Tenkara Q&A Part 1: Tenkara Rods

Many of us understand the sense of freedom provided by fishing. But, many of us will never understand how powerful that sense of freedom was for some. Daniel talks to filmmaker Cory Shiozaki about the dark chapter of concentration camps in the US, which incarcerated over a hundred thousand American citizens. One such concentration camp was Manzanar, in the Eastern Sierra. At Manzanar, some internees risked their lives to sneak out and go fishing, possibly tenkara, in the Eastern Sierra to get some respite, and a sense of freedom and dignity not allowed to them otherwise. Fishing always brings with it a glimmer of hope. But, it can also provide a sense of freedom, and dignity, as the story behind the Manzanar Fishing Club shows us. Listen to their conversation to learn more about how human rights and fishing come together. Learn more at https://www.tenkarausa.com/myportfolio/manzanar-fishing-club/

Chris Hunt is Trout Unlimited's National Digital Director and author of Catching Yellowstone's Wild Trout: A Fly-Fishing History and Guide as well as Fly Fishing Idaho's Secret Waters. In this episode Chris will guide you through Idaho's fly-fishing landscape inspiring you to search for your tenkara in its beautiful and diverse waters. Chris is a tenkara angler, in fact one of the earliest adopters of tenkara in the US. From the South to North, East to West, Daniel and Chris talk about the ideal places for tenkara in Idaho and the fish you can catch there. From high desert landscape to the mountainous country of the Teton and Sawtooth, tenkara rods can be the ideal tool to travel and fish around the state. For more information, and for links to the items mentioned in this article, please visit: https://www.tenkarausa.com/myportfolio/tenkara-idaho-with-chris-hunt

This time Daniel talks to Jason Klass, the prolific tenkara blogger behind Tenkara Talk. They talk about the 10 years of tenkara, discuss the use of the term "tenkara masters", and more. After their conversation, Daniel also speaks his mind about our support and solidarity for the Black Lives Matter movement. After all, our mission to improve our environment is only driven by the people who will enjoy it, and they must be alive and feel safe to enjoy the environment for which we work so hard for. For more information, please visit: https://www.tenkarausa.com/myportfolio/tenkara-talk-with-jason-klass-2

Mountain streams are a beautiful refuge for anglers, and tenkara really shines in mountain stream above all other methods. Fishing mountain streams has its unique challenges, things to look for, and some techniques that can be handy to know. This episode covers all of that and more so you can make the most of your tenkara rod when you go fish mountain streams. For more information visit: https://www.tenkarausa.com/myportfolio/fish-mountain-streams

In over a decade in business we have received many questions on all aspects of tenkara. This is the first episode trying to cover as many questions as we could compile on tenkara lines, tenkara flies and more. For more information please visit: https://www.tenkarausa.com/myportfolio/questions-about-tenkara-flies-lines

Through over a decade in business we have received many questions on all aspects of tenkara. This is the first episode trying to cover as many questions as we could compile on tenkara rods. For more information visit: https://www.tenkarausa.com/myportfolio/questions-about-tenkara-rods

**Note: This is a great episode to watch a video. Please head to Tenkara USA , https://www.tenkarausa.com/myportfolio/all-about-tenkara-nets, for the full video** In this episode we cover all you need to know about tenkara nets focusing on how to make a tenkara net. The episode is our longest one, at over an hour and twenty minutes, to so help you navigate it we are including the time stamps below for your reference. Tenkara nets have some key advantages over most other nets, and they can be a lot of fun to make as well. For more information visit www.tenkarausa.com/nets • What are tenkara nets (3:10) - What are the differences between tenkara nets and other fly-fishing nets, the advantages of tenkara nets for fly-fishing, and how to use a tenkara net (4:30) - What are the best sizes for tenkara nets (6:50) - How tenkara nets are made (11:00) - The origins and history of tenkara nets (11:40) • How to make a tenkara net (starting at 17:00) - What tree to use for making tenkara nets (21:13) - How to select a branch for making your tenkara net (26:40) - Ideal handle size for a tenkara net and how to land a fish with your net (30:00) - Ideal tenkara net shape (31:50) - Wabi-sabi: tenkara nets with character (32:20) - Preventing tenkara net breakage and fixing a tenkara net (37:50) - When to collect a branch for making a tenkara net (38:40) - What tools you need to make a tenkara net (40:00) - How to shape a branch with steam (52:57) - Drying a branch to make your tenkara net (54:37) - Prevent cracks when working with wood and your tenkara net (56:13) - Splicing the joint of a tenkara net hoop (58:50) - How to finish your tenkara net: varnishes, sanding, etc (1:06:35) - How to attach the mesh bag to your tenkara net (1:15:28) - Teaser! New Tenkara USA net on the horizon! (1:19:40)

Daniel talks through his process of covering water while fly-fishing: how to approach it, tips on stealth, dealing with wind, and how to cover water to maximize opportunities to catch fish. We all think of fly-fishing as a form of meditation, but perhaps we can't (or shouldn't?) get to the water for now, so this time we are trying something different and at the end of the episode Daniel does a 5-minute guided meditation with you. For more information please visit https://www.tenkarausa.com/myportfolio/covering-water

It is important that we find a bit of serenity and peace at the moment, and tenkara fly-fishing might be just the thing to help with that. As we are asked to stay at or close to home these days, this episode focuses on encouraging you to go fishing in the waters you may have overlooked, or to find new waters within each reach to go fishing. Daniel shares a couple of tools he uses when scouting for prospective waters, and how we may have to redefine the idea of "tenkara-perfect" waters at the moment. More information and resources mentioned in this episode can be found at https://www.tenkarausa.com/myportfolio/finding-new-waters-to-fish/

I'm back! We are reviving the Tenkara Cast to keep you company during these times when social distancing becomes so important and tenkara happens to give us an easy and fun way to do that. We are facing a time of uncertainty and anxiety, but we will come out the other side, stronger. But at the moment we need to do our part and slow the spread of COVID by finding ways to socially distance for a bit, let's all do our part. Episode and more information found at: : https://www.tenkarausa.com/myportfolio/social-distancing-and-tenkara Referenced in this episode: CDC Coronavirus Page https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/index.html Tenkara USA free downloads (Tenkara Magazines and Tenkara Coloring Book): https://www.tenkarausa.com/tenkara-magazines-volumes-1-2-and-3-now-available-for-free-here/