Tenkara vs. Fly Fishing

by Jimi Fly
(Warrensburg, MO)

jimi fly

It's no contest.
There is no question.

If you are using a fly, it is fly fishing........even if you're dapping or high sticking. If you're using bait, it's bait fishing..........even if its a fly rod or a tenkara rod or a tanago rod. Bait fishing is bait fishing regardless of the rod you are using and in turn fly fishing is fly fishing even if you are using a giant Walmart crappie pole and simply dapping. If you are using bait or a fly and no pole it is hand line fishing. If you are using an actual dead or alive fly on any kind of pole then I will assume you are using bait thereby you are bait fishing. I am a fly fisherman even when I am using a 7 foot rod because I tied that fly that is going to catch those fish.

If you are using a hook with nothing on it, well that is a whole different debate.

Jimi Fly
Jimihathaway@wordpress.com

P.S. If you are using a Blue Fly well then you must know Chris and I bet you are catching fish!

Return to Your Tenkara Stories.

“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.

Warning:

The hooks are sharp.
The coffee's hot.
The fish are slippery when wet.

Beware of the Dogma

Seriously, all the hooks sold on TenkaraBum.com, whether packaged as loose hooks or incorporated into flies, are 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!