Traveling Out West...

...can be fun.  They don't have magazines like this in the Philly airport.

Goodbye Portland; Salt Lake City here I come.


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Tenkara Angler Magazine: Spring 2018

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It’s my pleasure to announce that the Spring 2018 issue of Tenkara Angler magazine is now live!


This issue was a lot of fun to put together... I really got sucked in by a few of the essays as I was editing them. Bob Long's piece on how to fixed-line fly fish for smallmouth basswas really interesting. Tom Davis also popped in with a "how-to" on fishing small, tight water. It's a must-read if you ask me.

Besides those articles, you’ll find all the phenomenal essays, destination stories, photography, humor etc… that you’re accustomed to reading in each issue. I even embedded some video to compliment some of the entries. Make sure to crank up your computer or phone's volume when you click the Creedence Clearwater Revival link that accompanies John-Paul Povilaitis' "Brookies & Beer: Volume 23."


As usual, the Spring 2018 issue of Tenkara Angler will be available as a free e-magazine over at Issuu, HERE.

And also available for sale as a physical magazi…
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The 2018 Troutrageous! Garage Sale...

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Time for some Spring cleaning...

This past weekend I took a look at my ever-growing fishing gear collection and realized it was time to let go of some stuff. I figure, if I haven't fished it in a year or so, it would be better off in somebody else's hands than collecting dust in my crowded "fishing room."

I have to admit, part of it is also some pangs of guilt of "consumerism" setting in. See, I recently read the quasi-business book "Let My People Go Surfing"by Yvon Chouinard. If you're not a fan of Patagonia (the brand) I wouldn't recommend reading it, but there was a lot of good stuff in there, particularly about fair business practices, being environmental stewards, and doing more with less. Check it out if you have interest. I did it on audiobook over a week or so's worth of drives to and from work.

Anyway... back to the garage sale. Last night I put a few lightly used tenkara rods up for sale in the T! Store, as well a pair of bra…
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Restless for the Driftless

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Less than a month until my next trip to the Driftless. To say I'm excited is a bit of an understatement. With the way this winter is hanging on across the country, I'm guessing it's going to be cold, but that's okay, I still own jackets, wool socks, and such... I'm not that "Florida" yet.


As of tonight, all of the arrangments are made - plane, car, lodging - now it's just time to wrangle some gear and pack my bags. I plan to travel light on that front. Just a rod or two, a few small boxes of flies, some lines and tippet, and a fishing backpack to carry it all. Oh, and maybe some extra batteries for the camera, I'd like to take some video.


One of the reasons why I'm going to the Driftless is the Midwest Tenkara Fest, so I have a feeling if I forget something, I'll be able to pick up missing odds and ends locally... along with a Spotted Cow or three...


In the meantime, the countdown begins. Maybe a few nights at the vise between now and then…
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The 5 Best Tenkara Rods?

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There's a blog post out there that's been circulating for a little bit longer than a year with a very similar title to this one that I don't really care for. It's not so much the rods or companies that are recognized, it's the article's questionable evaluation of them, including calling them "American Made." Since that post seems to have good SEO qualities, it never quite fades into oblivion, resurfacing on social media every few months.

Rearing its head yet again on the Appalachian Tenkara Anglers Facebook pagelast week, I decided to turn the tables and ask the group members what they think the five best tenkara rods are. You know, real feedback from real tenkara anglers. A few models (not exactly five) were mentioned, which I'll highlight below.

I would like to note that it appeared as if many people replied with a lean towards value or "beginner" rods. Not that there's anything wrong with that, just thought that context may be he…
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The Quest For The Ultimate Fly Fishing Kayak - Blue Sky Boatworks 360 Angler

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Hey, TQFTUFFKis back... after a bit of a hiatus. What brought it back from the dead? A very unexpected email. And let's be honest, this latest entry from Blue Sky Boatworks (same parent company as Jackson Kayak) is a little bit out in left field. But who said left field was a bad place to be!?!


For somebody who's seeking a personal watercraft that's sort of a hybrid between a kayak and a bass boat, well this may just be the thing for you.


It looks like it's an incredibly stable fishing platform, fairly maneuverable, and has the ability to be paddled, pedaled, or even go on the move with an electric motor.

The 360 Angler will eventually retail for $3500, but right now via Kickstarter, it's available for $2500. (The "early bird" at $2200 already sold out!)


Plus, Jimmy Houston digs it... that's all the validation I need.


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