Gear Review - DVD Tying Tenkara Flies, Volume 1

I guess I am bit late with this review since I got a copy of this DVD at the Tenkara Summit a month ago (wow, already a month?!) and there is already a number of reviews out there. But that should not be a reason for me not to review it and not let you know what I think of it.

The DVD "Tying Tenkara Flies, Volume 1" was produced by Learn Tenkara's Brian Flemming (that's the guy who has been working on the feature-length documentary about tenkara in the US that is STILL not done yet) and co-produced by Ashley Valentine of LearnTenkara.com and inventor of the Punk Rock Sakasa Kebari which is also featured on the DVD, tied by Chris Stewart, the Tenkarabum.

The DVD is 2.5h long and features 17 patterns tied by no other than Dr. Hisao Ishigaki (Ishigaki Kebari), Daniel Galhard of TenkaraUSA (Amano Kebari) and Chris Stewart of Tenkarabum.com (Killer Bug, CDC & Elk, Sakakibara Sakasa Kebari and others). The content is very insight full and does not only show you in great detail and awesome quality how to tie the featured flies but also gives you an idea that each tenkara angler or tyer has a different approach and philosophy with which most of us can relate and learn from in one way or the other. A bonus is that this is not a fly tying only DVD but it also contains footage of the all 3 fishing with their flies as well as underwater impressions of the flies tied. There are also guest appearances of Rob Worthing and Erik Ostrander of TenkaraGuides.com and tenkara angler Dennis Galyardt.

The production value is very high, I don't think I have seen another fly fishing/tying DVD of similar quality. Whether you are a tenkara newbie or a seasoned pro, this DVD is a must have for your personal tenkara library. I am looking forward to see what Volume 2 will feature!

This DVD is a 'must have' for your personal tenkara and fly fishing/fly tying library. It is available for purchase for around $25 at LearnTenkara, Tenkarabum and TenkaraUSA.

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with LeanTenkara or its staff (Brian Flemming and Ashley Valentine)  nor did I receive any compensation to review the DVD Tying Tenkara Flies Volume 1. However, I received the DVD free of charge as part of a press kit for review. 

Amago - on the water

Last Sunday I was able to take my new Amago from TenkaraUSA for a first spin. I chose the South Platte River downstream of Deckers, around the junction of Pine Creek - a stretch I am most familiar with.

It was another beatiful day in Colorado with blue skies and temps in the 50ies in the morning warming up to mid 80ies in the afternoon and it was fairly windy with some gusts.

Most of what I thought of the Amago casting in my back yard (see previous post) turned out also to be true on the water. I was surprised how much heavier the rod feels compared to my Iwana 12ft. Much of this I am sure is the added lenght, but also the butt sections seems to be a bit wider. The difference in weight is less than one ounce but at the end of the day you might think it's more. My arm was significatly more tired compared to a full day's fishing with the Iwana 12ft, but this is also attributable to the added wind resistance of the longer rod while casting into the wind for most of the day. Also, I fished only with one line, a 13ft tapered furled line. Another line choice would have made a difference and should be tested soon (I hope).

I do like the added reach and ability to fight bigger fish with more confidence than the Iwana, the fish I caught during the day were all in the 13-14 inch range and the Amage was more than able to deal with those spunky trout.

I also tried to be true to Tenkara and fished with an Ishigaki Kebari - Adams

but after noticing huge moth like bugs (October Caddis?) the size of my thumb fluttering around, I switched to a CDC & Elk that proved to be the right choice.

My favorite is still the Iwana, but the go to rod for the big guns in the river is definitively the Amago. I am looking forward to fish it some more, with different line setups and see how it goes.