Catching and landing fish on a tenkara rod
This is footage of Masami Sakakibara demonstrating his techniques at Oni Tenkara School 2019, on the Provo River in Utah. There is a lot to be learned by watching him fish. This video shows 4 different "Catching and Landing" instances, each of which highlights fundamental techniques in practical use.
1: This is a textbook example of tenkara rod fishing. Oni targets the bank and rock pile in the lower left corner of the screen. The casts are accurate and produce a fully extended line. The drifts target specfic presentation angles in relation to the structure, and last only as long as they are "good". After the strike, Oni moves the fish into landing position inside calmer water, then gently hand lines the fish to complete the catch/release cycle.
2: Oni is working a downstream, topwater presentation into the same structure that produced the first catch. Note that the tenkara rod tip is pointed slightly upstream to maintain proper line tension and control. The fly is being held in place over a target zone and gently pulsed at the end of a drift; while the fly isn't visible, you can see this action in both the tip movement and grip manipulation. A moment after the strike you can see a definitive "set" as Oni breaks his wrist upwards, and then he sets the rod into a power curve and moves the fish.
3: Many elements of the first few videos are shown, but this fish was bigger and got advantage by shooting downstream of Oni in strong current. To keep the fish on the hook and bring it under control, Oni moves his position with the fish's as required. As he moves, he is careful to maintain the rod's power curve. He frequently alternates dropping the rod tip parallel to the water on the left or right side, giving the fish little option in formulating an escape.
4: Again, Oni has caught a trout in faster water. He checks for potential overhead snag hazards, then moves quickly to a more stable position where he can better control the situation and get clear of them. Having gained control of the line, he eases the fish into calmer water and brings it to hand very slowly. This is a great example of situational awareness being the difference between a caught fish and one that slips off the hook.
Note on using your "off-hand" to stabilize the rod:
You will often see anglers bring their off-hand up to brace and stabilize the rod against a bigger fish or tough current. It's important to only contact the rod with one finger as you use this technique, and to only lean the rod against the finger. You want to avoid "grasping" the rod - doing so changes its ability to flex so much that it may cause damage.
-Matt @ Badger
1: This is a textbook example of tenkara rod fishing. Oni targets the bank and rock pile in the lower left corner of the screen. The casts are accurate and produce a fully extended line. The drifts target specfic presentation angles in relation to the structure, and last only as long as they are "good". After the strike, Oni moves the fish into landing position inside calmer water, then gently hand lines the fish to complete the catch/release cycle.
2: Oni is working a downstream, topwater presentation into the same structure that produced the first catch. Note that the tenkara rod tip is pointed slightly upstream to maintain proper line tension and control. The fly is being held in place over a target zone and gently pulsed at the end of a drift; while the fly isn't visible, you can see this action in both the tip movement and grip manipulation. A moment after the strike you can see a definitive "set" as Oni breaks his wrist upwards, and then he sets the rod into a power curve and moves the fish.
3: Many elements of the first few videos are shown, but this fish was bigger and got advantage by shooting downstream of Oni in strong current. To keep the fish on the hook and bring it under control, Oni moves his position with the fish's as required. As he moves, he is careful to maintain the rod's power curve. He frequently alternates dropping the rod tip parallel to the water on the left or right side, giving the fish little option in formulating an escape.
4: Again, Oni has caught a trout in faster water. He checks for potential overhead snag hazards, then moves quickly to a more stable position where he can better control the situation and get clear of them. Having gained control of the line, he eases the fish into calmer water and brings it to hand very slowly. This is a great example of situational awareness being the difference between a caught fish and one that slips off the hook.
Note on using your "off-hand" to stabilize the rod:
You will often see anglers bring their off-hand up to brace and stabilize the rod against a bigger fish or tough current. It's important to only contact the rod with one finger as you use this technique, and to only lean the rod against the finger. You want to avoid "grasping" the rod - doing so changes its ability to flex so much that it may cause damage.
-Matt @ Badger
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