The famous nocturnal Hex hatch of the Midwest (and a few other lucky locations) stirs to the surface mythically large brown trout that only touch streamers for the rest of the year.
1. modern graphite rods are made around 9' because they cast well that way. shorter rods are typically for lower weights and shorter casts; longer rods for heavier rods casting longer distance. see "spey rods"
2.Cane and graphite rods are different; both can be excellent or not, depending on the skill of the maker or the angler.
3. drag is necessary for a large fish that will run 350 yards before slowing enough for you to strip it in. see "bonefish"
4. floating and sinking lines are used differently and do not substitute, rather like butter and bacon grease.
5. yes, but they're much longer rods with much shorter lines
Hey Tedder, to expand on your first question, sometimes a longer rod in tight spaces can be more helpful than a shorter rod. The extra length allows you to have a longer "lever", and can help you make a longer roll cast and/or to "dap" your fly with a longer reach. This is partly why tenkara rods are usually longer even though they are used for tight spaces historically.
"If I'm not going to catch anything, then I 'd rather not catch anything on flies" - Bob Lawless
even though they are used for tight spaces historically.
the one film i've seen of Tenkara in it's native place showed no trees at all. maybe deforestation was a problem in overcrowded Japan? or maybe the trees were all small ones?