I recently got a Fujino Soft Tenkara line from Tenkara-Ya which is exactly the same as the other Soft Tenkara Lines I own, but, it’s “white”. I was curious to know what “white” meant. Is it 100% opaque? Is it really just clear? Before I ordered, I asked Keiichi-san (owner of Tenkara-Ya) and he said…
Every angler new to tenkara will inevitably face the age-old question: should I use a level line or a furled line? Often, it’s phrased, “which one is better?” My answer is (of course) it depends. But that answer can seem somewhat dismissive and disappointing. Instead, I thought I’d offer a more definitive answer–outlining the pros…
Since tenkara came to the U.S., it attracted misconceptions like a magnet. You’ve probably heard as many as my guest John Vetterli and I have. In this episode, we go through our lists of common tenkara myths and debunk them on by one.
You happen upon an idyllic, long stretch of water, and every inch of it looks like it would hold fish. It’s right out of a magazine–perfect trout water. But now what? Where should you cast first? What kind of presentation should you try? Upstream? Downstream? Which fly should you start with? When you’re blind fishing,…
This article is inspired by a recent post on Tenkara Angler entitled “The Unsuspecting Minimalist and a Review of Sorts” by Anthony Naples. It was a few years ago at one of the Tenkara Summits. I was giving a tying demo and had my tools and vise laid out at the table. As I was…
A Scandal in Tenkara … Years ago, there was something of a controversy in the tenkara community. There were some who accused suggested that Oni rods were counterbalanced in the butt end of the rod and that’s why they felt so impossibly light in the hand. It seemed to be logical, and there was even…
They’re here! 3 designs, 8 colors! I’m excited to announce that the t-shirts I’ve been teasing you with for months are finally in the Etsy Shop! Unlike most of the tenkara shirts out there, these are truly unique and real pieces of art! I commissioned outdoor artist Ryan Keene to create three original…
Over the years, my fly fishing carry system has evolved through a series of mutations. I’ve tried everything: vests, vest packs, chest packs, waist packs, hip packs, sling packs, backpacks, flapjacks, minimalism, maximalism, antidisestablishmentarianism–you name it. They were all adequate. But the combined addictions to tackle and curiosity compel me to avidly revise. My…
In my book, a good rain jacket is an essential piece of gear. Here in the Rockies, a thunderstorm can come out of the blue and either ruin or make your day (depending on if you’re prepared or not). We all know some of the best fishing is in the rain. And certain insects…
See why tenkara is perfect for backcountry fly fishing with Backpacking Light’s Ryan Jordan!
When it comes to lines, perhaps nothing is more iconic of tradition than the horse tail line. To me, its mere mention conjures images of picture-perfect days and buttery smooth casts to discerning trout worthy of a presentation with such classic tackle. In 2011, I made a few of my own. It was easy, but…
At the 2023 Denver Fly Fishing Show, I got to see some of the newer Tenkara Tanuki models in person. I recently wrote about the Headwaters 240, but the other one I was curious about was the Barebones Nymphing Rod (mostly because I wanted to see exactly what earned it its “nymphing” moniker). I was…
Adam Trahan & Jason tap into their UL hiking backgrounds and apply them to simplifying their tenkara experiences.
Since the day I first picked up a fly rod, I’ve been trying to figure out the ideal way to carry my gear. Like many, I’ve run through the gamut of vests, hip packs, chest packs, sling packs … you get it. In recent years, I’ve been using a kind of modular system with different…