Field & Stream

The tenkara community is growing fast. Several people have already started enjoying fishing small streams with this simple method of fly-fishing.

Today tenkara and Tenkara USA were featured in the Field & Stream magazine “Fly-Talk” blog. The blog can be found in the Field & Stream homepage and can also be seen here: http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/how-fish/2009/04/tenkara-fly-fishing-heaven#comment-296634

The blog’s author poses the question: “What do you think, new form of small creek fishing that’s here to stay or just another fad that’s here today and gone tomorrow? Considering it’s been around in Japan since the 8th or 9th centuries BC it might be worth giving a whirl.”

We’d love to hear your comments.

Fly-fishing simplicity

An article recently published by Mr. Gordon Wickstrom, “Grave and great: Fly fishing for our time” deeply resonated with what I have always been seeking in fly-fishing: a simplicity that may have been lost as the industry pushed for more and more layers of complexity. I found this simplicity in tenkara, and it was beautifully put in words by Wickstrom, where he says, “The idea is to live — and fish — more modestly and honestly, more simply, more economically, more personally and dynamically, yet, transparently.”

In the article, Wickstrom refers to an article by Ed Engle, a fly-fishing and outdoor writer, where Engle says, “What I like most is catching a trout in the most direct way possible. My most memorable fish have been the ones where there was as little between me and the trout as possible. That mean’s a single small unweighted fly that I’ve tied myself and the application of a no-nonsense, aesthetically pleasing, but practical, cast.”

This struck a chord with the idea behind tenkara fishing, which aims at getting away from all the gear and complexities of fly-fishing, and I just had to share it with you.

You may find Wickstrom’s article here: “Grave and great: Fly fishing for our time”

Environmental conservation

Tenkara USA is devoted to the environment and commited to the planet through the 1% For the Planet network. We will donate at least 1% of our sales to environmental conservation and protection agencies.

We are currently looking for organizations that help support and protect the environment. We are particularly interested in those that focus on small-stream conservation efforts, as we believe small-streams are a fundamental part of an Eco-system.

If you know any organizations that we should consider donating 1% of our sales to, please add comments below or send us an email: info@tenkarausa.com

Spey and Tenkara

This weekend Tenkara USA was present at the Spey-O-Rama event at the pools of the Golden Gate Angling and Casting Club.

The event attracted a large crowd. When stopping by our table and learning about tenkara, most people quickly exclaimed the, “this would be great for backpacking”, and “I know some streams where this would be just perfect!”.

Guests got to try several different tenkara rods and quickly learned the way of casting with a tenkara rod – just a bit slower and with a shorter stroke, many likened it to casting with a bamboo rod and a shorter stroke. Most people were amazed with the lighteness of the rods and the fact that they are telescopic.

Welcome and enjoy the tenkara journey!

Welcome to Tenkara USA.

The journey began for us several months ago when we realized it was not possible to find tenkara gear or much information here in the US. How could such an effective and gentle art form and sport have not been brought to America yet? Shortly after asking that question, and having no good answer for it, Tenkara USA was conceived and work began .

For months we have been testing numerous tenkara rods, lines and flies to bring you only the best, even if that meant hours and hours fishing our favorite streams (someone just had to do it). We have also been translating and developing content about tenkara and a site that we hope you can enjoy. Of course,  and all the good start-up business stuff.

We’ll continue building the site, bringing you good content, videos, gear and updates. As the old cliché goes,  tenkara “is not a sprint, it’s a marathon…”

– “Tight lines”

As a Tenkara enthusiast in New York recently told us, “tight line” actually refers to the fixed-line fishing method (such as tenkara) vs. “running line”. So, when using it, make sure you are referring to tenkara, not western fly-fishing 🙂