Tenkara fly-fishing.....

by RayLee, Sunday, August 17, 2025, 15:08 (12 days ago)

Any reeless anglers here ?

When the subject first came-up on the so-called social media there were many disparaging remarks re. "huck finn" cane poles and the like. Then one seasoned deep-south fly caster commented, "when you wade a small stream down here that is nothing more or less than a tunnel through a low canopy of privet hedge and bramble vines then what is the use of a reel ?"

A bit off-topic from tenkara, speaking of casting obstructing foliage....a kiddie button-pole or an ice-fishing spinning combo is even better than a fly pole in such confined situations. A casting bubble or weighted bobber allows for casting weight and a beaded nymph a foot to foot and a half below that catches most small fish that are biting.

I once went wading with an almost famous fly fisherman who had written articles and blogged etc. He had somewheres in the neighbourhood of $1,800 in gear and attire about his person. Since it was summer and about 100°F in the shade I thought the waders and flannels a bit too stiffling. Shorts and sneakers for me and a grandson's "pawpatrol" all-plastic button-pole combo. The catches, though tiny were 4 to 1 in my favour. The only way he could cast was the slow and awkward catapult method. The confining foliage wouldn't even allow a modified roll-cast.

Your thoughts ?