Hi All. Will a tenkara rod work ok for fishing on Putah? I've read that they are great nymphing rods and protect tippets very well. They seem to be gaining an almost cult like following with some people. What do you all think?
The longer rod would make casting in some of Putah's tighter quarters a little dicey. But I'm sure with some practice you'd be able to get around that limitation and the length would certainly make for better drift control.
The second and biggest issue is that in some spots these fish have plenty of room to run, and will utilize it. Small high mountain streams are one thing. Big runs where fish can shoot across a riffle into deeper water where you can't wade and follow is going to make landing some of Putah's larger and feistier fish a pain or downright unfeasible.
Thanks for the replies guys. I was hoping to get a little diverse feed back and that is exactly what you guys gave me. Although the reply of just " No. " seems a little uncalled for, and doesn't help at all with out some kind of information to go with it. Even if you just said "I think tenkara is stupid" I would at least know where your coming from. I know there are people that don't get it or have tried it and said "it's not for me" and others who enjoy it, but I'm glad to see some feed back from both sides.
I think it would be feasable to take some nice fish at Putah on a tenkara rod. After some searching around I found a site from Tenkara Guides LLC in Utah, that have been landing some huge trout and even some huge carp on tenkara and keiryu rods. One of the guys even entered into the Utah One Fly Competition with a tenkara rod and took first place with his team mates. He landed the most fish of any body except one guy who happened to be Lance Egen of the US men's team at the fly fishing world championships. If this guy can land huge fish on the Green River in Utah I think Putah is doable. The Green is huge and fish have plenty of room to run.
Otter thank you for the heads up about Creative Sports. A 23" fish at 400cfs on Putah is a great catch with any rod. I'm looking forward to hearing more about your experiences with your new rod. What rod did you choose by the way?
Edit: I had to edit this post because I just found a cool video (well cool to me anyway) Just Google "7lb brown on tenkara". Yup tenkara on Putah is very doable!
WF
-- Edited by wormfree on Saturday 2nd of February 2013 11:52:10 PM
-- Edited by wormfree on Sunday 3rd of February 2013 12:07:28 AM
If you go into Creative Sports you will see some fish caught on Putah at somewhere around 400 cfs. I talked to a few fly fishers on the Stan that fish all over with a Tenkara Rod. I asked about Putah and one guy fishes it with a Tenkara and he said not during the spawn. It is definitely possible if you think about it most of the time you hook a fish you can't really let it run very far downstream without losing it. You can see some fish about 23" at Creative Sports caught on Putah with a Tenkara rod. These were caught by the guy I talked to on the Stan. I have tried a few spots on Putah with my new rod, but think it may be better when the flows come up a bit. There is no doubt that a big soft hackle during the hydropyshe hatch always works. Had a few grabs on the creek with a BWO soft hackle. Definitely will keep you all posted on Tenkara on the creek.
I'll keep it quiet from here on out. I hope your rod's bent when I see you on the water.
No worries Cole. I left it open for a comment from everybody. I just like to see some kind of tactile feed back as to where someone stands. You actually got a bit of a chuckle out of me with your original response. Thanks for the kind wish of a bent rod. I wish you the same. WF
Otter, I like that Iwana model too. Sounds like the Iwana's are the most popular of the line up. I purchased the Iwana 12' model with some level line for myself. Gonna have some fun with this come spring time.
Not purposly trying to stur up anything, but did the flyshop tell you that the 11' Iwana is the big fish big water rod? Because if so, they gave you wrong info. If the big fish big water rod is what your wanting it is the Amago you would want most. At the flyshop just holding the two in my hand, the Amago is a substantialy bigger rod.
Went out for a tryal and picked up this one at the No. FK. American.
Cheers!!! WF
-- Edited by wormfree on Saturday 9th of February 2013 08:44:31 AM
That is a great fish! The flyshop told me the 11 footer would be the easiest transition from a regular fly rod. When I got home the Tenkara USA mini brochure says this is our rod for large rivers and large fish. It is all pretty fun!! Hooked a fish on the Yuba this weekend on a skwala dry fiy.
