Tenkara: Can an idiot fish?

[Adrian Swanson]

So–I'll be hiking in either the Wind River Range or Yellowstone this summer. I thought it would be fun to try my hand at some Tenkara fly fishing.

However, I have little knowledge with fishing, and NO knowledge fly fishing. Is this going to be an easy feat to achieve how much skill/practice time/gear do I need to catch a fish?

[Steven Paris]

Last winter, I got a Tenkara rod for the holidays. Sadly, it sits forlornly in a corner. I figure it's one of those pieces of gear that I can keep and eventually use, even if not using right now.

Anyway, most everything I read (mostly here, a few tenkara FAQs/blogs) was to start with this book:

http://www.amazon.com/Curtis-Creek-Manifesto-Illustrated-Paraphernalia/dp/0936608064/ref=sr_1_26?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1368052815&sr=1-26&keywords=fly+fishing

I can't say whether it has magically made me a decent fisherman (I have fly-fished before but it's been a while), but it is very accessible and easy to understand. It might be a good place to start. I'm sure others will chime in with more concrete advice.

[Adrian Swanson]

I've just bought a used copy on Amazon.com…unfortunately my library did not have a copy..

I have done a little more reading and it seems that yes, Tenkara might be one of the more idiot-proof methods of fishing. Hopefully the book will help set me on the right path.

I'm trying to decide if I want to reach for the TenkaraUSA vs. the TenkaraBum kits or..something else? I'm not really sure what I should be considering when comparing similar rods. Are TenkaraUSA rods worth the money?

[Stuart .]

I went to a tenkara presentation featuring Daniel Galhardo a couple of months ago, and out of ~80-90 people in the audience, I was only one of four who had never fished before. The overwhelming impression I left with was that I would be at a distinct advantage over the folks who western fly-fish. They have so many habits to unlearn in order to adapt to tenkara. The questions asked by the audience focused on equipment, and disbelief that you could be effective with 'a rod, a line and one fly'. Daniel's message was that in keeping the equipment simple, it eliminates self-imposed variables that get in the way of learning technique. The initial learning curve is shallow, but there's plenty to keep anglers challenged – and rewarded – for years to come.

I bought the 12' Iwana starter kit. I'm impressed at the quality, but I haven't compared it side by side with any other brands. I like the TUSA rod warranty and return policy. They reduce and/or remove barriers to entry.

[Link .]

Adrian,you have probably seen this already but just in case you haven't,or you might like this blog.

[BlackHatGuy]

A friend is giving me a Tenkara rod. I'm quite excited, can't wait to try it out! I'll check out the book!

[t.darrah]

"A friend is giving me a Tenkara rod. I'm quite excited…"

Excited about trying tenkara or about having a friend?

[BlackHatGuy]

"Excited about trying tenkara or about having a friend?"

Since it's my first time for both, I can't decide…..

[Adrian Swanson]

Good luck with both.

[Gary Dunckel]

Try to not become attached to either, Doug–It's all about catch and release, right?

[Justin Baker]

I'm thinking about getting one for stream fishing. I love the simplicity. I have fished a lot of tiny streams where a rod and reel setup was just awkward.

[D G]

Man hold stiff tenkara rod in hand find happiness.

[D G]

Tenkara rod with too much flex no good.

[Author]

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