Most people will say that Tenkara and Streamers don't go very well together. You can't strip line with a Tenkara rod, you can't cast long distances with a Tenkara rod, and you can't strip set with a Tenkara rod. These are all very valid/true points, but I would like to make a case why fishing streamers with a Tenkara rod is very effective and fun.
Tenkara rods give you extreme control over your fly. Having a direct and tight connection with your streamer means that you get precise placement and action of it. You can manipulate streamers differently on a Tenkara rod than you would be able to on a traditional fly rod because of this connection. With traditional rod and reel, you would cast into an area where you suspect a fish to be (or past it) and slowly strip your line to entice the fish using that movement. With a Tenkara rod, however, you aren't able to strip so you will twitch your rod to imitate the movement. It also allows you to change direction of your streamer, and go up or down very easily.
In many situations, fish that will take a streamer are not looking up. Which can allow you to get into closer casting position. Eliminating the distance you will need to cast will allow you to maintain that control over your streamer and put it within range of a fish without spooking it. A really important aspect of Tenkara fishing is being sneaky. Fish, and especially large trout are very aware of what is going on in the water, and to some extent, what is going on outside the water. It is crucial to maintain as much stealth as possible and this includes streamer fishing. But once in position you can effectively manipulate a streamer with a Tenkara rod without a fish noticing your presence. The best part about streamer fishing is when you get to see the eat. It is exhilarating watching the movement you put on your streamer and then to see a fish come over and slam it.
Swinging flies for larger fish such as steelhead or salmon is already a common practice. In these instances, you use a longer rod, normally two handed, and keep a tight connection with your fly as you swing it through a run hoping for a grab. The same can be done with a Tenkara rod but on a smaller scale because you are eliminating the two handed cast. We will save this technique for another post but the basics are: find a good looking run of water or spot some fish, standing slightly above that run of water cast your fly across the river and slightly downward, make a tight connection with your fly so you will be able to feel a connection, as your fly is drifting downstream with that tight connection simply swing it through. Repeat. We used this technique in Alaska several months ago on big salmon and it worked beautifully. The idea is that the streamer slowly drifts in front of the fishes mouth and the fish takes it. Here is a photo of a good example of this using a large streamer and the Grand Teton rod in Alaska.
One final note. Tenkara is a relatively new concept here in US so there are many different techniques and functions still being discovered and tested on a variety of different types of fisheries, with different fish, using different flies. We will be using this blog to share what we have found through our own use and trial and error and we encourage everyone reading this go out and try something new!
8 comments
Will Mundhenke
I have had success fishing streamers on the Owyhee rod. Plenty of backbone and casting ability to throw heavy clouser minnows, crayfish imitations, craft fur minnows, wooly buggers and the like to eager smallmouth, crappie, bluegill, and largemouth. I’ve actually found that the precise action and sensitivity is superior to my 7wt! Get out there and throw the heavy stuff!
I have had success fishing streamers on the Owyhee rod. Plenty of backbone and casting ability to throw heavy clouser minnows, crayfish imitations, craft fur minnows, wooly buggers and the like to eager smallmouth, crappie, bluegill, and largemouth. I’ve actually found that the precise action and sensitivity is superior to my 7wt! Get out there and throw the heavy stuff!
Glenn Leppo
I recently went to Alaska and landed many fish on my Grand Teton. The guides are always shocked at how many fish, and how big of fish I can land on my tenkara rod. This year it was big Chum Salmon, but in 2017 I also landed a small King, many sockeye, chum and a pink on my Grand Teton. I’ve lost a few 20+ pounders who ran for open water before I could load up fully, but anything below that is brought to hand much faster than a traditional rod. For fly-out to Dolly Varden and Grayling water I only use my Grand Teton. Because of the superior line control of tenkara I frequently run clean-up. Our guide on one trip said “I look back because Glenn in lagging behind. I am about to yell for him to catch up, but he is landing fish where the other three guys just fished. One time he pulled our three in 4 or 5 casts. The other guys caught nothing in the same hole.”
I recently went to Alaska and landed many fish on my Grand Teton. The guides are always shocked at how many fish, and how big of fish I can land on my tenkara rod. This year it was big Chum Salmon, but in 2017 I also landed a small King, many sockeye, chum and a pink on my Grand Teton. I’ve lost a few 20+ pounders who ran for open water before I could load up fully, but anything below that is brought to hand much faster than a traditional rod. For fly-out to Dolly Varden and Grayling water I only use my Grand Teton. Because of the superior line control of tenkara I frequently run clean-up. Our guide on one trip said “I look back because Glenn in lagging behind. I am about to yell for him to catch up, but he is landing fish where the other three guys just fished. One time he pulled our three in 4 or 5 casts. The other guys caught nothing in the same hole.”
Zoran
I have my Tenkara Rod Co setup just few seasons but I (for some reason) started thinking about fishing for steelhead. What a jerk! Please forgive me! 😬I am learning about streamers and I was wondering if you are going to start making some and offer them online? For now I am pressuring my coworker to tie some for me.
I have my Tenkara Rod Co setup just few seasons but I (for some reason) started thinking about fishing for steelhead. What a jerk! Please forgive me! 😬I am learning about streamers and I was wondering if you are going to start making some and offer them online? For now I am pressuring my coworker to tie some for me.
James Crosbie
Streamers are indeed effective on a Tenkara rod. It’s the same general concept as Spey, Skagit, OPST, etc. (The old across and downstream wetfly presentation.) Tenkara is just short line. I wish one could post pics. I have caught 22" bows with no problem, typically using Slumpbusters.
Streamers are indeed effective on a Tenkara rod. It’s the same general concept as Spey, Skagit, OPST, etc. (The old across and downstream wetfly presentation.) Tenkara is just short line. I wish one could post pics. I have caught 22" bows with no problem, typically using Slumpbusters.
Matt from Alaska
I’m curious on your set up. I’ve been looking at fishing tenkara for the bigger rainbows and some of the smaller salmon. What size streamer, tippet, etc. did you find most effective?
I’m curious on your set up. I’ve been looking at fishing tenkara for the bigger rainbows and some of the smaller salmon. What size streamer, tippet, etc. did you find most effective?
Kevin
Great article, something I’ve yet to master. Video examples above and below water would be great!
Great article, something I’ve yet to master. Video examples above and below water would be great!
Ryan
I used a woolybugger on my Tenkara Rod Co. Cascade rod this past week and caught a beautiful 14’’ brown! I didn’t know that fishing a streamer from a Tenkara rod was something you ‘could do’ but I tried what seemed to make sense based on what’s worked well on this particular creek in the past using a conventional fly outfit. It was a blast trying something just for the sake of curiosity & it totally paid off. Cheers.
I used a woolybugger on my Tenkara Rod Co. Cascade rod this past week and caught a beautiful 14’’ brown! I didn’t know that fishing a streamer from a Tenkara rod was something you ‘could do’ but I tried what seemed to make sense based on what’s worked well on this particular creek in the past using a conventional fly outfit. It was a blast trying something just for the sake of curiosity & it totally paid off. Cheers.
Ryan
I used a woolybugger on my Tenkara Rod Co. Cascade rod this past week and caught a beautiful 14’’ brown! I didn’t know that fishing a streamer from a Tenkara rod was something you ‘could do’ but I tried what seemed to make sense based on what’s worked well on this particular creek in the past using a conventional fly outfit. It was a blast trying something just for the sake of curiosity & it totally paid off. Cheers.
I used a woolybugger on my Tenkara Rod Co. Cascade rod this past week and caught a beautiful 14’’ brown! I didn’t know that fishing a streamer from a Tenkara rod was something you ‘could do’ but I tried what seemed to make sense based on what’s worked well on this particular creek in the past using a conventional fly outfit. It was a blast trying something just for the sake of curiosity & it totally paid off. Cheers.