Why We Don’t Use Leaders in Tenkara
Tenkara USA is launching a new line. Not a new product “line”, but an actual “line”. It’s tapered nylon which is a departure from from their traditional offering of fluorocarbon level lines and furled tapered lines. They’re made by Fujino (one of the industry’s most trusted brands) and will be available in various lengths under the the Tenkara USA branding and design guidance. I’ve been testing two: a 14′ 9″ and an 11′ 6″, and both are excellent.
As someone who fishes primarily level lines, switching to a tapered one always makes me feel superhuman. With the sheer mass of a taper behind your turnover, casting seems effortless; and these lines don’t disappoint.
Presentation
The reason level lines work so well with tenkara is because even the lightest fluorocarbon has enough mass to load even the most delicate actions of the typically soft tips of tenkara rods. The mass is distributed evenly, but it’s still off the tip. Yet, that doesn’t mean the turnover will be smooth. With a tapered line, you not only get a similar mass transfer, but you also get the benefit of the line “working for you”. And since it’s nylon (which is more delicate than fluorocarbon or a braided or furled leader), you get the benefit of mass to make casting easier or defeat the wind while still being able to make a delicate presentation. It’s the best of both worlds.
Visibility
Furled lines are usually pretty easy to see since they’re thicker. But level lines can pull disappearing acts on you since they’re typically translucent. This line is opaque, and even at the thin tip section, it is easy to track for strike detection.
Connectivity
The line comes with a built-in (Kevlar?) loop for an easy girth-hitch connection to the lilian. While you don’t have to use this, I like it. It’s a much more convenient way to attach your line than the typical level line connection.
Caveats
Like any nylon or fluorocarbon line, these do have memory so you’ll need to straighten them out before hitting the water. That’s just par for the course if you’re using anything other than a braided or furled line. And, unlike level line which comes on a big spool and is relatively cheap, remember that cutting into the line repeatedly means (at some point) affecting the taper. So if you want to preserve the action, I’d recommend being judicious with snipping off the tip section. It might even be a good idea to add a tippet ring or an extender just to ensure its longevity.
So, where can I get one?
The lines won’t officially be available until tomorrow ( June 13th 2016), but I thought I’d give you a heads up on it. If you give one a try, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. More info will be available at Tenkara USA soon.
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One question, they put a loop in for the lillian attachment, why not put a loop in for the tippet attachment? Though, I’m used to putting a figure-8 knot in and tying on tippet above that with a improved Davey or other knot. But this sounds quite interesting, especially for casting in wind (not a fan of the metal line). And it might be useful for some of those big foam bugs I started pitching for bluegills. Are those the only two lengths? Ok, that was two questions. Thanks!
Hi Lynn,
I don’t know about which lengths will ultimately be offered but maybe I can answer your other question. When using a level line, the most common attachment is to use a stopper knot on the line and then a slip knot to attach it to the tippet. If you think about it, even though this is a tapered line, in all actuality, it’s basically a “level line” at the business end. So, it makes sense. Having said that, you have the luxury of using your attachment of choice: slip knot, loop-to-loop, or tippet ring. It’s open to interpretation.
A question. Since this is a fujino line is it a brand new line or comparable to the lines that are already available? I am looking for a line that is lighter then the blue tenkara line from fujino but heavier then their green midi tenkara tapered line. Is this new line that one line that i am looking for?
Chris, same as the soft. Give it a try and I think you’ll like it.
Thanks for the review Jason.
An update to readers of your blog, the line will become available to the public on June 20th. We are giving a chance for our dealers to get some before then.
I expect to get a shipment in today with this line before heading up into the mountains of WNC tomorrow morning to give this a try. I’ve just gotten into the sport this year and thus far have fished only with level lines, be very interested to feel the difference with a line that has a bit more weight to it. Been a few times that even in a light breeze I find it hard to get the fly where I’m meaning to, but allot of that is also surely lack of experience.
Thanks for keeping up with this website. It’s been a tremendous resource for someone like myself that doesn’t have any traditional fly fishing experience.
Thanks for this review. I’m a novice caster so I ordered one from TUSA and tried it out last weekend. Seemed to be much easier to cast than the level line I was using.
Jason, I am pretty new to tenkara fishing, but not to fly fishing. I read a lot about the newest rods out and articles about people catching carp, and other larger game fish on tenkara rods. I have to admit, I am cheap. I have read and viewed videos about the cheap Chinese telescopic rods. I also must admit I have a few of them. My understanding is tenkara has been around hundreds of years and started from fisherman fishing the small mountain creeks and streams, using bamboo rods. I have to think that today’s cheap carbon fiber rods with the technology of today has to be superior to the bamboo rods that these fisherman used years ago. And from the sounds of people using the rods of today are in search of larger fish then the fisherman were catching years ago. So my thought is that the cheaper carbon fiber rods today must still be way better then the rods that were used in the beginning of tenkara stages. And I understand that everyone wants any advantage that you can get. And even the the materials that are used in the lines today must be superior. Or they probably wouldn’t be used today. My whole point is that I got into tenkara fishing because of its simplicity and low cost. I have never used a rod that costs over a hundred bucks, but I still catch fish. So is all the hype worth the experience?