The easiest way I can describe tenkara is that it's fly fishing with a very long (typically telescoping) rod and no reel.
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| 11' Tenkara USA Iwana (That blue thing is not a reel, it's a storage spool to hold your line when not fishing) |
In learning (and reading) more about tenkara, I've found it to be somewhat of controversial subject, particularly in the fly fishing community. Some dismiss tenkara simply as a glorified cane pole fishing or a form of Czech nymphing or dapping.
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| Tenkara Brownie, caught with Sakura Kongo |
In its purest form, tenkara fishing is typically cited as fishing wet, reverse hackle flies in a small, mountain stream environment. Personally, I've also had success with dries, nymphs, and small streamers using a tenkara rod. Honestly, it's very adaptable, you can make it what you want. Perhaps it's no longer tenkara by definition at that point, but it's still a heck of a lot of fun, and who needs to confine things to a neat little box anyway?
Why do I enjoy tenkara?
There's something comforting in simple equipment - we're just talking rod, line, and fly. Removing all of the hassles that come with gear variables, I've found it creates an environment where I can really unwind, take in my surroundings, and simply immerse myself in fishing. Some people even go as far as to only use one type of fly!
I'm not taking that leap. My tenkara rod serves as a nice compliment to my "normal" 3-wt fly fishing outfit, and another great way to enjoy small stream fishing.
I'm not taking that leap. My tenkara rod serves as a nice compliment to my "normal" 3-wt fly fishing outfit, and another great way to enjoy small stream fishing.
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| Nice tenkara brown trout caught with Tenkara USA Iwana Series 1 Valley Creek, Valley Forge (PA) National Park |
As with most things, the best way to figure out if tenkara is meant for you is to actually give it a try yourself. If you want to learn more about tenkara, here are some really informative resources to help get you on your way:
All of my Tenkara posts are conveniently accessible with the link below:
All of my Tenkara posts are conveniently accessible with the link below:
There's also a ton of other great tenkara resources...actually too many to name them all. These are a few of my favorites.
Websites & Blogs:
Trout & Seasons of the Mountain VillageTenkara USA - About Tenkara
Tenkara-Fisher
TenkaraBum
Tenkara Talk
Tenkara on the Fly
Tenkara Grasshopper
Tenkara Tippets
Tenkara Elevated
Tenkara Rising
Learn Tenkara
Dispatches from the Middle River
Eat More Brook Trout
Gorky Fishing Demon (Japanese)
Tenkara at Siberia (Russian)
Retailers:
Wildfly.com - Tenkara USA Rods & Accessories with Free Shipping!
Tenkara USA - Gear
All Fishing Buy
Sakura Rods (@ Tenkara-Fisher)
Fountainhead Tenkara Rods
Tenkara Fishing
Backpack Fly Fishing
Tenkara Global (Bamboo Tenkara Rods)
ZimmerBuilt (Bags)
If you have any questions about tenkara, I'd be happy to try and answer them.
Just use the comment form below.
Ok, so since I started fishing tenkara I have subscribed to the one fly theory, but lately feel like I'm missing out. When you fish those nymphs like the cj or prince, do you use an indicator? With the reverse hackles I don't feel like I need to, but I'd love to fish some nymphs with my Iwana to get down deeper, and wonder if I'd feel the takes without a thingamabobber. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI tried the smallest sized thingamabobber I could find when I first started fishing nymphs on tenkara and didn't like it. Not saying it didn't work, I just didn't like the way the furled line casted (or the way it felt) with my 11' Iwana. Felt more like casting with a spinning rod than with a fly rod for some reason. I actually ditched that set up pretty quickly.
ReplyDeleteI don't use an indicator per se, more so an indicator dry fly. If I fish a #18 nymph, I'll use a #14 or #12 dry and fish them in tandem. That's what works for me.
I'd at least try the thingamabobber set up, you may like it more than I did. Different strokes for different folks.
Guys, what I can't get my head around ( and I have nothing against any legal form of angling) is that I can do the same thing with a traditional fly rod and reel, can't I? And, if the situation arises, still have the fly line available to roll out a 30 foot cast...what am I missing? Is there more to it? ( I'm actually dying to try it, btw.)
ReplyDeleteHmmm...tough to explain. You're not missing anything. I still have and fish rods with reels all of the time.
ReplyDeleteI guess it's just a matter of not bringing what you don't need on the water - when I fish a small stream it's the perfect tool. Tough to describe until you fish one. It's got such a unique feel to it, it makes 6 inch trout feel like monsters.
I only recommend it for small stream/small fish. You may see others fishing for bass with the larger versions...no thanks. To add, I really prefer the 11' Iwana version I have to the 13' Ayu version. The Ayu just isn't as fun to fish IMHO.
Also, the fact that it collapses down to 20 inches is pretty slick too. Makes transport through wooded areas a breeze.
Thanks for trying to explain it. I can see the application on small streams, although "small" is a relative term. Down here in GA and NC a small stream is usually between 3 and 10 ft. wide and covered with an almost impenetrable amount of rhododendron and mountain laurel. An 11 foot rod would probably be useful only if you cut it in half, and were also really good and bow-n-arrow casting under the rhodo's!
ReplyDeleteBut it does look like it adds a new dimension to the graceful side of fly fishing, that's for sure!
right on man, never heard of tenkara fishing till this blog.. I can see it now.. "tenkara spey rod lands huge native steelhead" .. cool blog keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteTravis
http://thetailout.blogspot.com
Travis - this link work for ya?
ReplyDeleteShimano Mainstream Fishing for Steelhead
Fast forward to about 12 minutes in.
OK, it's not exactly tenkara, but pretty close, with MUCH bigger rods.
I recently switched to Tenkara this year, due to heavy rain I have only been out 6 times. Each time I out fished every fly and bait fisherman around. I use the Ishigaki Kebari reverse hackle in black/orange, black/white, gray/white also use the fujioka kebari and the gujo kebari. I am convinced that the simplicity of the fly gives the trout less to reject. All my trout are caught on the surface or film. They will rise for these tormenting Japanese flies. As the lines wet the fly they can go lower in the stream but can be dried out rather quickly with a few false casts.
ReplyDelete