A summary of Tenkara Fly Fishing

Tenkara fly fishing is a method that originated in the mountains of Japan and has now developed into a modern pastime. It employs long rods and fixed lengths of casting line that are attached to the rod-tip. The word "Tenkara," a shortening of "tenkara-tsuri," literally translates to "Fly Fishing" in the traditional mountain-dwelling communities of the Tohoku region of Japan. This terminology was formalized in the 1980s by Yuzo Sebata through Japan's famous "Tsuribito" (Fisherman) magazine.

Why choose Tenkara over a regular fly rod and reel

While techniques used in Tenkara can be effectively applied with "Euro-nymphing" rods, Tenkara gear offers unique fishing advantages. The lack of rod-rings/guides on the blank means that much finer and more flexible rod tips can be used, allowing them to effortlessly cast lighter casting lines. With the long Tenkara rods, typically 11 to 14 feet long, and a super-light casting line, you can hold all your line off the water at range, avoiding spooking fish from the splashdown that occurs with fly line. This also means you can keep your line above nagging currents that could spoil your drift.

Another big advantage is that Tenkara rods are telescopic, so it's very easy to carry them around. Many fly fishers keep a Tenkara rod and the minimum set of gear (flies, forceps) in their car. This way, whenever you come across water with potential, you can always fly fish it!

Handling large fish with a Tenkara rod

Contrary to common belief, Tenkara rods are not just for catching tiny fish. The tackle can be matched to larger fish in a similar way to other fishing methods. As well as matching rod and tippet strength to target fish, you need to practice turning fish by using sideways pressure of the rod, never pointing the rod towards a powerful fish. Steering a fish in an extended figure of 8 around the pool can turn a "reel churning" straight-line run into one or more laps around a curving "racetrack circuit".

Landing a fish with a long Tenkara line

Learning how to handle a long Tenkara line is crucial, especially since it's possible to use casting lines that are more than double the length of the rod. The important thing is not to grip the line tightly – so that a twisting fish can tug line so that it slips out between your fingers. This acts similar to the "drag" on a regular fly fishing reel.

The Skill of Tenkara Casting

Tenkara is not simply "dapping" the fly under the rod-tip. Good, accurate Tenkara casting is as skillful as regular fly fishing, with some arguing it's easier to start but harder to master. The casting of ultralight lines allows you to deliver your fly with a lot of accuracy while allowing extreme control over the presentation. That sensation of pinpoint casting by unrolling a neat casting loop is one of the main pleasures to tenkara fishing.

Understanding and setting up a Tenkara rod

Setting up a Tenkara rod may be frustrating if you're unfamiliar with the process. However, with the right steps and knots, you can effectively prevent weakening your tippet and potential breakages of your Tenkara rods. When attaching or detaching your casting line, it's crucial not to expose the rod tip outside the handle-section of the rod. Additionally, when extending the rod, do it sequentially from the thinnest section to the thickest. Similarly, while collapsing the rod, start with the handle or butt section first and work from thickest to thinnest. To prevent the rod from bending and snapping, hold the rod blank really close to each joint, especially for the thinner sections.

A conclusion and when to go Tenkara fly fishing

As with any hobby, there are lots of people that exclusively use a Tenkara rod. But we especially see the value of Tenkara as an addition to your regular fly fishing rods and reels. Whenever there is space for the longer Tenkara rod and you need precise and delicate presentation, a Tenkara rod is an excellent choice. Or, when you want to cover lots of river and want to travel as lightweight as possible it's also a good choice. Lastly: keep a spare Tenkara rod plus some flies and a forceps in your car. Your future self will thank you when you come across that beautiful undiscovered stream!

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If you want to get a visual overview, watch this amazing video guide from Tenkara USA