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Tenkara?
Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2025 10:01 am
by Stormytama
Hey everybody I’m an avid fly fisherman, but I want to try out Tenkara. Does anyone have experience with it especially in the OWENS valley? I’d love to have the backpack ability as well for some Baja San Pedro Martir fly fishing this next year too.
I’ve found an abu Garcia rod starting at $6 up to $14 for a 3m to 6m rod. Can anyone verify this would work? For 13 shipped it seems like a great quality rod for an awesome price.
Re: Tenkara?
Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2025 6:22 am
by Stormytama
Well, I decided to go for it. I watched a few YouTube videos and read what I could on this little elusive rod. Not a lot of information out there on it. I’ll report back $20 for an abu Garcia 4m rod probably can’t lose.
Hasta la promixma
Re: Tenkara?
Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2025 3:52 am
by TaBASSco
You might want to follow the adventures of Tenkara Addict on Youtube. He reviews a lot of gear and fishes all over the place., although he hails from Rock Springs Wyoming.
Re: Tenkara?
Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2025 7:52 pm
by Stormytama
TaBASSco wrote: Mon Jun 23, 2025 3:52 am
You might want to follow the adventures of Tenkara Addict on Youtube. He reviews a lot of gear and fishes all over the place., although he hails from Rock Springs Wyoming.
Thank you very much. I’ve watched a bit of his stuff. I’ll keep diving deeper
Re: Tenkara?
Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2025 10:30 am
by PUZZLE
A small 2wt fly rod can do everything a tenkara can and more. Much more versatile.
Re: Tenkara?
Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2025 7:31 am
by Stormytama
PUZZLE wrote: Wed Jun 25, 2025 10:30 am
A small 2wt fly rod can do everything a tenkara can and more. Much more versatile.
Por que no Los dos?
That’s probably true. But I really like the idea of a tenkara rod that can break down to 2’ and extend to 14’. I’ll have to experiment and see
Thank you!
Re: Tenkara?
Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2025 12:02 pm
by DarkShadow
PUZZLE wrote: Wed Jun 25, 2025 10:30 am
A small 2wt fly rod can do everything a tenkara can and more. Much more versatile.
I kinda feel the same way with the 'tight line nymphing' that is the craze nowadays.
You're using a fly rod, with mono, and not using fly line.
Why not use a spinning rod instead? To each their own, but it seems they're trying to put a round peg through a square hole.
Re: Tenkara?
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2025 8:37 pm
by Stormytama
DarkShadow wrote: Fri Jun 27, 2025 12:02 pm
PUZZLE wrote: Wed Jun 25, 2025 10:30 am
A small 2wt fly rod can do everything a tenkara can and more. Much more versatile.
I kinda feel the same way with the 'tight line nymphing' that is the craze nowadays.
You're using a fly rod, with mono, and not using fly line.
Why not use a spinning rod instead? To each their own, but it seems they're trying to put a round peg through a square hole.
That’s a good point. Maybe at some point it’s all fishing regardless of the equipment.
Idk thanks have a good night
Re: Tenkara?
Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2025 11:55 am
by Mcfish
Abu Garcia not known for their fly rods..but since you're not really casting, what the heck! Tenkara works as long as the fish don't mind you that close.
Re: Tenkara?
Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2025 11:29 am
by DarkShadow
Mcfish wrote: Sun Jul 27, 2025 11:55 am
Abu Garcia not known for their fly rods..but since you're not really casting, what the heck! Tenkara works as long as the fish don't mind you that close.
I've had my change to handle a few of Abu Garcia's rods that are JDM models and they are pretty sick. As is Fenwick's higher end offerings in Japan.
DIdn't know Abu made a Tenkara rod, but I know Abus are very endeared overseas.
I still can't find myself doing Tenkara. I've found myself having to cast 2 feet in front of me, but also 30 on the same stretch....can't do that one a Tenkara.
Re: Tenkara?
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2025 9:40 am
by Midnightpass
If you had my fly casting abilities, you'd probably go with a Tenkara rod...
...
Butch
Re: Tenkara?
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2025 10:47 am
by DarkShadow
Midnightpass wrote: Tue Jul 29, 2025 9:40 am
If you had my fly casting abilities, you'd probably go with a Tenkara rod...
...
Butch
Haha, I guess my casting was 'self taught,' and it was quite the bumpy road. The first day, I must have snapped the dozen flies I had bought, thinking that I needed to "whip" them things forward.
Until I actually stopped being stubborn and realized that I was casting my line, and not my flies, everything started to click.
I'm no Brad Pitt in a River Runs Through It, but the fact I know how to make a few different casts now proficiently makes me look back at that first day and laugh at how many flies ended up in the ether.
Re: Tenkara?
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2025 1:22 pm
by HK_Supermarket
As others have said a fly or spinning rod is going to give you more options. But I do like tenkara for it's simplicity and I use it when I travel/ hike. Make sure you do your research to have the correct setup for the stream you plan on targeting. Even with fixed length rod, you can modify line and leader length to match your needs for that particular day.
I have an extra dragontail 365 if you're in the market still. Got it for my bro and he used it once and returned it afterwards. DM if interested.
Re: Tenkara?
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2025 2:21 pm
by Midnightpass
DarkShadow wrote: Tue Jul 29, 2025 10:47 am
Midnightpass wrote: Tue Jul 29, 2025 9:40 am
If you had my fly casting abilities, you'd probably go with a Tenkara rod...
...
Butch
Haha, I guess my casting was 'self taught,' and it was quite the bumpy road. The first day, I must have snapped the dozen flies I had bought, thinking that I needed to "whip" them things forward.
Until I actually stopped being stubborn and realized that I was casting my line, and not my flies, everything started to click.
I'm no Brad Pitt in a River Runs Through It, but the fact I know how to make a few different casts now proficiently makes me look back at that first day and laugh at how many flies ended up in the ether.
I think the 1st time I tried I got a fly stuck in my butt… Thank God for Levis… No penetration…
….
Butch
Re: Tenkara?
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2025 4:40 pm
by ul22
I'd love to fish Upper Owens with tenkara and brought it with me on multiple occasions. It was always the wind that stopped me from using it. The wider Lower Owens always had me reach for other techniques.
Re: Tenkara?
Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2025 9:18 am
by HK_Supermarket
yea, high winds can make tenkara completely unfishable. I've definitely had those days where I just pack up and go if it's too windy.
Re: Tenkara?
Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2025 3:22 pm
by Bendo
First there was Tenkara, An upgrade from a Bamboo Rod. Perhaps a Marketing stunt to sell fly Rod blanks for big dollars. Then they completely upgraded it with reels and easier to cast main line and supple leaders. Why go in reverse? Just try not using your reel?