Tenkara... is it a fad

[fflutterffly]

This is an interesting question posted by Kirk Deeter, which you can view at: http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/fly ... ent-791732

I think this type of rod might be perfect for wet fly-flymphs. What is your opinion?

[narcodog]

This was discussed in the past. Since then I have been using Tenkara for s/h's, wets and nymphs. From big water, the Madison, to streams you can step across. I have two rods a 13 1/2 ft and an 11 ft they are great rods for high stickin, Leisuring lifts however you want fish them the ability to manipulate the fly is unbelievable. A fad I doubt, it.

[Kelly L.]

I don't know if it is a fad or not. Time will tell. I personally think it will be with us for quite some time.

[CM_Stewart]

Since fishing wet flies a long rod with a light line tied to the rod tip has been around for at least a couple thousand of years, and fishing a dry flies with short rod with a heavy line held on a reel has been around for only a couple hundred years, the better question is whether the reel or the dry fly is a fad.

Of those who have tried it, and experienced the fly control and drag-free drifts that are possible, very few have given it up. It won't replace fishing with a reel, particularly on big water where you need to make long casts, or for big fish that will run, but where it is appropriate it offers such distinct advantages that I am sure it is not a fad.

The people who seem to be the most negative, LK included, are casting instructors.

[willowhead]

Ya kinna did step in it qith that question Ariel........after all, it's been around a serious minute. And that alone disqualifies it as a fad. Not to even mention, that in all reality, it's fairly serious art form. Thank you very much.
The second i saw that the article was in F&S.....that told me all i needed to know............
Some reeel manufacturing company prolly paid the guy to write it.

don't get me wrong.........i'm not ASS - U - Me.....ing anything. But ya gotta admitt, it's a pretty lame question in the first place.

[Ron Eagle Elk]

I've been using a Tenkara rod since picking one up from a f0rum member. I've fished small, medium and large rivers with it and have had a blast. Truthfully, I use it to fish mostly wingless wets, but have been known to use a....dry fly once in a great while. Since this type of fishing has been around for centuries, I don't think it's a fad world wide, in certain parts of the US, possibly.

REE

[Izaak]

I lived in Japan for 10 years during the 90's and would often see tenkara fishermen on the river fishing for Ayu. I was at first amazed with their long rods and how they telescoped. Pretty nifty! So simple and yet so efficient with the long reach. Then about a year ago I stumbled across TenkaraUSA and my first thought was, "wow! that would be excellent for fishing spiders and soft hackles and such!" Glad to see that the rods are available in the U.S. now and am planning to purchase my first tenkara rod this year! I don't care if it is a fad or not!

[letumgo]

Ron - I cracked up when I saw your subliminal text above. Funny...

[Ron Eagle Elk]

Ray,

Being Admin, I didn't wanta get tossed off the site for fishing....well,....you know......dry flies.

REE

[Johnno]

I think I understand the question.... Is it a new impact for fly fishers much like double handed rods have made an impact... And east European nymphing techniques?

Both old for some. But new and exciting for others. Same can be said for tenkara...

Comes down to the way things are marketed and advertised and tenkara will be treated the same.

Put it this way.. Pick up a fly fishing mag of say 5 to 10 years vintage and see how often tenkara is mentioned. Now pick up a recent mag and see how many times the word is mentioned.... Get my drift? ( ok not quite drag free but I hope you see my point).