Fountainhead Tenkara Fly Fishing

Tenkara Fly Lines

There are a number of different options currently available to the Tenkara Fly Fisher regarding how to string up a Tenkara outfit. Alot of opinions, and at least a fair amount of confusion. At least from my perspective, I think part of the confusion comes from the terminology. Alot of people refer to the entire "string" part of a Tenkara set up as a leader. I think just as with western fly fishing, there are several components to that "string". There is a line portion, than perhaps a leader portion, then a tippet portion. Each of those component serve a similar function to their western counterparts.

The line needs to capture and transfer energy generated at the rod tip by the caster. The leader portion (if there is one) provides a transition from the line to the tippet. The tippet adds suppleness/stealth and all the other stuff a tippet is supposed to do. (Especially in the case of Tenkara, being the weakest link)

I'm not sure it's any easier to answer the Tenkara line question, than to answer a question directed to western fly fishing - "Why doesn't everyone just use a level fly line?" There are tons of tapers developed for countless combinations of environments, situations, species, and conditions. I think by the time all is said and done, Tenkara will also have more than it's fair share of variations. No right, no wrong, no better no worst, just alot of "It depends".

Most Tenkara rods are capable and comfortable casting a variety of line types. You may find you prefer the way a certain line feels on your particular rod, or you may find that a certain certain line type best suits your style of casting and fishing.

Tenkara lines can be grouped into two general categories -

Tapered Furled Fly Lines

Level Single Strand Fly Lines

Tenkara Tapered Furled Fly Lines

Some folks prefer to fish with a tapered furled Tenkara Fly Line.

Furled Tenkara Fly Fishing lines often measure ten and a half (10 1/2) to twelve (12) feet, to which you will add a two to three foot tippet.

You can attach your tippet using a loop-to-loop, or the same type of knot you use to tie on your fly. After adding your tippet, you will end up with a Tenkara line about thirteen to fifteen feet long.

Tenkara Level Single-Strand Lines

Single-stand level lines can provide a very simple and economical option for the fixed-length-line angler.

You may also want to experiment with a length of standard fluorocarbon line in the 14 - 16 lb range as a good starting point. Different brands of fluoro offer various characteristics which may make them better suited for use. Typically a brand which tends to be stiffer works better as a fly line. Another characteristic that is important to some anglers is visibility.

Leaders and Tippets

There are a wide variety of options regarding how the Tenkara line is terminated so that a fly can be attached. Many anglers just directly attach a length of tippet material directly to the end of the tenkara line. Other anglers may used a tapered leader which then terminates with a tippet. These various options allow the angler to easily adjust the total length of line being fished to best match the environment and techniques being used.

The important thing to remember, a FIXED-length-line is a FIXED-system. One cannot apply unlimited force without having the system fail (break) at some point. You want to make sure you consciously design your tippet to be the weak link in the chain. If too heavy of tippet is used, you place your rod at risk.It is STRONGLY recommended you do not use a tippet exceeding a breaking strength of 3-4 lbs.