Winter Tenkara Fishing at Whitewater State Park, SE Minnesota

by Paul Tronnes
(Rochester, MN, USA)

12/26/15. Between the snow and sleet, I was lucky enough today to try out my new TenkaraBum 36. My destination was Whitewater State Park in SE Minnesota, one of a few places in Minnesota open year round for trout fishing. It's a popular place for fly fishing, and gets a lot of pressure even at this time of the year. I usually manage to catch fish, which I credit to the tenkara rod's suitability for targeting small riffles and runs with pinpoint casts, drag free drifts, and immediate hook sets. Most anglers tend to focus on the longer runs and pools. Of course tenkara works there as well, but I greatly enjoy the ability to target waters maybe overlooked by others. The first fish I caught came out of a swift flowing current of water just 1-2 feet wide along the opposite bank. Casting bead head nymphs with a light line was accurate and effortless. The rod was sensitive enough to detect the slightest of strikes, with enough backbone to lead a 10-12" fish out of a 3-4' deep pool, across the current, and over to the bank where I could land it. Within a week of ordering my rod, I was able to get out and enjoy today's success. Thank you for the outstanding service. I'm new to fly fishing in general, having started on tenkara last fall. The information available on this website has been invaluable.

“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!