Two Bass and a Bluegill Tenkara Fishing at Bethany Lakes.... Liking This Technique!

Checked out Bethany Lakes this evening to try the Tenkara Rod out again. Good thing... caught two Bass and a Bluegill, and then lost another Bass.

Fun stuff... really like the sensitivity of the furled line compared to the level line! Was able to feel the take and immediately set the hook.

The Bass that was lost happened after bringing it ashore... else, really liking this fishing technique.

Minimal Gear...Tenkara Fishing!

Hooked him in the upper jaw!

Click-on 2011's COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers. Also, click-on One Fishing Fly Challenge to checkout the Field Team's flyfishing informal contest. Feel free to join; it's simple!

Limited Out At Towne Lake In McKinney.... Nice Weather, Too!

Fished Towne Lake for another go at the Trout.  Trout were biting and easily limited out using Gold Superdupers and Glitter Powerbait.  Slow retrieve was the key when fishing the Superduper.  For Powerbait, minimize any drag on the bait as any weight felt resulted in dropped or stolen bait!

Observed a number of limits being taken with the Gold Superduper being the lure of choice! However, did catch several on a BH Olive Wooley Bugger; nice to know they are hitting flies, too!

Click-on 2011's COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers. Also, click-on One Fishing Fly Challenge to checkout the Field Team's flyfishing informal contest. Feel free to join; it's simple!

Caddis 12' Tenkara Rod from Fountain Head!

After several field tests trying out our "Concept Tenkara Rod", the Team decided to take the next step and purchase one.

Our "Concept Tenkara Rod" uses three of five sections of a telescoping fiberglass rod purchased while overseas several years back.  It measures nine feet and collapses to about 36".  The feel is similar to a 5 weight flyrod and can cast a level line with ease.  It is not a true Tenkara Rod but it did peak our interest in this ancient fishing technique.

Taking the next step and purchasing a Tenkara Rod was easier said than done.  As we are not all millionaires and do have real jobs to make ends meet, a search online pointed us to Tenkara USA, an importer of Japanese Tenkara Rods that cost $139 plus and more.  The Rods look really nice and we are certain their quality and "fishability" is as good as advertised.  Unfortunately, our pocketbooks said otherwise to our desire to purchase one!


So, we settled on continuing to use our "Concept Tenkara Rod" for now.  That is, until our buddy, "NucLaroche", found Fountainhead while surfing the web.

Fountainhead is an importer/seller of Tenkara Rods which range from $45 to $80 in price! Fountainhead's website is Tenkara Fly Fishing; they offer several models with the Caddis Tenkara Rod selling for $45 and $50 depending on the length you choose.

We made the purchase (of the 12' Caddis Tenkara Rod) late Wednesday, the package arrived Saturday, and today (Sunday) we went fishing with it!  .... and, it worked much better than our "Concept Tenkara Rod".  Things we liked:

• The additional length provided more control of the backcast,
• Also, it enabled more consistent and accurate placement of the fly,
• The spine has a slow bend, allowing some give when setting the hook,
• The rod collapses to 20" for ease of carry!

Tenkara Rods are primarily used for fishing small streams with small fish that tend to spook easily.  It is also takes a minimalist approach to fishing - a fly, a line, and rod!  Tenkara expands on the opportunity to catch a fish!  Give it a try when you get a chance.  We plan to use this method to work the shallows of our local ponds this Spring!


Good Luck and Good Fishing!
COAF Field Team






For more one Tenkara Fishing, checkout the sites below:

• Tenkara Fly Fish (Fountain Head Importer)
• Tenkara Yuku (Tenkara Fishing Forum)
• Tenkara USA (Importer)
• Tenkara Bum (Avid Tenkara Fisherman's Site)

Ordered the Rod late Wednesday, arrived Saturday, went fishing Sunday!


12' Caddis Tenkara Rod Arrives!



First Fish Using the Rod!



Another Fish on the Tenkarad Rod!

Trout Derby at Towne Lake... But, It's Grimaldi's Pizza Instead of Trout for Lunch Today!

Checked out one of the two Trout Derbies held in Collin County today. Went to Towne Lake in McKinney to try for a limit of Trout. A lot of people fishing, a lot of fish to be caught,... a lot of fun!

Unfortunately, was not one of the ones catching them. Had caught two on a Gold Superduper before the Derby started, then caught one right at the start of the Derby on a Gold Superduper, and then nothing on lures.

Switched to Powerbait... things started slow and then picked up with many missed hooksets. Trout were biting on Powerbait but was having a hard time hook them!

A lot of folks limited out.... Had to stop fishing early due to other commitments. That said, Trout action should be good these next few days! For now, it's Grimaldi's Pizza instead of Trout for lunch today.

PS: Make sure you have a Fishing License.... Game Wardens are out and about!

Only One Trout This Trip.... It's Grimaldi's Pizza Instead of Trout for Lunch Today!

More Tinkering With Tenkara....

It's Friday and the weather is starting to turn for the better... that is for tomorrow's Trout Derbies in Frisco and McKinney.  Should be fun for the kids, will have to stop this weekend for a chance at more Trout!

Till then, did more tinkering with Tenkara fishing things - specifically, made a line holder for the Concept Tenkara Rod and then another furled line for the Caddis Tenkara Rod that is in the mail!

Can't wait to try the furled lines, just need to break away from work, honey do's, etc....

More Tinkering With Tenkara....

Did Some Tinkering... and Made a Furled Line.

Another cold day and no fishing... Did some surfing online to learn more about Tenkara Fishing.  Really liking this method. Ended up putting an order in for a Caddis 12' Tenkara Rod from Fountainhead.   Hope to try it out in the upcoming weeks!

Did notice that furled line or a specially made level line are used when Tenkara Fishing.  So, while waiting for the new rod, decided to do some tinkering with materials on hand to make a furled line.

Had made furled leaders for Fly Fishing in the past using light mono and superglue and an electric screwdriver to twist the line. Figured the same concept would work to make a furled line for Tenkara Fishing.

Only one problem.... the electric screwdriver's battery would not take a charge.  After rummaging through the "parts bin", found an old electric motor, AA battery holder, and a metal bracket to hold the motor.  Throw in some solder and electric tape and a useable "motorized line twister" was had!

After solving the one problem, managed to make a 9' furled line that should work for the 9' "Concept Tenkara Rod".  Going to make another one later once the new Rod arrives.  Till then,....

Good Luck and Good Fishing!

Did Some Tinkering... and Made a Furled Line.

Click-on 2011's COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers. Also, click-on One Fishing Fly Challenge to checkout the Field Team's flyfishing informal contest. Feel free to join; it's simple!

A Bass and Sunfish On The "Concept Tenkara Rod"!

Decided to hit Bethany Lakes before the next cold front....  Chose the "Concept Tenkara Rod" - a Tenkara style fishing rod made using three sections of a Japanese Telescoping Rod.  Wanted to try fishing with only a rod, line, no reel, and a tandem rig of two fishing flies - a BH Leech and Nymph.

Temps were already dropping by the time we got started.  After an hour of fishing, had no strikes in the Main Pond, the Canal, the Waterfalls, and the Back Pond.  Moreover, lost the one Nymph to a snag.

Was getting ready to call it quits but "just one more cast" resulted in a Bass!  A few more casts later made for another hookup on a Bass but lost it while landing it. A few more "just one more casts" brought in a Sunfish.

Fun stuff.... liking the Tenkara style fishing!

Click-on 2011's COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers. Also, click-on One Fishing Fly Challenge to checkout the Field Team's flyfishing informal contest. Feel free to join; it's simple!

Break in the Weather, Went with the Backup Plan.... Limited Out At Prosper!

With the break in the weather decided to go with the backup plan and fish for Trout in Prosper's Whitley Place Park.  Been a couple of weeks since it was stocked and with the recent weather, fishing pressure was likely minimal.

Originally was going to hit one of the Trout Derbies in Frisco or McKinney yesterday but... recent snow and ice caused many roads to be closed. Moreover, ponds were iced over! So, the Trout Derbies have been rescheduled for next weekend.

Trout action started out good with three caught in about 20" after arriving.  Then, slowed down when the next front started rolling in.  Did manage to catch two more Trout to make a limit of five!  All were caught using Orange Powerbait.

Went with the Backup Plan.... Limited Out At Prosper!

Break in the Weather Allows Testing a "Concept Tenkara Rod"!

Been itching to try out Tenkara Fishing - a Japanese fishing technique that uses a Rod, Level Line, a Tippet, and a Fishing Fly.... and No Fly Reel!

Did a web search of "Tenkara" and found articles, videos, blogs, and a website that sells Tenkara Rods! Liked the thought of minimizing gear to catch fish.... But, was taken back by the cost of a Tenkara Rod!  So, before purchasing a Rod decided to check the Rod Bin and see if a "concept rod" could be used as a substitute.

Good thing.... way back when while overseas, had purchased a 17' telescoping rod in Japan. Bought it on a whim and used it on and off over the years. Using three of the five sections of the rod, came up with a useable 9' "Concept Tenkara Rod"!

After putting the rig together, have been wanting to try it out but have been unable given the weather.   Today though... had a break in weather and made a quick trip to Bethany Lakes to try out the Rod!

Was a tough go with all the ice and snow. But, did manage to land a little Bluegill on a BH Nymph!  Despite the cold weather and slow action, really like this technique. Very easy to walk a bank and cast to "key" areas within 20' of the shoreline.   Moreover, it takes a minimalist approach to fishing and at the same time it is still fly fishing!



Bluegill on a "Concept Tenkara Rod"!



"Concept Tenkara Rod"



Denison Dam Has Been Generating Power For Awhile.... Cold Weax Increasing Demand!

Checked out the Denison Dam Real Time Release schedule.  Looks like the cold weather has put a significant demand on power.  The Power Plant has been generating what looks like 24 hours +.  For more info and the link to the schedule, checkout our archived post from several years back - FYI - Real Time Release For Denison Dam.

Click-on 2011's COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers. Also, click-on One Fishing Fly Challenge to checkout the Field Team's flyfishing informal contest. Feel free to join; it's simple!

Two Trout Derbies Postponed.... Moved to 12 February!

The two Trout Derbies planned for Saturday, 5 February in Collin County have been postponed to 12 February due to cold weather!!!!  Should be a lot of fun for the kids and hopefully warmer... for more details checkout the links below:

• McKinney Annual Trout Derby at Towne Lake
• Frisco "Trick a Trout" Derby at the Commons

Good luck and good fishing!
COAF Field Team

Celebration Park - Bullheads and Catfish On Bread....

Decided to checkout the Catfish at Celebration Park's East Pond.  Caught a few Bullheads and one Catfish that went about 16".  Not a bad outing on a nice day!

The angle of the Catfish picture makes it look smaller than 16". Bear with us as we work on better photos....  Regardless, still fun to catch them on Bread and light tackle!

Celebration Park - Bullheads and Catfish On Bread....

Click-on 2011's COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers. Also, click-on One Fishing Fly Challenge to checkout the Field Team's flyfishing informal contest. Feel free to join; it's simple!

Limited Out At Prosper... Used a BH Leech and a "Powerbait Hook" Trailer!

Decided to fish Whitley Place Park using flyfishing gear this morning....  Had a few strikes yesterday but could not hook up with the Trout.  Used a BH Olive Wooley Bugger and Gold Ribbed Hares Ear Nymph yesterday.

Today, went with a BH Leech that we picked up from Scotty's One Stop Shop on a trip to the Blue River last year.  And then, replaced the Nymph trailer with a Size 14 Wet Fly Hook modified by adding a part of a ballpoint pen spring!

Had tried other ways to cast Powerbait using a flyfishing gear with limited success.  Today, the design -  calling it the "Powerbait Hook", allowed for normal flycasting without losing the bait!

Going to keep this one in our backpocket when all else is not working....

Limited Out At Prosper... Used a BH Leech and a "Powerbait Hook" Trailer!

Click-on 2011's COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers. Also, click-on One Fishing Fly Challenge to checkout the Field Team's flyfishing informal contest. Feel free to join; it's simple!

Whitley Place Park Still Producing Limits!

Fished Whitley Place Park in Prosper this morning.  Really nice day with comfortable temps.... Made even better by the limit of Trout caught.  Used Orange Powerbait to take them.  Did try a few fishing flies; some light strikes but no solid hook-ups.  Others were limiting out; looked like Powerbait and Corn continued to be consistent producers!

FYI:  Been getting a number of request from Readers on where the pond is located.  Checkout out yesterday's post; it provides directions to the Pond from the city of Allen.

Whitley Place Park Still Producing Limits!

Click-on 2011's COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers. Also, click-on One Fishing Fly Challenge to checkout the Field Team's flyfishing informal contest. Feel free to join; it's simple!

Directions to Whitley Place Park...

Here are directions to Whitley Place Park in Prosper for Readers interested in fishing for Rainbow Trout.  May be a chance to get a little practice in before the Trout Derbies scheduled next weekend in Frisco and McKinney! 

The pond was stocked last weekend, the city of Prosper held a Trout Derby, and fishing pressure has been heavy.... So, the action may be hit or miss.

• From the city of Allen, go North on Custer Road.
• Continue on Custer Road crossing the 121 Tollway, pass through McKinney, and cross 380.
• Continue on Custer Road and enter Prosper, pass a cemetery on the left, and then  turn left on to Wilson Creel Trail.
• Continue on Wilson Creek Trail, drive through a subdivision, and then make a left on to Whitley Place Drive.
• Cross a bridge in the subdivision and then make a right on to Glacier Point Court.

The pond with the pavillion and bridge is the one stocked with Trout.
 
Good luck and good fishing!
COAF Field Team

COAF Field Team's "Places To Fish"

For our Readers' reference, here is a Google Map on places the Team has fished over the years. The placeholders are maintained on an occasional basis, so things may have changed since wwe last posted. That said, it does show there are lots of places to fish iin the area....






View COAF Field Team's "Places To Fish"! in a larger map

Two Trout Derbies Planned for Saturday, 5 February!

While surfing online noticed that two Trout Derbies are planned for Saturday, 5 February in Collin County.  One is in Frisco and the other is in McKinney!  Should be a lot of fun for the kids... for more details checkout the links below:

• McKinney Annual Trout Derby at Towne Lake
• Frisco "Trick a Trout" Derby at the Commons

Good luck and good fishing!
COAF Field Team

What To Do With a Limit of Trout....

What to do with a limit of Trout?  Season with Salt, Pepper, and Seasoned Salt, then fry them in an iron skillet.  Ran out of propane though.  No worries, fired up the "campfire grill" and got a hot fire going in no time!

What To Do With a Limit of Trout....

Click-on 2011's COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers. Also, click-on One Fishing Fly Challenge to checkout the Field Team's flyfishing informal contest. Feel free to join; it's simple!

Trout Limit At Whitley Place Park!

Was able to try a new place that we had not been to before - Whitley Place Park in Prosper.  Limited out on Trout using Orange Powerbait.  And, caught several Sunfish and a Trout on a Gold Ribbed Hares Ear Nymph and a Bead Head Prince Nymph, respectively.  Fun time, just was not sure about the place as it is located in a subdivision.  PS: Finally caught a fish using the new fishing reel!

Click-on 2011's COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers. Also, click-on One Fishing Fly Challenge to checkout the Field Team's flyfishing informal contest. Feel free to join; it's simple!

Prosper Trout Derby Scheduled for Saturday, 22 January!

Something to think about if you are in the Collin County area.... The town of Prosper is hosting its Second Annual Trout Derby this Saturday.  Sounds like fun for the kids! For more details checkout their News Release!
 

News Release excerpt dated 1/11/2011:
The tournament, designed specifically for kids 14-and-under, starts at 9 a.m. and concludes at 11 a.m. Following the derby, adults will be able to fish, though a valid fishing license is required for those 16 years and older.


“There is no charge to enter or to view the action and parking is free. Pre-registration is not required and entrants may simply arrive at the site on the day of the tournament,” he said. Judging will occur during the tournament.

Click-on 2011's COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers. Also, click-on One Fishing Fly Challenge to checkout the Field Team's flyfishing informal contest. Feel free to join; it's simple!