When it comes to lines, perhaps nothing is more iconic of tradition than the horse tail line. To me, its mere mention conjures images of picture-perfect days and buttery smooth casts to discerning trout worthy of a presentation with such classic tackle. In 2011, I made a few of my own. It was easy, but…
At the 2023 Denver Fly Fishing Show, I got to see some of the newer Tenkara Tanuki models in person. I recently wrote about the Headwaters 240, but the other one I was curious about was the Barebones Nymphing Rod (mostly because I wanted to see exactly what earned it its “nymphing” moniker). I was…
Adam Trahan & Jason tap into their UL hiking backgrounds and apply them to simplifying their tenkara experiences.
Since the day I first picked up a fly rod, I’ve been trying to figure out the ideal way to carry my gear. Like many, I’ve run through the gamut of vests, hip packs, chest packs, sling packs … you get it. In recent years, I’ve been using a kind of modular system with different…
Guest Karin Miller of Zen Tenkara and Jason Klass tackle the topic of how to land the fish of a lifetime without a reel!
Anyone who spends 5 minutes scanning my site would probably diagnose me with a mild case of a wooden tackle fetish: fly boxes, tying tools, line spools–basically, if it’s wood it’s good. I normally write about and carry wooden spools made by my friend Dennis from Tenkara Path. His designs have set the standard for…
“Scratch the Hatch” or “Match the Hatch”? Jason Sparks and Jason Klass explore strategies that will help you decide.
Jason’s longtime friend Dennis Vander Houwen gives us a crash course in taking tenkara beyond the stream.
Veteran Tenkara Guide Paul Vertrees gives us a glimpse behind the scenes of this most esoteric profession.
It seems like every year, there are so many new innovations in tenkara and fly fishing gear it’s hard to keep up. This year is no exception, with several leading manufacturers coming strong out of the gate with a raft of breakthrough designs employing the latest cutting-edge technologies and gynecological philosophies. It can literally take…
Tenkara Tanuki Founder Luong Tam explains exactly how and why our tenkara rods perform the way they do.
I love Umpqua tools because of their smart designs, solid construction, and comfort. The River Grip Clamp is a popular one among fly fishers and I’ve had a pair for a while in the standard 2-finger hole model. They’re great, but I’m always looking to improve streamside ergonomics and recently saw that they have a…
It’s the time of year again when “everybody’s Irish”. I must admit, though I’ve never been to Ireland nor have any heritage from the old sod, I do feel a certain affinity towards all things Irish. One of my favorite authors (Oscar Wilde) is Irish. My favorite pipes and tobaccos (Peterson and Erin go Brah)…
It’s no secret that I’m a fan of Tanuki rods. They’ve become an icon in the tenkara industry and I own several, including a Pocket Ninja, Snow 325, and Ninja. Their rods are known for being incredibly light, sensitive, and visually unique–instantly recognizable from afar. I’m also a good friend of the owner, Luong Tam,…