I have spent a solid day fishing with Tanuki X-1 rod which is about 13' 3" or 405 cm. Just like any other days, fish always seem to stay on the other side of the bank! It would be a big challenge with a fly rod in this location, because there is a lot of different currents and boulders in between. In order to reach a few more inches further without having a line on water, I raised my arm straight and cast with my wrist. Casting with a 13' rod and fluorocarbon like #2.5 (#2.5 is a Japanese level line system and it is about 10 lb test fluorocarbon here in US) has many advantages over the other lines like tapered furled leader or floating lines. For example, #2.5 line sags less than furled lin
Shimano has published a wonderful instructional video on fishing with tenkara rods. It features Dr. Ishigaki, who is one of the most celebrated Japanese tenkara masters. I was forwarded the video by a good Japanese friend of mine. I have spent some time studying the video and would like to share my thoughts of what I have learned about tenkara casting. Backcast is the most basic cast for any fishing methods and tenkara is no exception. Backcast with tenkara rod is a no brainer for fly fishers, but having the fly land on water first before the line will need some practice. Unlike holding the grip like a fly fisher would do with a fly rod, most of tenkara fishers prefer holding the rod grip wi
