NEWS
【New for 2026】Lupus for Native Trout – Breaking Down the Full Redesign/Four Models, Four Distinct Evolutions
In 2026, Yamaga Blanks’ native trout series, “Lupus,” will undergo a complete renewal.
It has been about 10 years since the release of the original Lupus (previous model). We have once again dedicated ourselves to this long-running series with renewed passion. To achieve the “casting accuracy” and “lure controllability” required for modern native trout games at a high level, we have completely rebuilt the blank design from the ground up.
In this blog post, we will introduce the new Lupus series and delve into the details of each model.
We feel that the world of native trout fishing is a genre rich in “character” and “atmosphere.”
It’s not just about catching many fish or landing the biggest one. It’s about savoring the “emotion,” the “gear,” the “time,” and the very distance between oneself and nature. We believe this process is the true allure of this style of fishing.
Especially in recent years, while fishing styles that prioritize efficiency and results (catch rates) are gaining popularity, native trout games often see anglers prioritizing their own aesthetics and philosophy (the process).
For example, the time spent walking the stream. Reading the flow. Each and every cast. The “afterglow” of the fight after hooking a fish. Because all of these elements accumulate as part of the fishing experience, we believe a rod requires a value of existence beyond just “being able to catch fish.”
And the reason the original Lupus was loved by so many anglers lay exactly there.
The responsiveness of the rod—bending naturally from the moment of the hookset, staying with the trout’s runs, and absorbing the shock. This blank characteristic allowed anglers to fully enjoy the “pleasure of the fight.” The fact that many people still cherish and use the original models is, we believe, because that experience is ingrained in the rod.
On the other hand, about 10 years have passed since the launch of the previous model. The environment and approaches surrounding native trout have certainly changed. The spots to target have become more severe, and precision—”where to place the lure in the current, how to insert it, and how to present it”—increasingly determines the result. In other words, we realized that simply being “fun to bend” (like the original) is no longer enough. The modern game requires stiffness (tension) in the blank to manipulate high-resistance lures and casting accuracy to deliver lures to pinpoint spots.
Therefore, in this full renewal, we have redefined “Lupus-ness” not just as a vague feeling, but as a concrete design philosophy.
At the core is the “joy of the fight” established by the original. How do we combine this with the stiffness and precision required for the modern native trout game? The answer has taken shape as the 2026 new Lupus series.
The new Lupus lineup consists of 4 models covering everything from headwaters to middle streams.
Multi-piece short models prioritizing accuracy and handling to snipe pin-point spots.
☑ 61S
A balanced all-rounder connecting upper streams to middle streams.
☑ 73S
A long model that achieves both “distance and accuracy” in large areas, capable of handling good-sized fish with ease.
From here, we will introduce each model in depth.
✅Lupus 51S/3pcs Lure: 2～7g Line: PE 0.3～0.6
Shoot through the stream with high tempo, accuracy, and portability.
In headwaters and small mountain streams, what matters most is “casting accuracy” to hit the desired line and the maneuverability to “complete the cast” even in restricted conditions.
While the 51S/3pcs is a highly portable 3-piece rod, we emphasized the crisp swing and fast recovery characteristic of a short rod. We were particular about the blank design to ensure you can easily deliver the lure to “the spot you want to place it” even in tight casting spaces.
A major feature of this model is not just hitting pin-points, but the ability to “ride the flow” on the line you want the lure to trace. Since the rod works to animate the lure even with light input, it handles heavy sinking minnows with sharp, rhythmic twitching effortlessly.
Additionally, this model adopts the Lupus series’ first multi-piece structure. As a 3-piece model, it offers excellent portability.
💡Recommended for:
✓ Anglers who want to improve pin-point accuracy (no ambiguity in aim).
✓ Anglers who want to maximize portability and keep gear minimal.
✅Lupus 51B/3pcs Lure: 2～7g Line: PE 0.4～0.8
A multi-piece baitcasting (overhead) model to conquer small streams.
Even with the same short length, the 51B/3pcs changes the quality of the approach.
Low trajectory entry, fast re-casting, and speed from landing to action—these are the “offensive merits” of a baitcasting model. This model shines particularly in small streams scattered with target spots where “casting points are clear.”
When casting repeatedly, aim can tend to get sloppy, but by balancing the blank’s stiffness (tension) with a light swing-through feel, we’ve created a model where each cast itself is enjoyable. As this is also a 3-piece model, it is highly recommended for trekking with the rod inside or strapped to a backpack.
💡Recommended for:
✓ Anglers who refuse to compromise on lure landing points or courses.
✓ Anglers who want to search efficiently and increase opportunities.
✅Lupus 61S Lure: 2～10g Line: PE 0.4～0.8
The All-Rounder connecting Upper to Middle Streams.
The 61S is arguably the “versatile one” of the series.
Not as cramped as headwaters, yet still requiring delicacy. The current becomes stronger, and lure presentation dictates the result. In such areas, what is needed is a balance that isn’t too specialized and a broad range of operability. Designed as a “stable performer” you can use all day, it resists fatigue from continuous casting, retains a natural bend, yet possesses the stiffness to hit intended courses.
💡Recommended for:
✓ Anglers who use various lures, such as spoons, in addition to minnows.
✓ Anglers looking for a true “All-Rounder.”
✅Lupus 73S Lure: 3～14g Line: PE 0.6～1.0
The rod to conquer Large Areas and Downstream games.
As a long-length model, we designed this with large areas and downstream strategies in mind. The core of the design is “operability to stably trace lures in the current” and a “supple tip that leads to automatic hookups without spooking the fish.”
Furthermore, we gave it the torque to maintain control during fights with precious large trout. It retains the “fun” of the original Lupus after hooking a fish, while raising the sense of security to a new level. That was our aim.
💡Recommended for:
✓ Anglers who want to stably trace lures in strong currents.
✓ Anglers who don’t want any anxiety in their rod when targeting trophy sizes.
The premise of the new Lupus series is singular: We will not lose the “joy of the fight” established by the original Lupus. Upon that foundation, we have stacked the “stiffness” and “precision” required for modern fishing, rebuilding it into a rod that is “fun to bend” yet allows you to “aim and hook with precision.”
We were particularly obsessed with casting accuracy. The rod loads naturally against input, returns quickly, and tip wobble dampens instantly. We reviewed the balance of the entire blank to ensure the movement from “Input → Bend → Return” is more linear and settles faster. This supports the reproducibility needed to hit pin-points or trace specific lines.
Rod stiffness (tension) is not just for “moving” the lure, but also for “not deviating” from the intended line. A cast in a mountain stream is a constant battle against forces that try to push the lure off course, such as the pressure of the main current or eddies in backwaters. Even under resistance, the rod does not bend excessively, keeping the lure on the intended path—this “resistance to deviation” directly connects to results.
And for the multi-piece short models, the new face of the series, we repeatedly reviewed the balance, including the joints, to achieve both smooth bending and fast recovery. We are committed to maintaining the “Lupus feel” while enhancing portability.
Because native trout fishing is a “game of atmosphere,” we cherish the pleasant feeling of the gear. However, we do not turn a blind eye to the precision that leads to results; we have reintegrated both at a high level. That is what we have achieved with the new Lupus series.
We believe there will be moments in the coming season where you think, “I want to fish with this rod more.” Please experience that sensation with the new Lupus.