Sometimes a change is gonna come

by Vern Berry
(Dallas, TX)

After loosing a bunch of flies last year to bushes and overhanging branches, even using my shortest rod, a Kiyotaki 21, I thought I’d try something new. I really wanted to catch a Guadalupe Bass. I was fishing on some private waters on Cypress Creek in Wimberley, TX. Last year I only caught one “micro” fish. This year I tried Chris’s method and used a Tenryu Rayz RZ39LL 3’-9” rod, a Shimano Cardiff CI4+ reel and Daiwa 2.5g Crusader spoon. Second cast and I had my first Guadalupe Bass! Fourth cast a nice Redbreast Sunfish. Next day, before a downpour, another larger Guadalupe Bass. This time, no lost flies!! Did loose one spoon to a sunken cypress log. All of this goes to show you, that sometimes a change of tactics/ attitude works in your favor. I won’t stop using my Tenkara, Keiryu, Seiryu rods but will keep an open mind on what equipment (rods, flies, spoons, etc.) to use. Just have fun!!

“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!