Any Tenkara fishermen in here?

I

ignatius

Joined
Jan 13, 2012
Messages
126
I had heard of Tenkara a few years ago, but didnt get interested in it until I read an article about Tenkara in the TU magazine. I started researching it on forums and picked up a rod and line from another fisherman. After spending 6 months learning how to use the Tenkara gear I have to say I am a fan! I can present a dry fly better w my Tenkara rod then I can w my western set up, and fighting a fish is a blast since the gear is lightweight. I would enjoy hearing from other bladeforum brothers who are interested in Tenkara or already actually doing it now.

I will grab a pic of my setup and post here for reference.

Ignatius
 
I have been tenkara fishing for trout for about 4 years now. I find it to be a lot of fun and also very effective. The gear can be bought pretty cheap compared to western fly fishing. Right now I am using a really lightweight rod I bought from tenkarabum. I can't remember the rod name, I just know it makes the small brookies feel like giants.
 
I use a Nissan Air Stage bought from tenkarabum as well. It's not a Tenkara rod @ 6' but works fine in the tunnels for dapping a fly. I fished classic Tenkara 11' rods but they were much too cumbersome for my typical native brook trout waters. Most aren't two to three feet across.
 
No trout here But I have been playing with one for panfish.
Roy
 
Last edited:
I like to flyfish. Never tried tenkara but am planning on buying a rod this fall. Local waters not conducive to that type of fishing (large tailwaters or small streams) and none of the local shops stock them.. Bought the tenkara usa flytying video which is interesting
 
dipbait said:
That is a very interesting technique . Id like to try it for sunfish.
Click to expand...
I was using a small grasshopper fly on my tenkara rod Monday evening The bluegills and creekchub where hammering it.
colapsed the 12 ft rod fits under the top tube of my bicycle with velcro straps small fieldline shoulder bag for flybox, line, leaders, hemistats and clippers. And still have room for a camera and a snack . and a small oblong trout net fits in the cargo pocket of my cargo shorts incase you hook a smallie . Tiny poppers work well too. I ran over to bass pro and they only had 2 of the grasshopper fies left
Roy

Edit I use the bike because there is a creek that runs along the bike trail locally . Several places you can walk 5 ft off the bike trail and fish
 
I have been using 15# flourocarbon tipped with 3-4ft of 6X (3.5lb) leader I have some 20# mono shooting leader material I am going to try today It is red and should be easier to see. I have the day off and am heading out to the creek now
Roy
 
Dipbait the line I used today worked well it is sunset Amesia line a leader material I used 20# test for a level line with 6x leader 3-4 ft I caught a lot of chub and pumpkin seed sunfish in the creek I caught a few decent gills in the main lake . I had a dinner plate bluegill get off at the bank. Plus I got 8.3 miles on the bike.
Gear I carried this morning
P7250010_zpsbbbbcfd4.jpg

P7250005_zps63549b23.jpg

Transport, tenkara rod is strapped under the top tube
P7250006_zpsba95d2c4.jpg

Two best fish
P7250007_zpsb533627f.jpg

P7250008_zps7638991d.jpg
 
I going to get one of those rods . That looks like fun.Do you recommend the 12 footer?
 
dipbait said:
I going to get one of those rods . That looks like fun.Do you recommend the 12 footer?
Click to expand...

The 12 foot works well . If I ever buy another one I think a 10 footer would be good for smaller creeks. (low brush) I think for having just one rod 12 ft is a happy balance . But I have only been fishing tenkara for about a year so I'm no expert. I'm heading out to the gun club shortly they have a lake full of 3-5 lb channel cats and some big bream
Roy

Edit : I'm back got one picture before camera battery died . this fish weighed as much as both of the above pictured fish\
P7250011_zps5176f289.jpg
 
Last edited:
I just learned about this technique, I am really interested. I always thought simple fishing is the best. Can't wait to get some gear. Already trying to tie some Tenkara flys.
 
I think I saw a Dave Canterbury video where he makes a Tenkara rod with a stick, some line, and some paracord. For anyone who is interested in trying it without spending money you should look it up. The gear is pretty cheap though and I think its pretty fun/effective!
 
had to google it to see what it was.

found out I had been doing that since I was a kid, never knew it had a name. we always just called it fishing with a cane pole. we never used fly fishing line but the basics were the same.

I think I'll put together a cane pole and some fly fishing line and give it a try again with the modifications.
 
heresthedeal said:
had to google it to see what it was.

found out I had been doing that since I was a kid, never knew it had a name. we always just called it fishing with a cane pole. we never used fly fishing line but the basics were the same.

I think I'll put together a cane pole and some fly fishing line and give it a try again with the modifications.
Click to expand...

I to fish cane poles then the telescopic bream poles for years , and still do. But there is a big difference in a cane pole and a tenkara pole in flex . My tenkara rod is .025 at the tip . You can catch a few fish with fly line and a bream pole. I did that first too! I use a 20# test shooting leader material as fly line with 6X tippet (3.5lb test) and small wet flies or poppers and catch more big bluegills than any other fishing method I have tried
Roy
 
plumberroy said:
I to fish cane poles then the telescopic bream poles for years , and still do. But there is a big difference in a cane pole and a tenkara pole in flex . My tenkara rod is .025 at the tip . You can catch a few fish with fly line and a bream pole. I did that first too! I use a 20# test shooting leader material as fly line with 6X tippet (3.5lb test) and small wet flies or poppers and catch more big bluegills than any other fishing method I have tried
Roy
Click to expand...

The thinness of the rod and light tackle seem to be the difference.

I looked up that canterbury vid, it wasn't bad, long winded as usual but after you fast forward a few times it had some good info.

I have river cane, (arundinaria gigantea) growing in my backyard so I'll be making some of the poles and trying this out.

the vocabulary for fly fishing is a foreign language but the bait shop up the road should be able to help me out.

I'll take some pics of the pole and fish if I get any.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top