Only One Fish - A Sunfish At Bethany On the Tenkara Rod

Been a busy weekend so far.  Been having to make quick trips to fish..., and since Bethany is close by, been fishing Bethany Lakes often.  A few Bass were in the shallows, chased fishing flies but no strikes.  Ended with only one fish - a Sunfish on the Tenkara Rod!

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!

Cold and Windy... Managed Only One Bass Tenkara Fishing

Limited time to fish this morning... managed to make it to Bethany before the wind picked up.  No luck working the Back Pond with a BH Black Leech.  Wind picked up... and switched to the Purple Clouser Variant.  Had a little Bass take the fly!  Fun stuff....

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!

Tenkara Fishing At Night Yields a Couple Bass!

Fished Bethany Lakes this evening using the Tenkara Rod and the Purple Clouser Variant.  Worked the shallows despite the windy conditions.  Managed several strikes, a missed hookset, and two Bass landed!

Like this ease of fishing with minimal gear; made for less tangling and snags and more time fishing!  Give it a try when you get a chance!

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 Bass At Bethany Lakes On The Purple Clouser Variant

More fishing at Bethany Lakes... this time missed a Bass, and then caught two using the Purple Clouser Variant.  Tried a Surface Popper in hopes of getting some topwater action.  No luck but did get strikes immediately on the switch to the Clouser!

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!

Night Time Outing To Bethany Lands One Bass....

Late start and limited time this evening to fish.  Did make it to Bethany Lakes but well after sunset.  Worked the bank around the Main Pond with a Surface Popper with no luck; switched to an Olive Wooley Bugger and hooked a little Bass.  Only one but was still good practice flycasting in the dark!

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!

Three Bass and Two Bluegill At Bethany Lakes

Checked out Bethany Lakes this afternoon.  WIndy with a cold wind blowing made it tough flycasting.  Did manage two catch three little Bass and two Bluegill.  Used the Purple Clouser Variant, Hares Ear Nymph, and a BH Nymph!  Fun stuff,... had the polarized glasses on and noticed some 2 pound + Bass lurking in the shallows!

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 Bass and Four Bluegill At Bethany This Morning

Fished Bethany Lakes this morning for about an hour.  Caught two Bass and four Bluegill using the Purple Clouser Variant with a Flashback Copper Ribbed Hares Ear Nymph as a trailer.  Bass struck the Clouser; Bluegill struck the Nymph!

Fun stuff.... Again, used the Tenkara Rod and fished no more than 20' from the bank.  Fish are there, just not hitting aggressively.  Slow retrieve is the key.

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 Bluegill on a Purple Clouser Variant and the Tenkara Rod

Went to Bethany Lakes in the morning and caught a Bluegill and lost two Bass on a BH Olive Wooley Bugger.  Returned this evening to try out a new pattern - Purple Clouser Variant.  Used the Tenkara Rod to work the shallows and managed two land two Bluegill.  No Bass this round but did notice they were striking on the surface.  Going to come back with the Foam Rubber Spider Variant!

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 Little Bass On The Tenkara Rod....!

Went back to Bethany Lakes this evening to try for more Bass as they lurked in the shallows.  Little tougher to fish compared to the afternoon; wind had picked up so it was tougher to feel the bite.  That said, lost one Bass while bringing it ashore.  Finally managed to bring in two little Bass - 8" fingerlings!

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!

Bass Were In The Shallows!

Checked out Bethany Lakes at lunch today.  Bass were in the shallows.... Had a couple of misses but did manage to hook and land one.  Fun stuff on the Tenkara Rod!

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!

Tenkara Fishing on Squidoo

Update:  Retract the earlier statement about not being able to go fishing today.  Made a quick trip to Bethany Lakes and lucked out with two Bass.... one went 13" and the other went 15" in size!  Both hit on a BH Olive Wooley Bugger worked slowly using the Tenkara Rod!

Not able to wet a line today.... got to work and keep our day jobs.  However, it can't stop us from publishing.  So, if we can't fish, we can at least write about it!

Here is one that the Field Team put together last night.  Since we are searching for information on Tenkara Fishing, what better way to collect our findings than publishing a Squidoo Lens - Tenkara Fishing!

Check it out when you get a chance, and then give it a try!  Nothing better than fishing with the bare minimum of gear!

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"