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

Author Archives: Jason Klass

Tenkara Book

Tenkara Today Book Review

Since introduced to the West, tenkara has taken on many flavors. Some call it cultural appropriation. Some call it assimilation. And there are many purists who have been trying to maintain the traditions of its Japanese origin. But one thing is certain: the use of tenkara gear in the West is more diverse than in…

November 7, 20201 CommentBooks & MediaBy Jason Klass

Tenkara Tanuki Retractor

Tenkara Tanuki Retractor

Let’s face it, when it comes to fly fishing accessories, retractors (AKA “zingers”) aren’t the sexiest things. We tend to focus on rods, flies, lines, and other things that are more exciting. But when we get right down to it, we all rely on supplementary tools to help us with our streamcraft. And that so…

October 28, 20205 CommentsPacks, Organization & StorageBy Jason Klass

Hoo Rag

The Hoo Rag

30 years ago when I started fly fishing, I never thought about sun protection and COVID-19 didn’t exist. But things have obviously changed since then. With the virus and global warming ramping up, it’s especially important to protect yourself (and others) from such things. I always look to finding simple solutions to complicated problems and…

September 23, 20204 CommentsClothing & AccessoriesBy Jason Klass

Vicuna Alpaca Dubbing

Vicuña Dubbing

There’s been a lot of buzz around Vicuña dubbing lately and I was lucky enough to get a box from DRAGONTAILtenkara. I’ve probably got hundreds of packages of dubbing dating back 20+ years, but I can tell you, I really like this stuff. First of all, it’s hand-dyed alpaca wool so it’s scraggly, but still…

September 4, 20209 CommentsFly TyingBy Jason Klass

Orvis Ultralight Wading boots

Orvis Ultralight Wading Boots

I’ve been an advocate of felt wading boots for years because I don’t believe the whole theory about felt transmitting invasive species and most rubber-soled boots just don’t have a good grip in the water. But I recently got a pair of Orvis Ultralight wading boots and think they’ve made me reconsider. The problem with…

August 12, 20206 CommentsWading GearBy Jason Klass

Tenkara on the Rio Grande

Tenkara on the Rio Grande

I recently returned from a 4-day trip to the Rio Grande with my long-time friend Randy. He drove up there from Arizona and I drove down there from Denver. We both headed to Creede with high hopes. But, in fishing, the higher the hope, the easier it is to be dashed. The fishing was lackluster,…

August 11, 20207 CommentsTrip ReportsBy Jason Klass

Surviving COVID Through FLy Tying

COVID Tenkara Fly Tying

Like many of you, this pandemic has been difficult for me. I sold my house right before it started and have been house and dog sitting for some friends who were in Guatemala for a couple of months. The library of fly tying tools and materials I’ve collected over the years (including my beloved roll-top…

July 5, 20209 CommentsFly TyingBy Jason Klass

Tanuki Tenkara Pocket Ninja

Tenkara Tanuki Pocket Ninja

My experience with fly fishing gear (and gear in general) is that whenever something tries to be two things at once, it’s usually not good at either of them. Think fly/spin combos. I’ve never seen one that was both a good fly rod AND a good spin rod. It seems that there is always some…

June 17, 20204 CommentsTenkara RodsBy Jason Klass

Tenkara Podcast

Tenkara Podcast: Tenkara Masters & History of Tenkara in the U.S.

I recently did an impromptu podcast with my old friend and mentor Daniel Galhardo of Tenkara USA after we had an early-morning conversation about some ideas swirling around in our heads. Some of them may be controversial and I know some of you may not be receptive to them, but they’re the products of being…

June 4, 20206 CommentsInterviewsBy Jason Klass

Buy Tenkara Rods

Tenkara USA Launches New Online Store!

The company that introduced tenkara to the U.S. has just launched a new online store. It’s a much cleaner, faster, way to shop and helps you make a decision on which rod to get based on your area and stream type. Plus, the navigation is more intuitive and you can translate languages and pay by…

May 29, 2020Leave a commentTenkara NewsBy Jason Klass

tenkara flies

One Fly: An Experiment in Color

The following is a guest post. I almost never do them, but when someone as prominent in the tenkara community asks for one as Jason Sparks, my ears perk up and I listen. Here are a few more of his great theories on fly design and presentation … There have been several points of conversation…

March 28, 202014 CommentsFliesBy Jason Klass

Advantages of tying your own flies

5 Good Reasons to Tie Your Own Flies

Every angler new to fly fishing and tenkara will inevitably ask themselves the question, “should I learn to tie my own flies?” Usually, the impetus behind this is a perceived cost savings over buying flies. And that certainly seems like a valid reason once you peruse the prices in the fly bins of your local…

February 4, 202021 CommentsTenkara 101By Jason Klass

Tenkara Memes

Tenkara Memes Round 7

Here’s my latest batch of tenkara memes. Feel free to share the individual images, but please be cool and give me credit. To see all of my previous tenkara memes, click here. And if you’ve made some of your own memes, please post them in the comments section below.

November 2, 20193 CommentsHumorBy Jason Klass

Sources for Tenkara Fly Tying Materials

I’m often asked where I get my fly tying materials. And my answer is, “from my desk”. Over 30 years of tying, I’ve amassed a collection of materials that would make some fly shops’ inventories seem lacking. So whenever I sit down to tie, I already have all the ingredients necessary. I’ll probably never have…

October 25, 20194 CommentsFly TyingBy Jason Klass

Tenkara Flies by Jason Sparks

Jason Sparks on Tenkara Fly Tying

Being a fly tyer is part of my self-identity. I’ve often said that even if every river and ocean on Earth dried up, I would still tie flies. It’s one of my passions in life and I consider it a high art. As such, I’m always interested in learning about how other tyers practice the…

September 4, 201916 CommentsFly Tying, InterviewsBy Jason Klass

Tenkara Summit 2019

Tenkara Summit 2019

Well, I’m still “reeling” 😉 from this year’s Tenkara Summit. Usually when I cover such events, I try to put together a cohesive recap for those who couldn’t make it. But this year, it was quite intense and I’m not sure I’m up to that task. So instead, I’m just going to post a few…

July 28, 201912 CommentsEventsBy Jason Klass

Tenkara USA Ebisu

Tenkara USA Announces Reissue of Ebisu Rod

At the 2019 Tenkara Summit today, Tenkara USA made a pretty big announcement: the reissue and redesign of their discontinued Ebisu rod. The Ebisu was a favorite among many early adopters of tenkara in the West because of its soft 5:5 action and many lamented its demise. But I think many will be glad to…

July 27, 20192 CommentsTenkara RodsBy Jason Klass

FBSetImage

The Answer to Every Question in Fly Fishing

“It depends”. That’s it. In the fly shop, I probably get 100 technical questions every day. “Which size tippet should I use?” “Should I get a 5 wt. or a 6 wt.?” “What are the best flies to use right now?” And my answer is always the same: “It depends.” Because it does depend. On…

July 24, 20191 CommentPhilosophyBy Jason Klass

Tenkara Fly Box Giveaway

Non-Summiter Fly Box Giveaway

As you know, the 2019 Tenkara Summit is happening in two weeks and I know many of you regret the fact that won’t be able to make it.  So, I’m giving away a fly box filled with a dozen flies to hopefully brighten your day. All of these flies are the ones I actually fish…

July 14, 201950 CommentsTenkara Contests & GiveawaysBy Jason Klass

Tactical Tenkara Nymph Line

Why We Don’t Use Leaders in Tenkara

graphic by Anthony Naples I was struck recently by a comment I read from Chris Stewart in a Facebook group. I can’t remember the exact wording, so I’m paraphrasing. It was to the effect of, “remember in western fly fishing when we were all concerned about having a well-tapered leader? Whatever happened to that?” It might…

July 4, 20198 CommentsTenkara LinesBy Jason Klass

Reusing Fly Tying Hooks

Resurrecting Flies

Years ago, my friend told me a story about how he used to save all of his beat up flies in an old coffee can. Anything that lost its tails, had unravelled thread, or got chewed up beyond recognition went in there. He had a master plan. One day, when the can was finally full,…

July 1, 20197 CommentsFly TyingBy Jason Klass

Tenkara Tanuki Ninja Rod Review

Tenkara Tanuki Ninja Rod Review

When my friend Luong Tam of Tenkara Tanuki first told me he was designing a new rod called the “Ninja”, I have to admit I wasn’t exactly excited. I was already a fan of his Snow 325 and other rods I had cast at trade shows and didn’t see how he could really improve on…

June 28, 2019Leave a commentTenkara RodsBy Jason Klass

Tenkara Rod Grip Materials

Tenkara Rod Grips: Cork, Foam, Wood, or Other?

I remember back in maybe 2011 or 2012, there was a quite lengthy debate online regarding tenkara rod handles. It started when people began using fixed-line rods such as Keiryu and Seiryu rods for tenkara. Many of those rods didn’t have what would be considered a “grip” (the handle of the rod was just the…

June 16, 201911 CommentsTenkara RodsBy Jason Klass

Tenkara no Oni Type III Rod Review

Tenkara no Oni Type III Rod Review

If you follow this blog or my tenkara Facebook page, you’ve probably seen pictures of me holding one of four rods in my trip reports: The Oni Type I, the Tenkara USA Ito, the Oni Type III, and more recently, the Tanuki Snow 325. That’s because these are my four favorites–each with its own unique…

June 13, 20199 CommentsTenkara RodsBy Jason Klass

Tenkara on the St. Vrain

Race Against Runoff

Here in Colorado, we’re lucky that we don’t have a designated “trout season”. Legally, we can fish for trout all year round. Notice I said “legally”. That’s because we have another season that’s a de facto “off season”: runoff. Anyone who lives and fishes in the West is familiar with runoff season–that time in early…

June 5, 20195 CommentsTrip ReportsBy Jason Klass

Prevent Fly Fishing Gear Theft

Prevent Your Fishing Gear from Being Stolen!

At least once or twice a week, I get a customer in the shop who is there to replace gear that was stolen out of their car while they were fishing. Last week, I had two people in one day. One of them not only lost over $2,000 in rods and reels, but something that…

May 21, 201910 CommentsStreamcraftBy Jason Klass

Jason Klass Fishing Tenkara on the St. Vrain

Tenkara Path Spring Fly Holder Line Spool

Just a few months ago, my friend Dennis from Tenkara Path and I were sitting in a cafe in Denver looking over his latest designs for his wooden bobbin spools. At some point, he pulled out a prototype of a new line spool he was working on. If you’re familiar with Tenkara Path spools, you know…

May 19, 20196 CommentsLine Holders & SpoolsBy Jason Klass

Denver Fly Fishing Rendezvous

2019 Fly Fishing Rendezvous

It’s been pointed out to me that I’m somewhat of a hermit in the fly fishing and tenkara community. There are really only two events I attend on a regular basis: The Denver Fly Fishing Show and the Tenkara Summit. It’s not on purpose. There are plenty of tenkara events around the country I’d love…

May 5, 20195 CommentsEventsBy Jason Klass

Tenkara Memes

Tenkara Memes Round 6

While it’s OK to take tenkara seriously, sometimes we just have to step back and be able to laugh at ourselves. Here’s my 6th in my series of tenkara memes. To see all of them, click here. Enjoy and if you share any of them (as with any of my content) please be cool and…

April 27, 20193 CommentsHumorBy Jason Klass

Tenkara Fly Fishing Central Park

Stretching Lines in NYC

If you told me that one day I’d be waving a tenkara rod in the heart of Manhattan with a girl from the Dominican Republic, I would have asked you for some of whatever it was you were smoking. But that’s exactly where I found myself just a few days ago on a week-long trip…

April 26, 201914 CommentsTrip Reports, Warmwater TenkaraBy Jason Klass
12345…
678910111213141516171819
20
Next page
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