Wind can really be annoying when fly fishing. It can be even more troublesome if you’re using a soft tip or flex tenkara rod. A strong wind can put a substantial bend in your rod prior to you even attempting to cast it. If you can manage a decent cast,…
So much of tenkara fishing overlaps with conventional fly fishing. But despite the commonalities, there are a few differences. One of these differences is the use of the term “level line”. When fly anglers hear this term they generally think of the running line section of their fly line, or the back…
I’m not referring to a cocktail; I’m talking about your tenkara line attachment. Over the years we’ve heard numerous stories about tenkara anglers taking a cast, only to watch their entire setup and line fly through the air, into the water and downstream or down to the bottom of a lake…
About a week ago I received an email from Angling Trade Media. If you’re not familiar with the group, it “is the only independent media group in the world specifically dedicated to covering the business of fly fishing in North America and has been for the past 16 years. It’s…
Tenkara is all about simplicity but when it comes to line options it can get a little confusing. Let’s talk about the different kinds of tenkara lines that are available and how best to fish them. Generally, I like to categorize tenkara lines into 5 categories: level, furled or braided,…
Well, just about. This is a project we’ve been working on for several years now. First overseas with a wonderful manufacturer but then, we wanted to bring it home to the good ‘ole USA and our neighbors to the north in Montanta – RIO Products/Far Banks. Initially, we approached them…
I was recently asked to make a rod suggestion for beginner tenkara anglers. In fact, this question often comes up at fly fishing shows, expos, during presentations and through the Zen Tenkara Contact Us form. I always pause and hesitate to response because to properly answer this question, I feel…
Hand a fly rod to most any angler and he or she will hold it in their hand about the same way. They may grip the rod handle slightly higher or lower but generally it will resemble a “handshake” with the thumb up and the rest of the fingers and…
Once you have your tenkara rod, choosing a line is the next decision you have to make. But know you have options and these options are what helps you be prepared for almost anything. First there are several types of lines so lets quickly review them: Braided/Furled Line: These are…
