Tenkara Fishing- Show and Tell

[bralexander]

Well, after seeing someone on this forum mention tenkara fishing, I checked it out and ordered some (cheapo) gear. The last of it should be coming in tomorrow and I am excited to give it a shot. I know there is plenty of info in other places online, but would like to hear about some experiences with tenkara from forum members.
So, tips, tricks, pics, and reviews......


Thanks in advance,
Bruce

 

[C.F.O.]

I have a lot of pictures, i'll have to add them another time (they're on another computer)
I took up tenkara because i like to challenge myself, i love simplicity in all things, and because i saw that i could carry a tenkara rod anywhere anytime basically.
I also loved the look of the flies, and since i love tying, that was a new challenge as well. I also have a weird fetish for catching the biggest fish possible with the smallest gear and fly possible, which plays into the whole tenkara thing.

So that's why i tried it out... The thing i learnt once i started fishing, is how freakin exciting it is to catch even a 2lbs fish on a tenkara rod, holy hell, it's so nerve racking! you have so little margin for error. You know that feeling when you're about to land a GIANT fish, a new personal best, and you get that wash of fear that you're going to lose it while netting it? and what it would feel like to never get it in the boat? i have that feeling ever time i hook a good fish with tenkara gear.
Just for fun, here's my bee pattern i use for bass, and some small tenkara flies.

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[bralexander]

Those look awesome! I switched to %90 ultralight fishing over the last couple years for the same reasons you mentioned.
Bruce

 

[c.t.smith]

Nice flies. I have and addiction to river nymph fishing with a 4wt . It's a rush and I tie all my own as well.

 

[billym]

I love the concept but due to low funds no Tenkara gear for me. It seem like it is getting good reception in the US. I was in an Orvis shop two years ago and they had Tenkara gear and the guy I spoke with was as excited as I was. I love minimal gear/ultralight fishing way back to when I used to go Bluegill (fresh) or Snapper (baby Blues, salt) as a child.
BTW one key concept of Tenkara is to use only one or only a few patterns in different sizes. They don't try to match the hatch visually as much as proper presentation.
I would love one of the super UL sets for the Sierra Nevada.

 

[plumberroy]

I fish Tenkara mainly for bluegills ( not many trout locally ) I fish mainly small woolly buggers since the seem to catch fish any time .
I have fountianhead stone fly rods in 11 ft. and 12 ft and a tenkaraUSA amigo 13'6"
this is my flybox and a few nice gills caught on tenkara

 

[bralexander]

Alright, I am hooked! My cheapo rod came in and I hit the lake for a couple hours. Somehow managed to catch a sunfish and a bluegill. There is definitely a bunch I need to learn, but it is really fun. Of course I cannot get my phone to upload pics to the drive now, so they will have to wait.
Thanks for everyone's post so far and keep em coming,
Bruce

 

[MattWRog]

You're not alone. I just found out about them myself. Looks really interesting! Love the simplicity, have always wanted to try fly casting but getting started just with the equipment can seem a dubious task. This concept makes a lot of sense. I've got some research to do.

 

[bralexander]

Finally, my phone is working with me! This is my cheapo setup, with a full size Copperlock, for reference (and because it is one of my favorite edc knives!).
Bruce

 

[nick_30]

I have never heard of this style fishing. Is it basically like perch jerkin with a extendable pole except using Flys instead of worms

 

[bralexander]

I have never heard of this style fishing. Is it basically like perch jerkin with a extendable pole except using Flys instead of worms

I have never heard that term, perch jerkin, but I think it is somewhat similar. I am obviously new to tenkara, but from what I have learned so far, it is more fly fishing without a reel. I am really having fun with it.
Bruce

 

[nick_30]

They call it that because you are doing a jerkin motion to set the hook and then yank them out with a VERY flexible 14ft pole with no reel either
Must be a south or Texas thing
Btw, the term perch is used for blue gill, sun fish, walleye(smaller kind) and sometimes even bass if you happen to get one.
Talk about a fight, you catch a 2 lb bass on one of those and it is dang near impossible to get it to the shore

 

[bralexander]

Well....I learn something new everyday! It's funny you say about using perch as a "catch all" for a bunch of different fish. Down Here we use bream in the same way. It covers bluegill, sunfish, crappie, etc.
Bruce

 

[nick_30]

We do to...funny

 

[tom19176]

First nice Bluegills! This style reminds me of my fishing days in the 1970s when my Dad bought a box of dry flies for me ( he was not a fisherman) and I used a 10 foot bamboo pole with a float to control the placement of the fly. I caught alot of "bream & perch" that way! I have to try this method soon!