Tenkara – Japanese Fly Fishing

I was browsing the New York Times when I came across an article about Japanese style fly fishing. Naturally, I wondered what the differences might be between the techniques we use for fly fishing and that used apparently traditionally in Japan. In reality, it seems very close to what we would call “dappling” or “dapping flies.”

A very long rod is used but no reel is attached the rod. Instead, a length of line a bit longer than the length of the rod is tied directly to the tip of the rod.  Tippet material is then attached to the line, and of course, a fly to the end of the tippet.

Although this is style of fly fishing is referred to as “Japanese,” in effect it’s probably not that much different than what Izaak Walton practiced.  However today, there are specialty rods available and that have a tip made of a braided material. It is to this braided material that the line is attached to.

An American company, Tenkara USA offers these rods which are all telescoping.  They bill Tenkara Fishing as an “ideal method for stream fly-fishing” and suggest it “is perfect for those in search of a pure, effective and simpler method of fly-fishing.”

Personally, I have a dislike for telescoping rods.  But admittedly, I haven’t tried any that are distributed by Tenkara USA, and that sell for between $140.00 and $170.00.

Their website is located here.

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