Simplicity, effectiveness at heart of Tenkara's appeal

When I decided to invest a major portion of my time to learning the intricacies of fly fishing, I also decided I wanted to persuade others to join the fold.

I soon discovered I was wasting my time. Even when I got into broadcast journalism in the early 1960s, I learned fly fishing was only for wealthy anglers who could afford the exotic trips and gear so they could catch monster trout and saltwater species with fish names I could only find in issues of Field and Stream.

So before my late father gave me his treasured bamboo fly rod, I would daydream over the pages of fishing magazines featuring fly fishing expeditions.

With only two dimes to rub together, I decided it was time to improvise.

I scrounged around until I found a stiff, four-piece cane pole. I converted it to an ugly-looking contraption that was barely strong enough to cast a homemade chenille fly. All I had for line was an old Cortland silk line, which I affixed to the end of the pole through a tiny metal eyelet. I never caught a thing.

As the years passed, I practiced fly fishing with my low-cost gear and was able to catch a few bass and bluegills.

Fly fishing back then was a difficult concept for me to grasp because I didn't have a mentor to show me the ropes.

And then, like a lightning bolt from the clouds, the great Asian influence struck the shores of this country, and the guys with the heavy money - the ones who invest in expensive fly rods and reels - started paying attention to a rod used in a special style of angling called Tenkara.

Tenkara's existence in this country is relatively new, just 5-7 years, according to fly fishing guru Paul Melchior.

Fly fishing for some anglers can be a tad intimidating, and the Tenkara method offers to ease that pain and strain.

The vision for Tenkara USA (tenkarausa.com) was to introduce Tenkara outside of Japan, thereby opening the doors to people who like the idea of fly fishing but have always found our Western version of it too complex or expensive. The Japanese also wanted to engage experienced anglers through an undeniably effective but simpler approach to fly fishing.

So I did a little research, and while I was scanning the archives for information, the doorbell chimed, and there was a book sitting on the front stoop awaiting my inspection.

"Simple Fly Fishing" ($24.95, 2014, published by Patagonia). Its authors include noted Patagonia clothier Yvon Chouinard, Craig Mathews and Mauro Mazzo.

The book is glitzy but laid out in a grand style, with excellent photos and illustrations. And it's all about Tenkara.

Tenkara fishing, with long rods of up to 15 feet, has many champions who contend this is an easier method to get into the fly-casting business.

You will learn there is no fly reel at all with this method - just a long rod, a special fly line, leader, tippet, and fly.

Melchior tells me the Tenkara technique is not good to use for the pursuit of big fish, or for those beasts that make long runs. Melchior also noted that anglers using a Tenkara rod find it more suited for dry and nymph presentations.

One other note from Paul. Even though the Japanese have practiced this style for generations, in this country it "is not the end-all, be-all, to anglers wanting a quick entry to fly fishing," Melchior said.

But Melchior expressed some delight in noting it has caught on more than he and others expected.

It's fishing.

If you like it, use it. If not, do something else and be happy.

• Contact Mike Jackson at angler88@comcast.net, catch his radio show 7-9 a.m. Sundays on WGCO 1590-AM (live-streamed at www.1590WCGO.com) and get more content at mikejacksonoutdoors.com.