First Tenkara Outing — Lessons, Joy, and a Bit of Regret

[solitone]

The other day, I spotted a lone trout in a small lake at around 2000 meters elevation. It wasn’t a wild lake—more like a little artificial pond, and I’m guessing someone released the trout there at some point. I figured it would be a good chance to try my Tenkara USA Hane for the first time.

This morning I hiked up there. I’d never cast a tenkara rod before, so between 7 and 8 am I was mostly figuring things out—tangled tippets, clumsy casts, and a fly that sank instead of floating. I also noticed the hackle collapsed once wet, losing that nice bushy look, which surprised me. Still, I focused on keeping the line off the water and giving the fly a pulsing action.

Around 8, the trout suddenly became active. It went for the fly and took it! I brought the rod close to my body and tried to bring in the line by hand toward shore… but the tippet snapped.

I tied on a new tippet and fly, and on the very next cast, the trout took again! Sadly, the same thing happened—snapped tippet during the landing.

Even though I didn’t land the fish, I really enjoyed the experience. When the sun rose above the trees and started warming me, surrounded by insects buzzing and birds singing, alone in the tall grass with my rod in hand, I felt totally at peace.

My only concern is that I couldn’t remove the hook from the trout’s mouth. It was a barbless hook, catch-and-release style—do you think there’s a chance it came out on its own?

Also, for a trout around 12–16 inches (it looked about 30–40 cm), is 5X nylon tippet too light? That’s what came in my starter kit, but maybe it’s not ideal for fish that size?

Thanks for any advice—and for being part of this inspiring community.

[David D]

Even though I didn’t land the fish, I really enjoyed the experience.

It’s the best.

A study using field trials and tagged fish looked into the best way to deal with a partially swallowed hook for bass and found that it was better to leave the hook in than to remove it, as the hook usually eventually dislodges.

I don’t know if the study 1:1 translates to trout but given your hook is small and barbless, it’ll probably be fine.

Fish can get overstressed from the fight and die though.  In catch and release it’s important to get them in asap, kept in the water if possible, and quickly released.

Have fun, and tight lines!

[solitone]

That’s exactly why I tried to land it as fast as I could.

Some people say you should work the fish and tire it out before landing — and sure, that probably makes it easier to catch — but it doesn’t really feel right from the fish’s perspective, if you plan to release it.

[Alex Wallace]

5x tippet should be fine for trout that size. Did you notice if the break happened at one of the knots? Might be the type of knot or possibly damaged, kinked, etc. tippet.

[David D]

The only reason to work the fish longer is to not snap the line.  The solution that’s healthier for the fish is stronger line.  If you’re snapping line on a quick landing, you need stronger line or to tire out the fish (not so good)

Of course a huge fish will still dictate a long battle but for most fish, stronger line and quick landing is the best for them

There’s a bigger risk of them spitting the hook right at the landing site because they’re not gassed out, but I don’t care, that’s doing me a favour

[solitone]

The first break definitely happened at the line-to-tippet knot. The second time I’m not completely sure, but it might’ve been the tippet-to-fly knot that failed.

I have to admit—I didn’t wet either the line or the tippet before tightening the knots. I didn’t think it was necessary with nylon… but I see now that it probably is! I’ll make sure to do that next time.

[Axel J]

One disadvantage of Tenkara is there is no drag so if a big fish makes sudden hard moves, the knot or tippet material could fail. With drag such movements would be absorbed by the reel. Tippet material can  also age and become brittle so on your next outing try a fresh spool.

I have seen fish with multiple lures on their lips so I would say mortality from that is low, the hook will eventually rust out. Mortality goes way up by handing the fish.

[jscott]

I sometimes wonder if catching trout ‘for sport” and then releasing them isn’t more of a way to comfort the conscience of the fisherman than a way to help the well being of the fish. Catch a fish and eat it. Otherwise, leave them alone and find another recreation.

(the author ducks his head. Oh and leave the ducks alone too!)

[Ryan Jordan]

Even though I didn’t land the fish, I really enjoyed the experience.

Another tenkara addict in the making!

I’ve been a fly fisherman for … 45 years now. Since 2009, I’ve *only* used tenkara. I started then, and never looked back – even for my big fish addiction (steelhead).

Remote alpine lakes and tenkara may be my single favorite thing to do in the backcountry.

I do my best to play fish fast, keep fish in the water, use barbless hooks, and either hemostats or a Ketchum Release hook remover (my preference). It saves stress on the fish – and your fingers. I’ve grabbed a fly to remove it from a fish, had the fish shake its head, and then the point of the hook enters my finger. Or worse, right through the top of a fingernail (yep, a few times).

I fish less for sport now and more for food, but will release the trout when regulations demand it. I caught a few dozen Greenback Cutthroats last week in high lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park, and lifted this one out of the water for a few seconds for a quick snap, because it was especially pretty.

Most photos, however, I prefer to keep the fish in the water.

[solitone]

This time I managed to catch it 😊

It felt great to finally land the fish after that first experience — thanks to everyone here for the tips and encouragement!

 

[Tom K]

“Catch a fish and eat it. Otherwise, leave them alone and find another recreation.”

My sentiments exactly, and I’ll happily take half the heat off you for saying so.  :0)

[David D]

Solitone, congrats on your first catch!

[jscott]

Just to be clear: I grew up fly fishing in PNW rivers and streams. I had a lot of fish swallow my hook deep into their throats. Trying to unhook them was a nightmare. It would be a complex surgical procedure if it happened to me. I’m no doctor. I know that I’ve released fish that would soon die back into waters. But I’m clumsy and knowing that, gave up the sport.

[Nick Gatel]

“Catch a fish and eat it. Otherwise, leave them alone and find another recreation.”

My sentiments exactly, and I’ll happily take half the heat off you for saying so.  :0)

Agree.

 

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