by Bob McNair
(Colorado)
I am a big fan of Chris Stewart and Tenkara Bum. He has been my primary inspiration for all things Tenkara, both education and gear.
The first rod I bought after "eschewing the reel" in 2009, was the Daiwa Enshou LL36SF. Nothing like buying one of the best right from the get go. I have fished many rods since, but this one still feels like butter on the cast and "sings" with a trout on the line. I have landed many trout in the 12"-14" on this rod with great pleasure, and great bend in the rod, but the big browns on my home river, the Gunnison, are a bit much for it, so I explored Tenkara Bum for my new river rod and settled on the Daiwa Kiyose 43MF.
Right choice! After 2 trips down river this summer I have hooked several browns in the 20" range and landed several. My latest trip in my Native Watercraft kayak found me latched onto a brown sub-marine that dragged me all over the place before final netting. I un-hooked and un-netted to take a photo, but this muscle bound beast gave a mighty shrug and was gone. Too much fish for a one handed hold. Alas, no picture. Just another fish story, but it was a two fisted monster in the 22"-24" range that any Tenkara angler would be proud of. The Kiyose rocks! Thanks Chris.
My name is Bob, and I'm a Tenkara-holic!
“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.
The hooks are sharp.
The coffee's hot.
The fish are slippery when wet.
Beware of the Dogma
TenkaraBum Traveler 27
TenkaraBum Traveler 39&44
Nissin Oni Tenkara Line
Suntech Kurenai II AR Waiting list signup -
Please indicate which length