Shenandoah Brookies

by John
(Mclean,Virginia)

Have been using Nissin Pro Spec 320 for fishing stocked streams in Virginia during the spring and summer. Learned Tenkara by following Chris on TenkaraBum.com and Youtube videos; got my graduation when I caught 4 rainbows in 15 mins out of a pool where a bait/spin fisherman was trying to fish for the past 1 hr. He came over and demanded that I was using something illegal; allowed him to inspect my rod and flies (used the Anthony Naples Brown Hackle Peacock). He wasn't too happy and his buddy who had heard of Tenkara insisted that Tenakara fishing was illegal in Virginia. Had to finally drive down to the nearest ranger station (was fishing in a national forest) and let him decide; ranger had never heard of Tenkara but said that all fishing gear was allowed and there was nothing illegal in the way I was fishing.

Have been itching to go out again and couldn't wait for the fall stocking; decided to go for brook trout fishing in Shenandoah. It was amazing and don't know why I neglected them, they fight harder, not a soul around just you the stream and nature. Used dry flies this time and it was a blast watching the fish attack them as soon as they land. Cant wait to go hiking again and find a new stream in the mountains!

Thanks Chris for the amazing info on the website and helping others get into Tenkara!

“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.