Freeing stuck segments

While Dr. Ishigaki was visiting he showed us a very cool method for freeing two segments that are stuck on a tenkara rod (or any telescopic rod). It’s very simple, and effective, particularly if you have pieces that are stuck very tight or one of the thinner segments is stuck. I still recommend the tapping method in the field or for most cases as that will normally take care of most cases. However, the rubber band should be used  if you have a hard time freeing the pieces:

Tenkara nets now available.

I have said it before and will say it again, I have fallen in love with tenkara nets for stream fishing. After a lot of requests for us to offer tenkara nets and a long period spent developing nets that could be made with high quality and consistency, I’m proud to announce that our tenkara nets are finally available.

The best mesh for stream fish.

The super fine mesh of tenkara nets is absolutely ideal for stream fishing. Hand-made with nylon, the mesh has tiny 2mm gaps, which presents several advantages for stream fishing and until now have not been offered to anglers outside of Japan. The very fine mesh gently cradles the fish to minimize damage to its skin.  A fish will never get caught in the gaps, as may happen in the wider gaps of some nets where the gills or jaw of fish can sometimes be damaged when they thrash around in other nets. It’s very light weight and retains no water (a quick shake will dry it entirely). And, my favorite, it will not snag your fly.

The best net design

Based on the original “design” of tenkara nets, which are made with one single branch and have a frame positioned at an angle from the handle, one couldn’t come up with a more functional design nowadays. The angle between the frame and handle can serve several purposes.

It allows you to position it on your back, through the wading belt ,while the net stays off your back and allows for free movement. When fishing in shallower water you can press it behind your knees after you net a fish so you can use both hands to manage the fish, or take a picture.  If in deeper water, you can also leave the handle through your wading belt on your side as you have both hands free to unhook the fish or take a picture. The round handle also ensures you can position it between your legs, or the positions mentioned above, and it won’t turn. In sum, a very well designed angler’s tool and it has become our favorite picture-taking device.

For more information on why we love tenkara nets so much please see our blog posts on tenkara nets: https://tenkarausa.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/netuse.gif?tag=tenkara-net

We also offer separate mesh for the nets in case you want to venture into making your own tenkara nets.

Tenkara featured in the New York Times!!!

A major milestone for tenkara in the US. Yesterday an article on tenkara was published in the New York Times! It is inevitable that after the period of intrigue, and reluctance, tenkara would work its way to become a well established method of fly-fishing.

The article was very well written by Mr. James Card, who met with Ms. Misako Ishimura for a day of tenkara fishing. It talked about the story of its introduction to the US, with the participation of Tenkara USA and its founder (me), Misako Ishimura, Chris “Tenkara Bum” Stewart, and Dr. Ishigaki, of course.

Please take a look: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/16/sports/16tenkara.html?_r=1#

One fly – Doubt and Confidence

Ever since getting into the discipline of using one fly pattern/style only, with no great concern for choosing the “right” fly, but rather focusing proper fishing technique (presentation and manipulation of the fly), there have been moments of doubt. However, I have chosen to rely less on gear and perfect technique instead. I wanted to learn more, to become proficient at fishing, not spend my time changing flies. Further, I’m very attracted to the idea that whether I catch a fish or not is entirely up to me and my technique, and that if a fish is not biting maybe I could do something slightly different. This thought, that maybe it’s not my fly selection, but rather my technique on fishing it, have dramatically pushed me to become a better angler. I have stuck with using a tenkara fly only (mostly size 12), no matter where I fish, or what is hatching.  Also, absolutely no indicators, no floatant and no weight!  To once again borrow the words of Yvon Chouinard on the subject, “I believe the way toward mastery of any endeavor is to work toward simplicity; replace complex technology with knowledge, hard work and skill.”

Since the idea of sticking with one fly and relying solely on my technique is still relatively new to me, sometimes doubt creeps in. This is especially true if I find myself  fishing a bigger, slower river, like the Madison, for which everyone has advice on what fly to use and for which there are dozens of books on what specific patterns to use at different times of the year, etc. And, it’s also true if I find myself in the company of very experienced anglers, like John Gierach and Ed Engle, who may be using different patterns in a stream they know well. And, it is especially the case if the day is slow.  In these situations it’s very easy to lose confidence in my technique, in the techniques I can use to attract fish, and start thinking that maybe they are right! But are they? The western thought of matching the hatch is so ingrained in our minds that it’s hard to let go of it and realize that a couple of hundred years ago professional tenkara anglers, in the mountains of Japan, who depended on catching trout for a living, made it happen with one fly pattern and flawless technique. Nowadays that is the approach taken by tenkara anglers in Japan, for sport, and they continue catching fish.