- Posts
Tenkara on the JMT. I took my Backpackinglight Hane rod, a spool of tippet, a spare line, forceps and a box of flies. We crossed numerous mountain streams and sauntered by lots of lakes in the High Sierras. I first fished on day 5 in Lyell Canyon after supper. I caught 4 brown trout and 2 brookies in less than 30 minutes. I was using a Royal Wulff (this was the first time I had ever caught fish on this fly). During the day we were trying make miles so we passed meandering mead<span class=”text_exposed_show”>ow stream and beautiful lakes that I didn’t fish. Usually after supper I’d fish for a while in a small brush choked stream we were camping beside. After day 5 all I caught were cutthroat trout. I used three flies; the Royal Wluff, a Parachute Adams and an Elk Hair Caddis. The next to last day I caught 4 cutthroats at lunch and put the skillet and olive oil I had carried for over 200 miles to good use.
</span>
sounds Awesome Thomas. Can you share some photos? Cutthroat trout are not abundant along the JMT…especially in streams. I am guessing they were mostly rainbows.
A video I made a couple years back that includes a lot of fishing with Tenkara. I was using a 13′ Fountainhead rod, though.
I will be hiking the JMT in July 2018. How do you guys carry your tenkara rod set up? Right now, I put everything in a Ziploc freezer bag. Do you keep everything together or “package” the rod separate from the flies, line, etc.
If I’m going to fish a lot, I carry a little DIY fly bag that hangs around my neck and holds everything for quick fly changes. Then I put my tenkara rod in a side pocket of the pack. Those things are pretty stout, never had any issues with it not being in the case. Whole set up is less then 8 oz. If I don’t think there will be fishing, I’ll still throw my rod in with line and some flies which is 3 oz.
As Megan suggests, put your rod in a side pocket they are durable. And if it is rigged with line, tippet, and fly, you’re ready for that first cast in just the time it takes to remove your pack and extend the rod.
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.