Reducing the reels weight eases shoulder strain. This increases arm reach for improved dead-drifts. The rod is also more sensitive to strikes with less mass at the butt end to counter movement at the rod tip. Your hook-sets will be quicker. 

When fly fishing most rivers and streams, the fly reel's purpose is nothing more than line storage. By eliminating the reel’s weight and rotational inertia, casting accuracy is improved, dead drifts are longer, and strike detection and hooksets become instantaneous.

When fighting average size fish (12 to 22”) with light tippet (4-5X), proper line pressure is imperative and best performed with line in hand. When playing an aggressive fish, line can be stripped in much faster by hand and let out with better control than a reel. Playing a fish by hand is more effective and much more fun!

The simple, fixed line of a Tenkara rod makes it lightweight and accurate. But the fixed line also greatly limits its usefulness. Without extra line to take in and let out Tenkara anglers are at a huge disadvantage with reduced casting radius, and line stripping ability. With Tenkara, there is no line to let out to lengthen a dead drift and playing a big or aggressive fish is extremely difficult without extra line to give and take. The Stinger Hybrid System is versatile for Euro Nymphing and designed to give the feather light feel of Tenkara—it’s the best of both worlds!

It feels like Tenkara but has the advantage of extra line to strip, haul, retrieve, etc..  Techniques used with a Stinger System come from euro-nymphing but without the weight of the real, there are more ways to fish this system.

Yes, you can fish dry flies with a Stinger reel but casting light flies with light ESN line is a bit tricky. We’ve developed our own techniques for this. For dedicated dry rigs, we recommend WF2wt Rio Creek line with a 2 or 3wt ESN rod. See our video launching soon on fishing dry flies with the Stinger system. 

The fixed line of Tenkara is what makes it accurate, lightweight and fun! But the fixed line is also what greatly limits its effectiveness. With a fixed line, Tenkara anglers are at a disadvantage with reduced casting radius, and line stripping ability. With Tenkara, dead-drift distance is less- and playing a large or aggressive fish is difficult without extra line to give and take. The Stinger Hybrid system is Euro Nymphing with the light feel of Tenkara- it’s the best of both worlds.

-The Stinger Comp is injection molded from a proprietary Nylon composite blend that makes it ultra light (39 grams/1.5 oz), and virtually unbreakable. The Stinger Comp is simple and economical. 

-The Stinger M1 is CNC machined in California from 6061 T6 aircraft grade aluminum. It’s very lightweight (50 grams) compared to a traditional reel. It’s components  are position adjustable for individualized ergonomics and a custom fit to various rod handle shapes. A spool riser kit and counterweight kit are available for the M1.

Both the Stinger Comp and Stinger M1 come with our Tracer 62 full ESN line/leader system. 

The Stinger mounts to the rod’s reel seat like a traditional fly reel.

Both the Stinger Comp and Stinger M1 are line holders that replace the traditional fly reel.

They both reduce the overall weight and help centralize mass because the system is closer to the center axis of the rod. Thus, eliminating the rotational inertia from the much larger offset fly reel. This makes your rod feel more like a Tenkara system with unidirectional casting and greater rod sensitivity. 

The Stinger was developed to enhance Euro Nymphing techniques where long reach and suspended line are essential. The Stinger is ideally suited for a long  2, 3, or 4 wt. Euro Nymph rods and thin Euro-nymphing line/long leader setup. 

*The Stinger Does not fit on rods with a fighting butt. 

The aluminum Stinger M1 weighs in at 50 grams.

The composite Stinger Comp weighs 40 grams.

The Tracer-62 Euro-nymphing line/leader weighs approx 9 grams, about ⅓ the weight of a traditional fly line/leader system.

Approx. 70 ft of Euro Nymphing line/leader, and 40 to 50 ft of traditional fly line, depending on line diameter.

The Stinger M1 is CNC machined in California from 6061 T6 aircraft grade aluminum. Its components are position-adjustable for individualized ergonomics and allows anglers to custom fit the M1 to various rod handle shapes. An optional counterweight kit is available for the M1 to use with larger/heavier line or extra long or heavy rods.

The Stinger Comp is very economical but just as effective. Its injection molded from a nylon composite blend that makes it ultra light (40 grams), and virtually unbreakable. The Stinger Comp is perfect for anglers on a budget or those who want to carry multiple Stinger units with various line set-ups.

The Stinger attaches to the reel seat like a conventional reel.

At Mavrk we fish with simplicity and versatility in mind. We asked ourselves, “If you could only own one rod for river trout, what would it be? The answer was a light 3wt ESN rod with two convertible lengths, 9’ and 10’3.” 

The Stinger was developed to enhance Euro Nymphing techniques where long reach and suspended line are essential. The Stinger is ideally suited for a long  2, 3, or 4 wt. Euro Nymph rods and thin Euro-nymphing line/long leader setup. 

*The Stinger Does not fit on rods with a fighting butt. 

Yes, as long as the line and flies you plan to use are matched to the rod. However, larger diameter fly line (conventional type) will need to be cut shorter because the compact Stinger was designed to hold thin Euro nymphing line. Due to thickness, conventional fly line/leader may only yield 40 to 50 ft of casting line length.

Yes, both Stingers will fit a down locking reel seat, and will be positioned lower on the rod accordingly. However, the M1 has an adjustable mounting foot to reposition the Stinger up closer to the fulcrum, if desired.

In most use cases, there is no need to counterweight your Stinger hybrid system. Counterweighting is beneficial when using a very long or heavy rod or when using heavier shooting type fly lines. We suggest trying the Stinger first without, or with very little counterweight.

Note: only the Stinger M1 has an optional Stainless steel counterweight kit.

Only if the fighting butt is removable.

Because of its compact size, the Stinger is best suited for thin (.5mm) Euro Nymphing line and a long leader. It also works well with 2wt (.6-.7mm) conventional fly line. The Stinger will hold between 50 to 70 ft of line and leader.

Larger diameter lines for dry fly set-ups will need to be cut down shorter. If added line length is needed, the M1 comes with a line booster kit which increases it capacity of thick line by about 10 ft. 

Both the Stinger Comp and the Stinger M1 come with our premium TRACER-62 Euro Nymphing line/leader combo. This 62 ft. line is made up of 50 ft .5mm braided core nymphing line, 10 ft memory free high viz mono leader, 2ft. bi-color sighter (indicator) line and a tippet ring.

See our Product page.

The Stinger was designed to enhance nymphing techniques, but it's ultra light weight pairs nicely with short distance light weight dry fly rods. We recommend 2 or 3 weight due to the line diameter, but 4 and 5 weight rods can be used as well.

Larger diameter non-Euro nymph lines will need to be cut down shorter to fit the compact Stinger spool (always cut the spool end of the line not the leader end). If added line length is needed, the M1 comes with a line booster kit which increases its capacity of thick line by approx. 10 ft.

The lightweight Stinger reel weights only 1.5 ounces and has a very low profile. It’s easier to carry on long hikes and is a must when carrying two rods. It has not moving parts to fail

Most river trout up to 23” will not need drag or to be put on the reel. It’s best to strip retrieve fish of this size because you have a better feel for correct line pressure. You can take up the slack line faster as well as let line out when the fish pulls hard. It’s also a lot more fun to land a fish by hand!

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