|
|
Post by trinity on Jan 13, 2017 6:30:57 GMT -8
Anyone here have any experience with Tenkara fishing? I've been considering getting a new fly setup specifically geared for backpacking, probably a short 3-weight with multiple sections (perhaps along these lines), but it seems like many backpackers fish with a Tenkara rod, which I have never tried. Have any of you fishing backpackers (or backpacking fishers) tried Tenkara? |
|
|
|
Post by markweth on Jan 13, 2017 7:16:19 GMT -8
I started fishing sub-alpine lakes and small rivers here in Montana using a Tenkara set-up last year. I absolutely love it. The simplicity is perfect, the weight is negligible (at least to me), and it is FUN. I can drop my pack when I come to a lake and be fishing in literally a minute. Provides hours of entertainment and is a great way to relax after setting up camp near a lake. I am a novice fisherman and didn't really have much previous experience with fly fishing or other types of fishing, but I did some basic research online and on the Tenkara website and feel like I caught on fairly quickly. The fish in the mountain lakes here are hungry, so I haven't found it terribly challenging. The water is so clear and most of the time I was able to simply cast at fish, watch them rise, set the hook, land them, then release them. Some afternoons I caught 20+ fish in one lake before moving on to another and catching 20+ more there. The rivers are a bit more challenging, but were still a lot of fun. I caught fewer fish, but the ones I did catch were larger. Most of the fish I was catching in the lakes were 6 to 10 inches, which was a lot of fun and I never really had much problem landing them. Larger fish (12 to 14 inches) in the river required a lot more effort and really highlighted the need for me to improve my technique, as I lost a few of them when trying to land them. Here are a few pictures from this past fall, all caught on a Tenkara rod/line:    If you are really a serious fisherman, then you might be more happy with a traditional fly rod and reel since it gives you more options, but since I don't have any background in fly fishing I don't really know what I'm missing out on. All I know is that my pack is about 6 ounces heavier (includes the rod, case, flies, line, etc.), I can be fishing in a minute or two upon arrival at a lake/stream, I've caught fish fairly easily, and I have no regrets about buying the Tenkara set up  |
|
|
|
Post by Lamebeaver on Jan 13, 2017 8:21:54 GMT -8
The rivers are a bit more challenging, but were still a lot of fun. I caught fewer fish, but the ones I did catch were larger. I think river fish give you a lot more fight for their size. I figure they're stronger since they're constantly fighting the current instead of just cruising around like lake trout. |
|
jazzmom
Trail Wise!
a.k.a. TigerFan
Posts: 3,060 
|
Post by jazzmom on Jan 13, 2017 12:14:30 GMT -8
markweth , stop bragging on your catch and show us the rod setup! 
|
|
|
|
Post by johntpenca on Jan 13, 2017 13:05:53 GMT -8
backpackinglight.com has a pretty extensive Tenkara section.
|
|
|
|
Post by swimswithtrout on Jan 13, 2017 16:45:26 GMT -8
In the mid 70's, before it ever had a fancy name (and price), I would tuck a 9' tapered leader and a couple of flies in a film canister and just find a willow branch with the proper length/flexability to drift a few flies for stream Brookies in the Winds or Colorado vs carrying my fly rod/reel.
|
|
rebeccad
Trail Wise!
Writing like a maniac
Posts: 12,677
|
Post by rebeccad on Jan 13, 2017 21:45:39 GMT -8
Still sounds like a lot of gear compared to the drop-lines we used to fish off the docks when I was a kid  (I have to admit that the fact that we often dropped the lines down between the planks does suggest that we had limited expectations of success, though my brothers occasionally caught a flounder). |
|
markskor
Trail Wise!
Mammoth Lakes & Tuolumne Meadows...living the dream
Posts: 651 
|
Post by markskor on Jan 14, 2017 15:54:46 GMT -8
Have used my Tenkara set-up for a few years now...nice big-boy toy. It has its place.
Here in my Sierra, have found the larger lunker variety of trout...the ones I now usually target (nice Cutt BTW), mostly hold deep, off shore a bit...hard to reach with this lite rod and limited line...a little frustrating to be able to see but not be able reach them.
The streams though, (mostly smaller rivers)...not too many "A River Runs Through It" waterways up this high. However, this is where the Tenkara shines. You can follow a smaller flow, and dink and diddle along for hours. Occasionally you get some weight but mostly 10" - 12"...just fun!
|
|
|
|
Post by trinity on Jan 23, 2017 7:01:05 GMT -8
Thanks, everyone, sounds like I might want to pick one up eventually. Definitely would be nice to just be able to stop and fish during the day without having to rig up a rod and reel. I'll probably just keep an eye on BPL, they turn up used there on a pretty regular basis. markweth , those are beautiful photos! |
|
T4
Trail Wise!
Posts: 100
|
Post by T4 on Jan 23, 2017 7:42:30 GMT -8
I grew up using one of those, except we called them cane poles. :D I've been a dedicated light tackle angler my entire life, and for multi-purpose fishing I honestly don't think you can beat the versatility and ease of use of a small ultralight spinning outfit. When I'm looking to make it harder on myself, or just want to play purist, I will break out a light fly outfit. Our fish down here are a little bit bigger than trout though. |
|
mrarrowhead
Trail Wise!
Gear Man at Arrowhead-Equipment.com
Posts: 22
|
Post by mrarrowhead on Feb 2, 2017 15:47:54 GMT -8
I have been Tenkara fishing exclusively for the past 5+ years. I fish it all over the west and do a lot of backpacking for fishing. Tenkara rods are not really like cane poles...big difference in the action of the rods. Tenkara rods are made to be very, very flexible and that gives you a very different feel to fighting the fish. With the softer rods you can feel the line in the air...a lot of control when you can feel the rod load under jus the weight of the line and fly.
I do a lot of alpine streams and lakes but I also hit the larger rivers here in Idaho and have caught fish over 20" with Tenkara rods.
|
|
(I have to admit that the fact that we often dropped the lines down between the planks does suggest that we had limited expectations of success, though my brothers occasionally caught a flounder).
