Tenkara Blog

With a nod to tradition and a passion for Tenkara Americana, the Tenkara Talk Blog features hundreds of gear reviews, fly tying tutorials, DIY hacks, and presentation techniques.

Episode 6: Tenkara & Minimalism

Adam Trahan & Jason tap into their UL hiking backgrounds and apply them to simplifying their tenkara experiences.

April 29, 2023 No Comments

My New EDC: The Fishpond South Fork Wading Belt

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

April 27, 2023 9 Comments

Episode 5: Big Fish Tenkara? No Problem!

Guest Karin Miller of Zen Tenkara and Jason Klass tackle the topic of how to land the fish of a lifetime without a reel!

April 21, 2023 No Comments

Kura-san’s Wooden Tenkara Line Spool

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

April 13, 2023 3 Comments

Episode 4: Anxiety-Free Fly Selection

“Scratch the Hatch” or “Match the Hatch”? Jason Sparks and Jason Klass explore strategies that will help you decide.

April 11, 2023 5 Comments

Episode 3: Living The Tenkara Lifestyle

Jason’s longtime friend Dennis Vander Houwen gives us a crash course in taking tenkara beyond the stream.

April 9, 2023 2 Comments

Episode 2: A Day in the Life of a Tenkara Guide

Veteran Tenkara Guide Paul Vertrees gives us a glimpse behind the scenes of this most esoteric profession.

April 1, 2023 No Comments

Buyer’s Guide: Best New Gear of 2023 (April 1st Edition)

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

April 1, 2023 7 Comments

Episode 1: What Determines a Rod’s Action?

Tenkara Tanuki Founder Luong Tam explains exactly how and why our tenkara rods perform the way they do.

March 25, 2023 No Comments

Umpqua River Grip Open Clamp

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

March 17, 2023 5 Comments

The St. Patrick’s Day Kebari

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

March 15, 2023 1 Comment

Tenkara Tanuki Pocket Ninja Headwaters 240

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

March 13, 2023 1 Comment

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