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Just returned from a week backpacking trip to the Uintas (Naturalist Basin and Rock Creek Basin), and spent many hours with both my regular fly rod and a Tenkara rod. Tenkara is a great option for backpacking because it is super lightweight (4 oz. total), simple to rig, and takes up very little space.
I put on a foam hopper and everyone in my group took a turn using the Tenkara rod, and everyone caught a lot of fish. With a 13.5’ rod, we could cast out about 30’ from shore which was plenty to target trout circulating around the lake looking for a meal.
Next time backpacking, I will likely just take the Tenkara rod because its technique matches up well with the small, clear lakes of the Uintas.
Other than a spool of tippet material, this is all you need to fly fish the back country.
[inline "Tenkara Rod.jpg"]
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Dang that sounds like fun, I gotta give Tankara a try I use to work with a guy who Tankara's makes it sound like a blast.
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I spent most of my time with the Helios since everyone wanted to use the Tenkara. We were above timberline so few trees to worry about, and it was a blast to wet wade out into those shallow lakes and site cast to rising brookies and graylings. Made me improve my presentation because they would spook at the slightest shadow or splash. Good times.
I'll be at Washington Lake on Thur - Sat teaching Boy Scouts how to fly fish [crazy]
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Nice! Thinking Strawberry Wed. I wonder, Tenkara from a Pontoon????[laugh][laugh]
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A shot of the flies, and fly rod huh. Where are the shots from Naturalist Basin and such? Post them up, 1 pic is worth a 1,000 words.
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Yeah the photo I posted is a literal "cheap shot." The guys with the cameras have yet to send me the photos, but the fish and the scenery were beautiful. Naturalist Basin could be done as a very long day hike, but 5-6 lakes in the area, an overnight would be more fun.
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You need to add some CDC fuzzy flies to that box. They are fun to skitter on the surface while sprawled out on the rocks. And, probably a few Tenkara nymphs.
Tenkara and 2 handers!!
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I would really love to get a tenkara rod. If your doing rivers isn't it basically euro nymphing? Is it all feel or does the line have some sort of indicator?
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It's a variation of Euro Nymphing and you can use a colored leader as an indicator; however, since there is little or no slack between rod and fly, I've felt most strikes on the very sensitive rod. I really like it for stream fishing and am anxious to try Tenkara nymphing while floating the Green.
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That would be fun on the green! I can think of several spots on the Provo and weber that would be fun for a tenkara rod. I saw a few rods on the tenkara USA site. Any reccomendations on a beginner rod?
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Do a google search for "tenkara guides" (a local group). They have tons if information and tips. One of the guys (Erik) won the Green River single fly competition a few years ago using Tenkara.
The rod in the photo is for backpacking -- most have cork handles. I leave the set up in my trunk as you never know when you'll have a few minutes and some sweet water to throw a fly.
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