At last I was able to go fishing today with the rivers virtually unfishable I decided to fish a small pond



As you can see the pond was frozen in places yet every now and then a fish would roll, this gave me a bit of confidence
I decided to fish using a tenkara rod which is basically a telescopic fly rod without a reel. This was good as I was able to fish in the cold without handling wet fly line and getting freezing hands.
The fly I used was a small gold bead pheasant tail nymph, which was fished deep then twitched back slowly. It was not long before the first ide took the nymph.

The good thing about Ide is that they feed throughout the winter and as a coarse fish are fantastic sport. It was not long before another Ide pulled the line taught and found its way to the net.

This was a good start I was lucky to have found the fish in such conditions. I fished on moving swims the sky was getting dark and my hands were starting to get numb.
I had missed a few tugs on the line so these fish must of been feeding I just needed to connect again.
Then it happened the nymph was stopped dead in its tracks as an ide sucked it in. everything went tight as the little 11 ft tenkara rod arched over to absorb the lunges of the fish it fought well in the cold and was soon in the net.

By now I was really cold, icy rain was falling and it was getting dark. It had been a good session but it was time to go home to get warm and have a coffee!

Nice one Paul.
I've a couple of lakes around here with a few ide in them but have been reluctant to try for them as they are all much smaller than those in your lake.
May have to have a short session though if the rivers are not fishable by the weekend.
What sort of depth water were you fishing and were they tight on the deck or mid/surfce layers? Could help me locate them in my waters, fingers crossed.
What tenkara were you using?
I've a couple of cheap ones in the post ...9ft and 12ft.
Not because I think they'll be better than what I normally use but just to try something different.
They should be perfect for silver fish on the GUC but I struggle to drag myself away from the tiny overgrown brooks.
Cheers
Dee

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Hi All

I had a play with Tenkara fishing in the early winter before the snow and ice, quite liked it, as you say SD just nice to do something different.

Great fun in fast flowing water.

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Hi Dave thought that post would interest you!
I was fishing in about 6 ft of water and the ide were just on or off bottom a few were rolling under the ice but not many.
The rod I used was an 11 ft Iwana, with a level leader of .365mm flourocarbon to a .12mm (3lb tippet) then a gb pheasant tail nymph.
Flourocarbon is denser than mono and allows the fly better turnover it also sinks like a stone. This fact allowed me to fish deep quickly. Normally the leader is held off the water but I needed to be deep so I sunk most of it. Many different leaders are availible just find one that suits the situation.
Your tenkara rod is ideal for your small brook and canal just take it with you .as well they take up no room. ( the 11ft iwana folds down to only 20 inches) Tenkara rods were made for small streams, they are very accurate tools and work well.
Like you and sage says its something else to try I have been impressed with its use.
However it has its limitations it cannot cast far and a huge fish could snap you. But for close in work I dont think you will find a better rod. Hope this helps.
Sage that grayling is awesome well done!!!

Just a bit!
Apart from my post(with Peters imput too) it is the only current posting regarding attempting to catch anything other than blooody pike!
Save for a few out of season species or foreign species topics....I'm bored stupid of reading about pike tactics...don't mind fishing for them but the amount of idiots who just "diss" anyone who isn't using a ten weight!

You'll be getting stick for "pole" fishing too.

Back on track...were you moving the fly much?
I've found ide would chase a gently twitched back offering much better than roach or rudd but wondered, if with the cold, it was more static fishing.
How was the water clarity?
I used to do much beter with roach(ponds) in the coldest weather(as long as it was ice free)...the water clarity improves, as any carp semi hibernate in the freeze, and so the roach can spot your tiny nymphs. Fine line between the lakes being frozen solid or bang-on for the roach.
The rivers might be right for the weekend but now you've got me thinking about ide...just not sure how many are in the lakes I fish.
Dee

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It's not flyfishing if you're throwing bait in....learn to do it properly

Dave the fly was twitched every now and then as I slowly swept the rod to one side towards the margins. This is easily achieved using tiny flicks of the wrist as the end of a tenkara rod is as fine as the thinnest quiver tip! You will have to try different ways and speeds till they take.
Funny thing with ide I waggler fished for them in the summer using bread and the bites barely pulled the float under even though it was dotted right down. The following day I fly fished for them and they really gave a sharp pull on the fly line as I pulled the fly back, unmissable takes!
The bites were not as bold in the cold I really had to keep a tight line and concentrate hard most of the bites tightened the line and pulled the tip round slightly (like a quiver tip). As if the fly had just snagged the bottom.
Water clarity was not good muddy brown and about 8 inches visibility, but in my opinion its still good enough to fly fish. But thats me I will fly fish in most conditions and I have caught a lot of roach in coloured water.
I tried a drain and river today but blanked not even a pull, still I am not bothered it will sharpen me up for next time.
I Fish for ide as I would for roach they seem to like the same flies (hares ears and pheasant tails With a gold bead size 22 to a 14) And a fine tippet .10 to .12mm.
The problem I find is location at this time of the year they shoal up tight and can be hard to find, still its a nice walk..............

Sorry for being totally out of it, but what the hell is a "tenkara" ??

Sounds like what coarse fishermen would call a "whip" or "snatching pole" ... A pole with the smae length of line attached to the end ... am I right ?

It's very easy to form this opinion, however Tenkara rods are designed to turnover fine leaders with small flies (almost NO WEIGHT). For this reason their action is no where near as tippy as coarse fishing whips.

I have been using them for the last 12 months, they are a fantsatic river tool

Tenkara USA for more information

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Are tenkara rods only available from the USA?
The tactic sounds a fabulous and very sensitive way of fishing. Can you use furled silk leaders as your main line?
Sounds so good; no need for expensive reels or overpriced flylines!

Hi Nick.
TenkaraUSA actually ship to the UK from a UK location, despite them being based in the US, so you shouldn't have to pay import/customs charges.
I'm waiting for an 11ft Iwana from them, hopefully being delivered asap so I can try it before the rain comes again as the rivers are just about fishable here now.
Also got a 9ft Wakata coming from All fishing buy, Telescopic fishing rod, Telescopic fishing pole, Fly Fishing Rod made of Japan Carbon., just because it was so cheap...about $70 inc. postage but I'll probably get stung with the dreaded customs fees.
I wouldn't expect to see any UK stockist anytime soon, if it is a little "leftfield" they don't want to know. My last 5 rods I've had to mail order from overseas as they've been fringe interest/specialist jobs...Sage 000wt, an 11ft 2/3wt, Tenkara, etc.
Have a look at Tenkara Fishing Techniques, Rod Reviews, Lines and Flies
Plenty of advise regarding lines on there.
Leaders/lines tend to be furled leaders(long and light) or level mono(fluorocarbon) in the 12/20lb range.
I'm looking forward to spotting roach/dace takes on the fine tip.
Dee

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It's not flyfishing if you're throwing bait in....learn to do it properly