1st Tenkara Fish

by David Brooks
(Fair Oaks, CA)

I purchased a 12 foot Ebisu a little while ago from one of Tenkara USA's brick and morter dealers. Selecting it was fun since the Bay Area representative carries all of Tenkara USA's rods. I selected a furled line.

I took it home to try it out, and remembered a series of likely looking bluegill/bass ponds I've been meaning to explore.

I got used to the casting stroke, which is much more delicate than a traditional fly rod. Nothing happened and no fish spotted at all until the sun set. Then, I proceeded to catch a bluegill on every 2-3 casts. Some larger bass were in the area, but the bluegill weren't going to give the bass an opportunity.

I fished for an hour in the dark. No problems with snarls and I fishing close enough that I could see the fly in the moonlight. I had to cast over brush, and keep a high backcast to avoid the hill and brush behind me. No problems at all.

I was able to spot the trail out, but just barely. It was a mile back to the car, and it was a spooky walk through the oaks and large piles of river rock (remains from when the area was dredged for gold.)

It was a confidence building beginning.

“The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten” - Benjamin Franklin

"Be sure in casting, that your fly fall first into the water, for if the line fall first, it scares or frightens the fish..." -
Col. Robert Venables 1662

As age slows my pace, I will become more like the heron.