Tenkara

S

svbk556

Joined
Aug 19, 2011
Messages
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This could go in the fishing related forum but I wanted more of a practical survival-related opinion. Any of you guys/gals have any experience with Tenkara. From a survivalist standpoint, looks like it could be a worthwhile skill and piece of gear.
Tenkara USA
tenkarausa.com

Thanks-

Scott
 
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A kind of fly fishing - no weights are used, IIRC. It didn't originate here in the U.S. I don't know anyone who does it.

Perhaps the OP or other members could clarify how it is done?

~Chris
 
Known in the South as jiggerpoling & doodlesocking. Do it for trout & it's shortlining & Czech nymphing.

Uplander
 
Thanks for the input guys - What I found interesting is that the gear consists of a rod which telescopes down to 20 inches and weighs less than 1.5 lbs - no reel
 
I have considered trying it but couldn't see any advantage over my 5 1/2", 2wt rod for small steam fishing. I do have a piece of floating fly-line in my kit though thinking it could work with a tree branch in a survival situation.
 
I could see it for panfish and small trout. But a large trout or salmon? With no spool there's nothing left to let the fish run.
It seems like there's no real playing the fish, which IMO, is half the fun.
 
Never really heard of it, But a few years back I went backpacking to the high sierra. I knew of a few places with lots of trout in streams. Before I left I got some flys at the big 5. Some regular fishing line and about 5ft long bambo. Which I guess is about same thing as Tenkara fishing all about. Most of the streams were about 2-6 foot wide and 1-4ft deep. In no time there were 2 trout in the grass waiting to be cooked. I don't have the set up anymore, A fly fisherman Wanted to know what I used to catch the trout with. On the second day I let him have my cheap set up. As he didn't have half the luck in fishing as I had. The streams were too small for him to use the regular fly fishing EQ. I had no idea that it had a name to it. I do have an a nice telescopic fishing pole that I had for over 10 years. I got it from a Korean fishing store here in LA. Used it in Kern river and got some nice fish with it, Right between the rocks. As for a fight just wait till you get a 3lb trout on a pole that can bend in half and you try and pull it out of fast moving river.

http://www.allfishingbuy.com/Fishing-Pole/Pole-A1-114-3-13012.htm

http://www.tenkarausa.com/product_info.php/products_id/85

Never used this site and I know that the pole I got didn't cost as much. But you can get the idea of that they look like. A 25ft pole with a line and a few flys. weights close to nothing take very little room in the pack. It does work in lakes, rivers and I seen one Korean guy catch some fish in the ocean right between the rocks. I pulled a 5lb carb from a lake once and it was a fight cause the pole bends almost in half.
If you want I can take a few pics of the pole and the pouch if comes with this weekend.

Sasha
 
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Okay, I got curious & looked it up. I'm going to try this out as soon as I can get a pole to do it.

[youtube]N40BOFYKR38[/youtube]

~Chris
 
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Interesting. I grew up along the sloughs and bayous of the Missisippi River and I've been "tenkaraing" all my life. Of course we just called it dabbling. The rod was a 10-12' cane pole with a line tied to the tip, about the same length as the pole so that when you lifted the pole, the fish came to hand. The same setup caught crawdads and bullfrogs as well as fish.
 
Some trophy bass have been taken that way, skittering a pork rind on the surface at night. Don't just tie your line to the tip of your pole -- spiral it down to the butt and tie it on there too so when the pole breaks you still have your fish.
 
Looks like it could be a valid(and enjoyable) way to bring food to the fire without adding weight to the pack.
 
Fishing in its purest form. I did it when I was a kid and didn't know what it was called. I'm (back) in!
 
I have a fountainhead pole. Love it. I walk down to the neighborhood pond with an altoid tin full of flies and my pole. The guys are beating the water to death with plugs jigs and spinners.

I sit down to extend my tenkara rod and tie a fly. Someone asks "is that a cane pole". No I tell them. Then gently
Work the same corner they just left and wham! Pull out an 18" bass. I usually have to fight with a lot of bluegills for every bass but that's ok. I hate fishing for hours to not catch. I'd rather unhook 10 bluegill to catch a bass then beat the water with the heavier baits.
It really is a minimalist way and peaceful. Not everyone's style but worth it to me.

Badge54
 
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