Kiyotaki 21

by Jimi Fly
(Warrensburg, MO)

I broke my favorite rod, a Kiyotaki 27, another case of operator error. I get so used to these little rods being so strong and forget sometimes, oops! So off to the spot with my good old Kiyotaki 21. It's short but not too short, as I can only see about 20 or so feet away anyhow.

What a great day. First cast a little pumpkinseed, then a chub, next a little bass followed by a tiny darter. I don't cast right, I'm more of a sidearm guy. I do twitch the fly, usually a size 14 sakasa, but really at this point any fly will do. I've twitched wooly buggers, copper johns and even midges and caught fish with the twitch technique. I don't get to fish for trout much but when I do I use the same method and it works.

A few months ago a girlfriend of mine asked "is that all you want to do with your life, fish?" I got to thinking and really that is all I want to do. My friends who know I fish tenkara style have gotten used to me talking about Daniel or Jason or Chris as though I know them, and in a way I feel like I do.

I've been fishing fixed line now for about 5 years and I'm feeling ready to take it to the next level. Currently, I am working on a tenkara workshop for all the locals who either don't know what the heck it is or are just tired of hearing me go on and on and want some proof. I have collected a few rods over the years and have become confident enough to show others how it's done or at least one way to do it.

I always wondered about what I might be when I grow up and while I was busy trying new things and waiting I realized that I am doing it right now. Finally at 50 years old I can tell people what I do, what I am and how I define myself, not as a janitor which is certainly a worthy job but rather as a fisherman........a tenkara fisherman.

Jimi Fly
Tenkara Fisher

“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.