Guide is the one I will use the most, carrying at least 2 or 3 rods (one I will be fishing, one I want to fish/test and a back-up rod). Also, being a gear junkie and not being able to let go of accessories, the ability of having two or even three pockets available is a winner.
Where to get them:
The Ebira Plus is available for $70 at TrailLite Designs here as well as at Tenkarabum here. The Ebira Guide is available for $105 at TrailLite Designs here and Tenkarabum here.
Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with TrailLite Designs nor did I receive any compensation to review the Ebira Plus or Ebira Guide, however, I received the Ebiras free of charge for testing & reviewing from TrailLite Designs.
I think you could safely carry a fully rigged Ito (with EZ Keepers) if you carried it with the tip inserted into the Ebira rather than the grip. That would keep the line protected and away from brush and branches.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I plan to carry the Ebira Guide as well as the Ebira Pro. I really like that wide shoulder strap.
Karel...Nice review and excellent photos!
ReplyDeleteAs always, great review Karel! I've only had a chance to try out the Ebira Plus. Glad to know the Ebira Guide is good too. I especially like the look of those thicker shoulder straps which look like they'd be more comfortable on a long day on the river.
ReplyDeleteCan the Ebira Guide be rotated from back to front without fear anything will fall out?
ReplyDeleteIf you mean whether you can pull the Ebira around you forward so that you can take out the rods "in front of you", then yes, this is possible without the rods falling out. There are draw-strings that keep the rods in place even if you would hold it upside-down.
ReplyDelete