Why We Don’t Use Leaders in Tenkara
ATTENTION: I was inundated with orders on these and it became too time consuming so I am no longer making them. Sorry.
I posted on Facebook about a line sighter (strike indicator) that I developed specifically for tenkara and the level of interest was not surprising. One of the biggest complaints that I’ve heard from people new to tenkara is that strike detection is difficult because the line is so thin. I struggled with this problem at first too. Some have tried conventional fly fishing strike indicators but they’re a little unwieldy on a tenkara rod because of their weight and/or bulk. They’re designed for much stiffer conventional rods and much heavier lines. A better solution is to use a material that is hi-vis but light and in-line with your tenkara line so it flows with your cast instead of hampering it.
My main purpose was to come up with a lightweight indicator that would allow you to still keep your line off the water and be visible as water conditions change. You know how it is. One moment your level line is perfectly visible and you can easily see the end. But then you move upstream 20′ and there’s glare on the water. Now, your line is invisible. So I added black stripes to this detector so that you can still see it against any background or in any lighting conditions.
Features
- Approx. 8″ long–designed for level lines only–not furled
- Extremely supple material that will be in-synch with the cadence of your cast
- Bright yellow with 1″ intermittent stripes of black for when you face water glare or bright substrates
- A figure-8 knot at each end–one for the tippet and one to connect to your level line using the tenkara one knot. It’s easy to attach and easy to take off
- Comes with 4′ of 5X tippet already attached so it’s ready to fish. Just connect it to your level line and you’re ready to go!
These are hand-tied by me right here at my humble fly tying desk and I scrutinize every single one as if I were fishing it myself. If it’s not to my standards, it doesn’t go out the door,
How to Get One
Cost: $5 (includes shipping). Just send the money via PayPal to jmklass@gmail.com. You don’t need a PayPal account to do this. It’s quick and easy.
I think you’ll like this indicator. It’s an anti-chameleon. It changes instantly to different backgrounds to stand out rather than blend in. Of course, nothing is perfect and can always stand improvement. So if you get one and have suggestions for making it better, please let me know.
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Thanks Jason. Just what I’ve been needing. I’m going to order one.
BTW. Your newsletter subscription function is working great. I’ve received 2 notifications concerning your recent posts. Thanks
David
Jason, just saw your post I was fishing for a few weeks where I basically have no phone reception. Really like this, and will order one. I have, in the past used the Scientific Anglers tri-colored sighter material that I use for euro nymphing, but is too stiff for a tenkara application. Order on it’s way. Take care, and hooe this finds you wellmand healthy.
Thanks Eugene. I need your address to ship it.
Jason,
Have you tried the RIO Euro indicator line? They make it in a bunch of diameters and it works great. They come in Black/White or Chartreuse/Pink striped combos. It is nylon and in my experience it cast really well
Hi Ian,
Yes I have. The difference is my sighters are much thicker in diameter and (IMHO( easier to see.
I see your note about not making these anymore. Any chance of sharing how you make them?
“Brian Thorne
I see your note about not making these anymore. Any chance of sharing how you make them?”
+1
Hi Brian,
Well you’re the 5th person to ask me about this so I guess now I have to! Look out for a blog post on it.
I use regular fly line dacron backing (about 5 inches of flo orange and 5 inches flo green) and tie it in-line with level line using a nail knot. incredibly visible (even underwater if I need to anchor because of wind!)
my advice is to cut the tags short and carefully burn the tips of the tags so it doesn’t unravel (I burn and then pinch twist the tags)
Ai Art,
The ends are burned and I leave the tags long for a reason.
Jason, sighters work great! Come up with some more ideas!
Thanks fir the feedback Eugene! I’m always thinking of what small problems can be solved. Let me know if you have any ideas.
i too would like to know what line you were using to make these. care to share?
The line is this in 65 lb. test: https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/bass-pro-shops-xps-hyper-braid-8-fishing-line
i too would lime to know what line you were using to make these. care to share?
quick question on the black: did you use a regular Sharpie marker to make the black stripes?
Just stumbled across your website and boy I’m glad I did! I’ve been using a Tenkara for small stream fishing, No Cal, for several years and now use it more than my fly rod. One tip I’ve found is that I use 0x sighter tippet as my level line. I tie a loop on one end and a ring on the other, attach my tippet and now can guage depth while fishing. Keep up the good work sir!
Thanks for the kind words Ramon!