I'm sure it has been clear to everyone that I have been winding down the TenkaraBum and Finesse-Fishing sites for a while now. There is very little left in stock - just three tenkara rods and some lines on the TenkaraBum site and just five spinning rods, some lines and some ultralight spinners and spoons on the Finesse-Fishing site.

I will be taking a step closer to retirement beginning November 11. I will be away from the shop for a month. Not a fishing trip, not a business trip, not a vacation. Instead, more of a temporary or "practice" retirement. While I am away, you can purchase anything that is in stock but it won't get shipped until December 11 or shortly thereafter. If you are quick, I can ship items on November 9 and 10.

While I am away from the shop I will not be able to sell any replacement parts that may be in stock but not on the website, and will not be able to order any parts that are not in stock. If you need a replacement part, I would suggest contacting Keiichi Okushi, who owns Tenkara-ya in Japan. Google can find the email address for you.

I do not plan on even reading emails, let alone answering them. There are a number of other fine tenkara shops in the US who can answer urgent questions or provide immediate shipment for any gear you may need right away.

I will be back, but until then, take care (and don't break anything).

Tippet Pouch

by Phillip Dobson
(Montana )

I think I've found my complete minimalist system. At the core is the BW Tippet Pouch, but I've made a few modifications.

The first addition was a camera strap from Goodwill. It's comfy, stays put, and most importantly is long enough for cross body carry. I don't like things in front of me, so I swing the bag behind when I'm actually fishing. I wrapped the stock straps with their swivels around the main straps. I can easily slide them up or down, and they keep everything securely attached.

I also added a glasses pouch and a cinch strap for rod carry. This is perfect for longer walks. I put the tip cap in the pouch when I'm fishing.

The system easily carries a few line spools, tippet, a fly box, and some streamside tools. The elastic strap on the front holds a bottle of floatant conveniently upside down. Just make sure to strap it to something else, as it can fall out if you are trying to outrun a thunderstorm. I pack one of a couple Morrell fly boxes, depending on the type of fishing I expect to do.

I like this system a lot more than a normal lanyard or vest. Vests are way too bulky for my taste. If I need that much stuff, I'll bring a backpack. Lanyards, on the other hand, don't carry extra flies and line without having them swing around awkwardly. With the improved tippet pouch, I have everything I need for a few hours of fishing

Another modification that I had to do was to the velcro strap in the back. It's a little long, so it attached itself to my shirt nonstop. I didn't want to cut it off, just in case I wanted to overstuff the pouch. Instead, I just attached a rectangle of material that I cut out of a really crappy beer coozy. The protects me from the velcro, but keeps the easy to grab extra length.

“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.

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. Pay attention to 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!