Our good friend and Tenkara devotee Mo Graham takes a look at the Discovering Tenkara DVD.
This DVD from the Discover Tenkara Team is the first of what I hope will be a collection of DVDs covering this fascinating subject. Featuring John Pearson, Dr Paul Gaskell and Dr Hisao Ishigaki, it is well shot and contains good concise information, making it a must for any beginner with enough insights for more advanced Tenkara anglers as well.
It starts with a short introduction to Tenkara and its history, then quickly gets into tactics starting with the dry fly, then explaining why the wet fly is more successful. You will have to watch the DVD to find out why!
There is a very well explained section on casting, including stealth and positioning on the river. An explanation of long line and short line fishing, including how to land fish on a long line, it's easy once you have been shown how.
The history of Kabari (flies) is explained and a variety of patterns are shown, it is striking that fly fishermen half a world apart should come up with very similar flies, still I suppose there is only so much you can do with a hook, a feather and some thread.
I found the sequences featuring Dr Ishigaki enlightening and delightful; he is highly skilful and very engaging, a person who seems to be at peace with the world and himself, he reminds me slightly of the Dalai Lama. A warning - this sort of thing is infectious.
The scene of Dr Ishigaki tying his Kabari is a classic (note to Hank Patterson and Uncle Ken – Less is More), it made me grin from ear to ear, almost a laugh out loud moment, it will have those who are fussy about their fly tying pulling their hair out.
Also included is some bonus material, I was amazed at the sequence of a fly being tied in hand then being used to hook five trout from one small pool. I should mention that all of this DVD is shot on a reservoir feeder stream in the Derbyshire Hills.
The last bonus section has caused me to watch the video six times so far and counting. It features trout taking the wet fly subsurface, you have to spot when and where. This is a definite learning tool, spot the take before it registers on the line, something to aspire to.
There will be more advanced DVD coming out covering such subjects as how to make a Tamo (landing net), Kabari tying and advanced casting techniques.
At the cost of a spool of Tenkara Level Line or less, this video is well worth the investment.
I leave you with a comment from Dr Ishigaki “Tenkara is flexible”.
By:-
http://www.discovertenkara.co.uk
Available from:-
http://www.fishonproductions.co.uk