Keiryu Trip

by Jared K
(Colorado)

This weekend was my first attempt at keiryu fishing. At first, I was throwing the nymphs off every few casts because I was trying to cast the keiryu rig like a tenkara level line. Then I started casting with more of a lob or arc, and had much better success keeping the nymphs in place. I caught a few browns and 1 rainbow, so I know it works!

It was a lot of fun searching for stonefly and mayfly nymphs and not having to change flies to figure out what the fish were eating. My setup was a Daiwa Sagiri 39mc with an Owner 4.5 m keiryu rig and one bb shot. The rig was probably a little too long for my rod, but I didn't want to cut it down since I plan on using it on my Suntech Sukei 44 next. I think I will be keeping it rigged up and in my pack so it's ready to go anytime I want to switch from tenkara to keiryu. That's one of the many things I like about these rods, its easy to carry more than one with me!

I was impressed with how easy it was to see the yarn markers and it helped detect subtle strikes. The only downside I could see was having to reach into the cold water to get a nymph every time, I would like to get one of those wooden Japanese bait boxes, but I haven't seen any for sale lately. Please let me know if you know where I can get one.

“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.