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.

We've all had situations where seriously chewed up flies kept catching fish after fish after fish. It is no sin to tie flies that come off the vise looking seriously chewed up.

Seriously, all the hooks sold on TenkaraBum.com, whether packaged as loose hooks or incorporated into flies, are sharp - or as Daiichi says on their hook packages, Dangerously Sharp. Some have barbs, which make removal from skin, eyes or clothing difficult. Wear eye protection. Wear a broad-brimmed hat. If you fish with or around children, bend down all hook barbs and make sure the children wear eye protection and broad-brimmed hats. Be aware of your back cast so no one gets hooked.

Also, all the rods sold on TenkaraBum.com will conduct electricity. Do not, under any circumstances, fish during a thunder storm. Consider any fishing rod to be a lightning rod! Fishing rods can and do get hit by lightning!