Friday, April 22, 2011
Tenkara, Japanese fly-fishing, is gaining popularity [with VIDEO]
Tenkara is a method of reel-less fly-fishing. Roanoker Kevin Kelleher helped write the only English-language book on the subject.
Sam Dean | The Roanoke Times
Kevin Kelleher fishes Little Stony Creek using a Tenkara fly rod, which does not have a reel. The Japanese form of fly-fishing is ancient, but was only recently introduced to the United States.
Kevin Kelleher is the author of the only English-language book on this fishing technique, "Tenkara: Radically Simple, Ultralight Fly Fishing." The list price is $19.95.
Sam Dean | The Roanoke Times
This wild rainbow trout from Little Stony Creek bit a nymph fished on a Tenkara fly rod.
Sam Dean | The Roanoke Times
Kevin Kelleher (left) shows Blake Evans the leader system used on Tenkara fly rods. The fishing method is best suited for smaller waters.
Photos by SAM DEAN The Roanoke Times
Kevin Kelleher fishes Little Stony Creek using a Tenkara fly rod, which does not have a reel. The Japanese form of fly-fishing is ancient, but was only recently introduced to the United States. This wild rainbow trout from Little Stony Creek bit a nymph fished on a Tenkara fly rod. Kelleher, shows Blake Evans the leader system used on Tenkara fly rods. The fishing method is best suited for smaller waters.
Mark Taylor is outdoors editor at The Roanoke Times.
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Video: Tenkara technique
Sam Dean | The Roanoke Times
Kevin Kelleher demonstrates the Tenkara method at Little Stony Creek using a Tenkara fly rod, which does not have a reel. The Japanese form of fly-fishing is ancient, but was only recently introduced to the United States. The fishing method is best suited for smaller waters.
About Tenkara
- Made primarily of carbon fiber, telescoping Tenkara rods typically range in length from 9 to 14 feet, and are available in several actions.
- The line attaches directly to the tip and is usually about the length of the rod. So, the practical fishing reach of a 12-foot Tenkara rod would be roughly 24 feet.
- The limited reach makes the tactic best suited for smaller waters, though Tenkara can be effective on larger water.
- The primary source for Tenkara equipment in this country is Tenkara USA, In addition to equipment -- rods range in price from $135 to $165 -- the site includes information about Tenkara history and techniques, and even has several videos showing Tenkara in use.
PEMBROKE -- Kevin Kelleher can process the complicated.
As a family physician of 27 years he has to.
So you might think that a guy who is intimately familiar with the complexities of human health would be comfortable with the complex in his hobbies.
And Kelleher could be, should he chose.
Take fly-fishing.
As recently as a few years ago the Roanoke County family doctor was one of those fly fishermen with a vast quiver of rods, each designed with a specific function.
His many fly boxes were packed with patterns.
And then Kelleher discovered Tenkara.
So devoted did Kelleher become to this ultrasimple fly-fishing technique, which has its roots in ancient Japan, that he rabidly searched for information about the method.
Finding little, at least little written in English, Kelleher wrote a book on the topic.
His guide, "Tenkara: Radically Simple, Ultralight Fly Fishing," was released earlier this spring.
Kelleher, who got consulting help from well-established Japanese fly-fishing expert Misako Ishimura, hopes the book can help develop awareness of the technique and help other anglers learn to enjoy the simple pleasure of fly-fishing.
"Fly-fishing is made more complicated than it should be," he said on a comfortable afternoon as he rigged up one of the outfits at Little Stony Creek in Giles County.
At first glance, Tenkara seems to have more in common with cane pole-fishing than with the graceful sport in which skilled casters whip a line back and forth before allowing a fly to land gently on the water.
Tenkara is beautiful in its simplicity. There is no reel. The line simply attaches to the top of the rod, which are telescoping and only about 20 inches long when collapsed.
In fact, Kelleher was first drawn to Tenkara fishing because he thought it ideal for backpacking trips.
He had seen a presentation on the sport by Japanese master, Dr. Hisao Ishigaki, and was talked into trying a rod by American Tenkara pioneer Dan Galhardo, founder of Tenkara USA.
During a subsequent backpacking trip to the Wind River Range in Wyoming, Kelleher was carrying a Tenkara outfit.
But he was also carrying a traditional, 5-weight fly-fishing outfit.
"I ended up taking the 5-weight out only once," said Kelleher, 56. "And that was only because I thought I should since I'd brought it along."
Kelleher was sold on this technique, which he has dubbed "less mumbo, more jumbo."
He started trying to learn everything he could about Tenkara, even joining an obscure Japanese historical society in order to access its vast written archives.
He found plenty of information, but not much in English.
"After I got a bunch of material together I thought, 'This might be a book,' " recalled Kelleher, who said his primary motivation for the book was to spread the word about the technique.
Though he has written a medical column for the local Senior News publication for 15 years, Kelleher had no other writing experience. So he didn't really know how to pitch the book to potential publishers.
"I ended up surveying my library of fly-fishing books," said Kelleher, who then sent a letter and sample chapter to the three publishing houses most represented.
All three wanted the book, and Kelleher eventually inked a deal with The Lyons Press out of Connecticut.
In addition to the writing, Kelleher did almost all of the book's illustrations.
Like the writing style, the illustrations are concise, simple, informative and inviting.
And that style is in keeping with Tenkara, which Kelleher demonstrated that evening on Little Stony Creek.
Standing on a large rock above a pool, Kelleher deftly lifted the fly and then gently whipped it toward his target, a small current seam .
Because the rod was so long -- Tenkara rods average 12 feet -- he was able to keep nearly all of the line off the water.
That can help allow for a more natural drag-free drift of the fly, which can produce more bites from finicky trout.
Dry fly presentations are well-suited for Tenkara fishing, as is fishing with wet flies. In fact, some Tenkara devotees fish only with long-hackled wet flies unique to Tenkara.
Made of carbon fiber, Tenkara rods are extremely light despite their length.
"You can fish them all day long," said Kelleher, who said many people he introduces to Tenkara become, like him, converts.
As he worked the pool at Little Stony, two anglers watched from a trail above.
During a break one of them, Blake Evans, approached.
"Are you guys fishing that Tenkara thing?" Evans asked.
Kelleher nodded, and started offering the intrigued Virginia Tech student a primer.
As Evans took the rod in his hand his eyes widened.
"That is so light," he said in amazement. "That is wild."
A few minutes later Evans was on his way, but not before saying he planned to do more looking into Tenkara.
Another convert?
Kelleher certainly hopes so.
"It's a real phenomenon," Kelleher said with a satisfied smile. "This thing seems to have legs."
