Guide Conversion

by Fred Church
(Little Rock, AR)

I was recently in the Taos area and set up a trip to the Cimarron with a local guide. When we met I told him that while I did bring a 3 wt. I would like to try fishing with my Tenkara rod. He told me he had used one once before and that we could certainly try it, but that we may well have to go to a Western rod.

For those not familiar with the Cimarron, it is a beautiful small stream, perfect for the Tenkara rods. After about 30 minutes of starting, he told me that what he saw me doing with Tenkara was unlike anything he had seen with these rods, or what he had done with them. He simply could not believe the ease I was laying down precise stealthy casts, and let me assure you I am no great master!!

After about an hour or so, he announced in uncertain terms, he was buying a rod that night! Seeing is truly believing! The fishing was good too, in a half day trip we caught a number of wild Browns with color to die for.

I may have caught as many or more fish with a Western style rod, but I know I would not have had as much fun, and in the end, fun is all that matters!

“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.