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Re: Tenkara in the house
Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2012 8:00 am
by CM_Stewart
There don't seem to be any really old books/manuscripts that mention it. At that time it was not a leisure activity. The people in the small mountain communities fished for food or for sale, but apparently they didn't write about it.
Re: Tenkara in the house
Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2012 9:27 am
by fflutterffly
I'll find you the answer about the orig. proof of date. I'm sure the date exceeds Dame J.'s
Re: Tenkara in the house
Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2012 12:31 pm
by kanutripr
Old Hat wrote:kanutripr wrote:
Nice! I've been wrestling with the idea of getting a tenkara rod but then there's the 'boo. I'm trying to behave!!
Let us know how you're enjoying it though 'k ?!?!
Vicki
That's not an excuse. Click here.
http://www.tenkaraglobal.com/split_bamb ... lobal.html
This guy is going to be at the show I'm tying this weekend. Can't wait to check them out.
Dam! That's cruel!!!!!
Vicki
Re: Tenkara in the house
Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2012 4:19 pm
by Ruard
kanutripr wrote:Old Hat wrote:kanutripr wrote:
Nice! I've been wrestling with the idea of getting a tenkara rod but then there's the 'boo. I'm trying to behave!!
Let us know how you're enjoying it though 'k ?!?!
Vicki
That's not an excuse. Click here.
http://www.tenkaraglobal.com/split_bamb ... lobal.html
This guy is going to be at the show I'm tying this weekend. Can't wait to check them out.
Dam! That's cruel!!!!!
Vicki
Thank you for sharing, could be my next project. does anyone have the right tapering??
Greeting
Re: Tenkara in the house
Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 4:26 pm
by gig
Love Tenkara, the simplicity is just wonderful

Re: Tenkara in the house
Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 5:39 am
by flyfishwithme
fflutterffly wrote:I'll find you the answer about the orig. proof of date. I'm sure the date exceeds Dame J.'s
Mmm, my understanding is that the Tenkara style is not as old as we think. Somewhere I thought I read that is was about 200 y.o.
I would be interested in it history also.
However, I have refrained from a Tenkara pole and gone for a 9'6" 1wt rod.
Re: Tenkara in the house
Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 7:26 am
by fflutterffly
You are correct. I have read on several websites the history is about 200yr. What I find interesting is the universal shape of the flies, which they say where NOT influenced by European wet flies. Seems unlikely to me. The simplicity of the fly, the technique of fishing are all alike since, IMHO, there really isn't much one can do different when a fly is drifting down the water and your line limited.
Re: Tenkara in the house
Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 12:47 pm
by redietz
fflutterffly wrote:You are correct. I have read on several websites the history is about 200yr. What I find interesting is the universal shape of the flies, which they say where NOT influenced by European wet flies. Seems unlikely to me. The simplicity of the fly, the technique of fishing are all alike since, IMHO, there really isn't much one can do different when a fly is drifting down the water and your line limited.
Tenkara is not that old, but nor is it the only fly fishing tradition is Japan. Some are much older; the following is from wikipedia:
Another style of fishing in Japan is Ayu fishing. As written by historian Andrew Herd, in the book "The Fly", "Fly fishing became popular with Japanese peasants from the twelfth century onward...fishing was promoted to a pastime worthy of Bushi (warriors), as part of an official policy to train the Bushi's mind during peacetime."[3] This refers primarily to Ayu fishing, which commonly uses a fly as lure, uses longer rods, but there is no casting technique required, it's more similar to dapping. Ayu was practiced in the lowlands (foothills), where the Bushi resided, tenkara practiced in the mountains. Fishing flies are thought to have first originated in Japan for Ayu fishing over 430 years ago.[4] These flies were made with needles that were bent into shape and used as fishing hooks, then dressed as a fly. The rods along with fishing flies, are considered to be a traditional local craft of the Kaga region.[5]
I saw a photo of a couple of years back purported to be a Japanese fly tied in the 1600's. Interestingly, it had a bead head -- made of real gold.