Why Tenkara Might Be the Easiest Way to Learn Fly Fishing
When I first started fly fishing I was honestly so confused. I walked into a fly shop in Boise and the guy asked if he could help me. There was so much stuff I had no idea where to begin so I walked out embarrassed.
Then when I discovered Tenkara it instantly clicked with me. I didn't need all of that gear to start. So I went out to the river that runs through town and caught a fish my first day. Needless to say I was hooked. Not a lot of gear, really simple to learn, and standing in the river catching trout gave my nervous system the jolt it needed.
A Simpler Start
Tenkara was developed in the mountain streams of Japan as a practical way to catch trout with minimal equipment. That simplicity makes it perfect for beginners like I was, but now that I've been using it for 15+ years, fished all over the world, and caught dozens of different species, I still use it and love it.
Here’s what makes it stand out:
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Quick setup: You can be fishing within minutes.
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Portable and lightweight: Easy to pack for hiking, camping, or travel.
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Affordable: Fewer moving parts mean lower cost and less maintenance.
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Teaches the fundamentals: Focus on casting, presentation, and reading water—core skills that carry over to all forms of fly fishing.
Learning Through Simplicity
When you remove the distractions of gear and the learning curve of more moving parts, you get to focus on rhythm and technique. tenkara helps you develop a better feel for your cast and a closer connection to the fish and the environment around you.
It’s not meant to replace fly fishing but to complement it. Many anglers discover that tenkara enhances their understanding of fly presentation and improves their confidence when they do pick up a traditional fly rod. For example a year or so after I started tenkara fishing I picked up a fly rod and understood what I needed to do, and caught fish the first day.
A More Natural Way to Fish
Tenkara brings fly fishing back to its simplest form. You slow down, observe, and engage with the water in a more mindful way. For many people (myself included), it becomes less about the gear and more about the experience itself.
If you’ve ever wanted to try fly fishing, tenkara offers a fun and rewarding way to start, and a refreshing way to reconnect with why we fish in the first place.
If you are just starting out. Check out either our Sawtooth Rod or our Sierra Rod. Those are the two best rods to start with. The difference being the Sierra is shorter and a little bit softer action, while the Sawtooth is 12 ft. and can handle a little big bigger fish.
