FLYMPH FORUM

Ray I did not have the materials you used in your original, so I improvised.
He liked it.

Alan

OUTSTANDING!

Gorgeous brook trout, Alan. I got a big grin on my face, when I saw the picture. So cool!

Ray
The ostrich herl you used is it natural? The closest I had to it was gray.
I also have to get some fine wire.

Alan

Yes. I believe the ostrich plume I used is natural.

I went to work on the Middle Deschutes yesterday to test my attempts at swinging tenkara flies on a normal fly rod. Tied up several, including Ray's Ostrich and Primrose kebari. Bingo... had a great day testing several variations, all caught fish. Now if my tenkara rod will just arrive, I can get started figuring out how to make that work.
This forum has increased my enjoyment of fly fishing in so many ways. New flies, new techniques, improving my existing techniques, and general knowledge of the sport.. thanks to all you in the BOTF.

Ron,

Once you get your Tenkara rod, I strongly recommend making up one of Tom Smithwick’s furled leader for the main casting line. There is a tutorial on this site, showing the process.

LINK TO FURLED LEADER TUTORIAL HERE: viewtopic.php?f=19&t=6401

I found this set up much better for fishing, than the standard single strand of mono commonly used. The furled leader has just enough weight to still cast and control the drift on breezy days.

I’m happy to hear people are fishing this pattern. Another one of my experiments has escaped into the wild.

Ray.. I bought one of the furled lines along with the rod... Roadkill came over and showed me his collection of furled lines. My rod arrived today and I'll play with it a bit. After reading the posts on making my own furled lines, I may ultimately go there. Back in my salt water days, we made "twisted leaders" out of various strengths of mono. I used those quite a bit for fishing for reds and specs.
The furled Japanese lines are so inexpensive, its hard not to just buy them instead of making them.

On the subject of level tenkara lines...I'm wondering if anyone has tried the commercial braids. I used them exclusively on my spinning reels years ago. They have no memory, don't twist, high strength for diameter, and nearly unbreakable. I may have to experiment as I have a bunch left over from my Texas days.
Having done a little Euro nymphing with basically a level Fluorocarbon line, I can imagine cast a similar line on the Tenkara... Oh the possibilities...