Tenkara TalkTenkara Talk
Tenkara Talk
a tenkara fly fishing blog
Search TenkaraTalk
  • Home
  • Tenkara Gear
    • Tenkara Rods
    • Tenkara Lines
    • Flies
    • Line Holders & Spools
    • Fly Boxes
    • Nets
    • Packs, Organization & Storage
    • Clothing & Accessories
    • Wading Gear
  • How-To & Resources
    • What is Tenkara?
    • Tenkara 101
    • Presentation Techniques
    • Streamcraft
    • Tenkara Videos
    • Fly Tying
    • Knots
    • DIY & Hacks
    • Warmwater Tenkara
    • Books & Media
  • News & Fun
    • Trip Reports
    • Interviews
    • Philosophy
    • Humor
    • Art
    • Tenkara News
    • Events
  • Tenkara Links
  • About Me
  • Contact
FacebookTwitterYouTubePinterestInstagram
  • Home
  • Tenkara Gear
    • Tenkara Rods
    • Tenkara Lines
    • Flies
    • Line Holders & Spools
    • Fly Boxes
    • Nets
    • Packs, Organization & Storage
    • Clothing & Accessories
    • Wading Gear
  • How-To & Resources
    • What is Tenkara?
    • Tenkara 101
    • Presentation Techniques
    • Streamcraft
    • Tenkara Videos
    • Fly Tying
    • Knots
    • DIY & Hacks
    • Warmwater Tenkara
    • Books & Media
  • News & Fun
    • Trip Reports
    • Interviews
    • Philosophy
    • Humor
    • Art
    • Tenkara News
    • Events
  • Tenkara Links
  • About Me
  • Contact

Tenkara vs. Cane Pole Fishing

January 18, 201329 CommentsTenkara 101By Jason Klass

Tenkara

Rod:  Long telescopic rod with tapers specifically designed to cast a light line without weight

Line:  Level fluorocarbon or tapered furled nylon monofilament, thread, fluorocarbon, or horsehair.

Terminal Tackle:  None

Lure:  Artificial fly

Delivery:  Overhand cast, bow & arrow cast, roll cast, side arm cast, steeple cast, etc. (Same casts as in fly fishing)

Presentation:  Dead drift, wet fly swing, pause & drift, pulsating, etc. (Same as in fly fishing)

Approach:  Read water, and strategically position oneself for the best presentation.  Keep moving and seek out fish in different lies

Cane Pole Fishing

Rod: Long rod (either telescopic or jointed cane) designed to lob weight (or not designed at all in the case of actual cane)

Line: Usually nylon monofilament

Terminal Tackle: Hook, weights, bobber

Lure: Natural or synthetic bait

Delivery: Lob or flip bait into water and let it sink

Presentation:  Let live bait swim or let dead bait sit. Watch bobber for signs of a strike. Adjust depth of bait if necessary.

Approach: Typically stationary: sit & wait for fish to take bait.

Tenkara is not cane pole fishing!

how is tenkara different from cane pole fishingtenkaratenkara cane pole fishingtenkara fishing
About the author

Jason Klass

Jason is an avid fly angler and backpacker. As a former fly fishing guide originally from Western New York, he moved to Colorado and became an early adopter of tenkara which perfectly suited the small, high altitude streams and lakes there. He has not fished a Western-style fly rod for trout since.

Like this article? You might also like these ...
Advantages of tying your own flies
5 Good Reasons to Tie Your Own Flies
February 4, 2020
How to Attach Tippet to a Tenkara Level Line
How to Tie Tippet to a Tenkara Level Line
February 17, 2019
How to Attach Any Line to a Tenkara Rod
How to Tie ANY Line to a Tenkara Rod
December 15, 2018
Tenkara Casting vs. Western Fly Fishing
Western vs. Tenkara: Presentation Efficiency
November 6, 2018
Tenkara Fishing
How to Avoid Wind Drag in Tenkara Presentations
October 19, 2018
tenkara
6 Things That Will Frustrate You About Tenkara (And What To Do About It)
May 13, 2017
29 Comments
  1. January 18, 2013 at 10:42 am
    Davide

    oh… I like this 😀

  2. January 18, 2013 at 11:06 am
    Vlad

    Each of the types of fishing needs its own hardware.. But I liked your: “Tenkara is not cane pole fishing!” 🙂

  3. January 18, 2013 at 12:44 pm
    Chris "Kiwi" Kuhlow

    Personally, for those those especially obstinate people who refuse to get the difference I propose a different method of instruction. I would wack them upside their head with a tenkara and then a cane poll and ask them if they felt a difference. I find that generally the people who continue to call it cane pole fishing are the people who will ALWAYS call it cane pole fishing no matter what you say to them.

  4. January 18, 2013 at 2:41 pm
    Anthony Naples

    I’m ready to embrace the cane pole fishin’ idea. The question I have is this – if they insist on calling it cane pole fishin’ and it works really well – then doesn’t that mean that all of their gear can be replaced with a cane pole? Who’s the sucker? You know what I mean?

  5. January 18, 2013 at 2:52 pm
    Jason Klass

    Hi Chirs,
    True. But it’s no to convince them that I posted this. It’s to allow those who are more open minded to do their own research and come to their own conclusion without only hearing one side of the story.

  6. January 18, 2013 at 3:40 pm
    Chris "Kiwi" Kuhlow

    Jason…Fair enough. I guess my statement is more geared towards the frustration I sometimes feel when the person I’m dealing with is a devotee of western fly fishing who is probably trying to get under my skin and is not necessarily open-minded. For the record…I try to explain the difference in a civilized manner before having to fight the urge to whip someone with a cane pole.

  7. January 18, 2013 at 4:03 pm
    Jason Klass

    Chris, LOL. I’ve had the same feeling, but then I catch myself and realize I’m crazy. A tenkara rod tube would work much better.

  8. January 18, 2013 at 5:16 pm
    Craig

    But what if I were to use a Tenkara rod tube filled with concrete?

  9. January 18, 2013 at 5:17 pm
    Jason Klass

    Touche.

  10. January 18, 2013 at 5:42 pm
    Lynn David

    People who are enamored of the technology in their hand and their skill in using that are those who necessarily seek to denigrate other forms of fishing. Honestly, I don’t think they get the spirit of what fishing is. The sport is a continuum of styles and mediums not just in the now but throughout time. Even here, to state that tenkara uses, for instance, “telescopic rod with tapers specifically designed to cast a light line without weight,” denies the past when for a humble Japanese fisherman, tenkara meant substantially different technology than in use today. Technology if employed today some might deny is tenkara.

    If I cut a 12 foot willow switch, tied a line to it and affixed a fly, would it be anything substantially different than tenkara? Would I be denied the right to fish a Colorado fly-fishing-only water? A degree of pride is fine and it’s what gives us that satisfaction for any job well done, including our fishing endeavors. But when it comes to denying either the efficacy or enjoyment of another in the continuum that is sportfishing, that pride holds no place of importance let alone meaning.

  11. January 18, 2013 at 6:04 pm
    Jason Klass

    Hi Lynn,
    I see what you’re saying but I think I’m pointing out differences here that are beyond just technology. I also site technique, presentation, approach, the lure, etc. Admittedly, there is nothing “traditional” about using carbon rods and fluorocarbon lines but there are so many fundamental differences between cane pole fishing and tenkara that to equate the two is just plain illogical. And for me, it’s not a matter of pride. It’s a matter of clarity.

  12. January 18, 2013 at 8:41 pm
    kebarer

    tenkara is tenkara,cane pole is cane pole,you’re right and
    we who read your blog know that.
    people who call CPF for tenkara don’t know about tenkara
    and also about CPF,and they might not try or try to know
    tenkara ever.
    they just enjoy make you sick and it succeeded.

    I wish your sick is cured.
    and if you know about Jps bate fishing method(for the river),
    you may be not so irritated.it’s not play of the children.

    fishing is for enjoying. peace.

  13. January 18, 2013 at 10:54 pm
    Chris Stewart

    Pesca mosca Valsesiana (the Italian fishing style so similar to tenkara that one could argue they are essentially the same) is cane pole horsehair line reverse hackled fly fishing at its finest. http://www.moscavalsesiana.it/

    I would argue that it’s the technique, not the equipment that should be the differentiation between fishing styles.

  14. January 19, 2013 at 3:17 am
    Gerardo García

    Yo también creía que era sólo la técnica,pero después de usar -por necesidad-primeramente la caña de pescar,y luego cuando fué posible una caña diseñada para Tenkara,la diferencia fué notable.Gran post.Muchas gracias.

  15. January 19, 2013 at 9:43 am
    Jim Wood

    Ah! Since the late 70’s, I have used cheap cane poles with a fly at the end of 8 ft of monofilament with which very young children can catch sunfish. They just drag the fly back and forth thru the water. Works great for the active young ones.

  16. January 19, 2013 at 9:56 am
    TJ Ferreira

    Tenkara Mafia

    “But what if I were to use a Tenkara rod tube filled with concrete?”

  17. January 19, 2013 at 11:46 am
    Jason Klass

    TJ, that’s a great idea for a reality tv show. I’m calling Discovery channel right now!

  18. January 19, 2013 at 4:46 pm
    Robert Traver

    Hey Chris,
    Not to make it political, but there are people who voted for Obama not once, but twice!
    So much for getting some people to really think about what is & really what is!
    Bob T.

  19. January 19, 2013 at 5:20 pm
    Jason Klass

    Hi Chris,
    I mostly agree but you can’t discount gear entirely as technique is usually what drives gear selection. There’s some leeway but certain techniques demand specific gear to be effective.

  20. January 19, 2013 at 5:44 pm
    Jason Klass

    Gerardo,
    Sí, yo también creo que la caña correcta es mejor.

  21. January 20, 2013 at 6:17 pm
    Tom

    Thanks that needed to be said.

  22. July 19, 2013 at 5:03 am
    Ed

    I thought this was a traditional way of fishing , bamboo was the rod of choice 200 years ago because it was available. now it takes 100 bucks to do the same thing. Am I missing something ? I kinda like the idea of simple, Its not the cost of the pole its the magic that’s in it ! 47% of the people agree

  23. June 26, 2014 at 7:18 am
    Charles Allen

    Want to save some money and “Tenkara” fish? Go to Bass Pro and buy a telescoping graphite “cane pole”. Tie on a 15ft 5x tapered mono(or flouro) leader. Attach fly. You just saved yourself $250!!!! Tenkara is another flyfishing fad. Nothing more.

  24. June 26, 2014 at 4:06 pm
    mike w.

    want to save even more money and “fly” fish? go to walmart and buy an ultalight uglystik. throw on a casting bobber. attach a fly. you just saved yourself $1000!!!! flyfishing is another fishing fad. nothing more.

  25. June 26, 2014 at 5:15 pm
    Mark

    To Charles Allen: Whether tenkara is a “fad” or not, I have no idea. Since reel-less fishing has been with us for many hundreds of years (thousands?), and tenkara specifically for at least 2 hundred years in its country of origin, I hardly think it’s simply a fad.

    But even if it were a fad, I’d continue to fish my local creeks with tenkara. As a flyfisher for over 2 decades, and a tenkara-fisher for less than 2 WEEKS, I can say that the performance and ease of use of my tenkara rig on my local water is far superior to that of the many flyfishing outfits I own. On the waters I frequent, tenkara is simply SUPERIOR to my “traditional” Western fly rigs. I can (and will) someday blog about my impressions of the relative advantages (and disadvantages) of tenkara for my “brand” of fishing. But until then, I’ll continue to catch more fish in more places with my tenkara rig than I ever could with my Western outfits; Oh, and for far less money, mind you! Those are simply facts.

  26. June 26, 2014 at 6:39 pm
    Jason Klass

    Hey Mike, yep tenkara is a 500-year-old fad. It will die out just like rock n’ roll. LOL.

  27. June 26, 2014 at 7:22 pm
    Bill H.

    I have a Shakesphere “Wonderod”, 13′ long 4 sections. Could I attach a line to the end and pretend it’s a Tenkara rod? Most definately. Would I want to cast that behmoth for more than a few minutes? I think not! Can you say repetative motion injury – that sucker is heavy! Give me my Iwana any day.

  28. February 4, 2015 at 11:24 am
    Joseph

    Your thoughts on this man’s opinion?

    https://flogginwater.wordpress.com/2011/08/24/twelve-dollar-tenkara/

  29. February 4, 2015 at 2:20 pm
    Jason Klass

    Hi Joseph,

    I haven’t tried that Shakesepeare rod in particular but I have tried similar ones. The fact is, those telescopic rods aren’t designed to cast the light lines used in tenkara–they’re designed to cast weight. If you cast one of those next to a tenkara rod, you’ll notice a big difference. The argument to use cheap, telescopic crappie poles comes up over and over again and it always centers around price rather than performance. Personally, I don’t think $100 (as mentioned in the article) is a lot to spend on a rod, especially considering many premium fly rods these days go for $700 – $800 (not to mention adding the cost of the reel and line).

Leave Comment

Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>

clear formSubmit

About Me

Jason Klass is a former fly fishing guide & casting instructor based in Colorado. He was an early adopter of tenkara in the West and has been fishing the method for a variety of species since 2009. Read more >>

TenkaraTalk Sponsors
Tenkara USA   Dragontail Tenkara     TAO Tenkara   Tenkara Tanuki Tenkara Fisher
Search by Category
Send Jason an Email
Search TenkaraTalk
Tenkara Talk Archives
Tenkara + Backpacking!
Is there any other sport that goes better with tenkara than hiking and backpacking? Be sure to also check out my ultralight and DIY backpacking gear blog.

Tenkara and Backpacking
Latest Posts
  • Tenkara Book
    Tenkara Today Book Review
    November 7, 2020
  • Tenkara Tanuki Retractor
    Tenkara Tanuki Retractor
    October 28, 2020
  • Hoo Rag
    The Hoo Rag
    September 23, 2020
© 2019 | TenkaraTalk by Jason Klass | All rights reserved