Catching Salmon on a Tenkara Rod! (Tenkara Fly Fishing)

In this video I head to a small creek in the mountains to try to catch some kokanee salmon!
Here's the video of me tying this fly: • Tying the Infamous Pin...
** Check out the FlyTyingYarn.com store! flytyingyarn.com/ **
DATE FILMED: September 2020
LOCATION: Idaho
GEAR USED
** SEE MORE INFO ABOUT MY FLIES AND GEAR HERE: tenkaraaddict.com/gear/
** ROD: Dragontail Nirvana 400
** LINES: 13-foot level line (#3.5) with a few feet of tippet
** FLY: Infamous Pink Worm variations
** NET: Medium Measure Net with rubberized net
OTHER LINKS
** Instagram (@TenkaraAddict): / tenkaraaddict
** My main KZbin channel (SUVRVing): / suvrving
** My other store: KamchatkaGear.com
#tenkara #fishing #flyfishing

[@TenkaraAddict]

Thanks for watching! Here's the link to my fly tying video for the Infamous Pink Worm: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pISQmpimi8-Wf5I

[@robertkemp622]

It's frustrating to watch your ineptitude with the net. For almost a year I have resisted commenting on it, thinking that you would improve your technique. But you're not learning! You keep jabbing the net bottom-side up at the fish! You should dip the net below water with the rim-side up, then use the line to maneuver the fish over the net rim. That works 100% of the time, and you'll stop losing fish right at the net. Sorry to criticize but it frustrating to watch.

[@durveshchury9076]

I hope you land more fish with this., you can use a circle hook for salmon fishing this will eliminate snagging the fish. For other trout species you can use any small wide gape or octopus hooks.

[@jenkinsbrigade9862]

At the 4:45 mark, you can clearly see a redd (nest) on the far side of the stream next to the overhanging willows (excellent cover for spawning fish). The redd is indicated by the overturned gravel, which is gray compared to the surrounding brownish gravel (which is tinted by microscopic diatoms). It is important for fishermen and hikers to recognize these spawning-season features, so that they don't unknowingly tread on the eggs that will be catchable-sized fish in two years.

[@SamTheFishNerd]

Dude! You need more subscribers!!! Your content is SOOOO Good!

[@TenkaraAddict]

Thanks Sam 👍

[@michaelsmith7193]

Wow, what an adventure this was! Gorgeous fish and stream (as always) - many thanks!

[@TenkaraAddict]

Thanks for watching, Michael!

[@derryjones1029]

My new favourite fishing show this is good stuff👍

[@geoffreymilke5176]

Great video! I like how gentle you are with the fish yet still give us a good look at them. "Fish on"

[@koslund11]

You had me laughing when you were begging to catch the first salmon. I've been in the same situation a number of times. Thanks for sharing.

[@clydeshope6942]

Another awesome video well done some really nice fish

[@Howwerelivingfishing]

Just bought my first tenkara setup can’t wait to try it out

[@zarvelda9679]

Wow this was an amazing video buddy! Definitely in my top 3 of yours if not my absolute favorite. I love seeing things about species we don't have in appalachia, and this was right up my alley. Also I'm about to start tenkara thanks to your videos!

[@TenkaraAddict]

Thanks, I'm glad you liked it! And welcome to the world of tenkara 😁

[@elihuff9572]

so cool seeing the fish in the water before you catch them!

[@retirednavy8720]

I grew up in CO and we used to catch lots of these. Since they die after they spawn the state encourages people to take them. They are really good smoked. Biggest one I ever got was a little over 24 inches long and weighed 5 lbs 10 oz on a certified scale. At that time he missed being the state record by 2 oz but the record is well over 6 lbs now. That koke is one of the few fish I have had mounted and I seriously doubt I ever get one bigger.

[@islamicsalami7208]

Oh man, the despair in your voice when you lose those fish! We've all been there but it's what keeps us coming back for more. New to the channel, love the content. Tight lines ya'll!

[@johnd5643]

Love your videos and your enthusiasm. I’m a traditional fly fisherman, and this video reinforced my belief that as interesting as Tenkara might look, I don’t think I could ever do it. The prospect of having to grab my line in order to land a fish because I have no reel is more than I think I could handle. But it’s very enjoyable watching someone who loves it so much fight the good fight! And the places you go make me salivate.

[@TenkaraAddict]

Thanks John! I'm not trying to convert anyone; I just like to share what I'm doing. If it's not for you, it's not for you 👍

[@rockymountaintrout2689]

That's what I was thinking, I think it is fun to watch. But I dont think it can ever match with having screaming drag as you fight a 20 inch rainbow.

[@paullydca]

Thats amazing congrats on the epic catches!

[@TenkaraAddict]

Thanks Paul!

[@reggiebald2830]

Congratulations on catching those salmon! As heartbreaking as it is losing those big fish, it does my heart good knowing you mash down the barbs! Thank you!

[@andrewwayment4260]

Great video. Thanks for shout out. Glad the pink worm worked!

[@TenkaraAddict]

Lol couldn't have done it without you!

[@mrl1566]

Andy is the man. If no one else is catching he’ll figure it out.

[@mickemike2148]

Beautiful little creek!

[@K2mtp]

That is the perfect type of water I like to fish. Living in Indiana blows when I see this video.

[@farrendavis4143]

this is SO CRAZY to land this BIG OF FISH on a Tenkara rod! Almost didn't fit in the net! Great video! So much fun to watch!

[@MrGronbo]

great fishing. Well done

[@elihuff9572]

so cool. We have those salmon up here at Lake tahoe. They live super deep though. You should come up and try the creeks i have. Love the vids

[@user-yi5ek3sp1v]

Nice river, great fishing, big fish! Congratulations!!!

[@TenkaraAddict]

Thanks Vladimir!

[@kingfisherwoodturing5330]

The heartbreak at about 5:20, I felt that over here! Great video!

[@TenkaraAddict]

Lol the heartbreak was real!

[@breker19er]

That’s awesome!!!

[@marshall401]

That would be my dream day out fishing, those salmon are incredible.

[@ronaldebrownjr5622]

fun fun fun fun!!!!!!!

[@leeeng478]

Caught kokanee in Colorado they let us snag them with leaded trebble hooks, the kokes were planted for EATING and could not reproduce in the streams in Colorado they are a hybrid salmon for EATING!!!. My 2nd tag pole would be set up with salmon eggs for Rainbows and Browns.

[@steveflaim2656]

Love it!!

[@TenkaraAddict]

Thanks!

[@marklane1766]

Awesome video - thanks for taking us with you! Catching up on your videos after the holiday. Noting that you used the Nirvana rod, do you think the Shadowfire rod would have been able to handle the bigger fish? Thanks, Tristan.

[@michaelmarks9002]

Next rod will be a tenkara. Thank you for your content, sir! Im an avid fly fisherman but this looks very fun as well.

[@TenkaraAddict]

Tenkara is a blast!

[@garryharrison6505]

Great video. With all the salmon going upstream to spawn I was surprised there were no bears around to feast.

[@tmaddrummer]

Total Beauty!

[@nicholasyebra1988]

Awesome 👏

[@John-ve3gg]

I'm kinda with John Domby on catching the salmon without a reel...I've just always had a real so to get used to trying to bring it in by hand seems difficult lol. I loved the enthusiasm when you hooked that first one I caught myself yelling "ooohh!" When he came off lol! Beautiful creek, beautiful video! I've been waiting for this one or one like it when you catch your first salmon or steelhead! They are much different than trout lol! Oh and that cutthroat was a dandy! Good job awesome to see you having so much fun! Thank you for sharing your adventures!

[@TenkaraAddict]

Thanks John! I'm glad you enjoyed the video, and I appreciate you watching. And I had the same reactions as I was editing the video. I couldn't quite remember which ones I landed and which ones got off, so I was reliving the moment 😄

[@robertroth6521]

New to your channel, enjoy your videos. Torn between zDragontail & sawtooth. Dragonfly more affordable. Is there a big difference between 60-40 & 50-50

[@elmerblakemoreiii6718]

I’m a new Tenkara enthusiast, and I await your videos every week. Big thank you! What’s was going on with landing those fish today?

[@TenkaraAddict]

Shrug. You win some, you lose some lol. Could have easily gone either way. Thanks for watching.

[@andrewwayment4260]

I’ve fished this same creek with Tenkara and traditional fly rod and the truth is these salmon fight so hard, you lose more than you land. They are just scrappers. But super fun!

[@FishingCircle]

Awesome video man. I filmed a video earlier this year chasing these awesome fish. I couldn’t get a hit in the fly; nice job!!!

[@TenkaraAddict]

I saw that you had a video on it but haven't been able to watch it yet. It was tricky, for sure! Thanks for watching.

[@glenns8758]

So cool!

[@TenkaraAddict]

Had a great time! Thanks for watching.

[@markg3025]

Have you ever fished Red Fish lake in Stanley? It gets it’s name from the huge volume os salmon who come to the lake from the Pacific ocean to mate. Sadly the number os salmon is significantly diminished .

[@계곡과산천어]

Wow so beautiful salmon 6:30~

[@andrewsintel]

Man! I wanna tag up with you in Colorado and hit Cheeseman Canyon or the dream stream for a day! Great stuff

[@yoopermann7942]

have you tried to tie an egg pattern fly? it catches the other trout that are following the spawning salmon

[@davidmerriott7356]

You officially became a flosser today. They arent bitting!

[@TenkaraAddict]

👍

[@nicholasyebra1988]

Awesome

[@Thea-gj2or]

We call that flossing. With the right angle your chances of the leader coming across the fishes mouth are much better. That is why you did so good in the one spot. The right angle and the right sink. Takes some of the glory out of it but it can still be fun. I fish the lake michigan streams in the fall once in a while for the big breeders. Dave

[@driftstone]

Kokanee are actually filter feeders. Zooplankton are their primary meal. So they're tricky to catch when they're not spawning as well :D Well done, they're super pretty when they're spawned out.

[@TenkaraAddict]

Thanks Eric! They were pretty, for sure.

[@lamarwilliams185]

I plan on learning how to fish with a pole. I have done net fishing. I think it’s ok if car camping but not walking far distance. Everybody I seen had huge fishing poles for salmon. Do you think that rod could handle fish bigger than the one you have caught. I think the salmon I’m used to seeing have a grey top and a translucent underbelly. You need two hands to hold. Even the pollock look bigger then the salmon you are catching. I am looking for a good rod to travel with. I know I can make a hobo reel and be happy. I was hoping to get a spinning reel and rod to travel. Thanks for any ideas. So far my best idea is a St. croix 2 piece. If you have a better idea? I’ll appreciate it.

[@COMtnPilot]

Fun vid! Looks like someone needs a little more practice landing these fish … LMAO! Looks like a beautiful place! Solid work! 🎣

[@alexstaneski6644]

Was interested to hear your thoughts on the Nirvana 400, I had a similar experience with it. Swapped down to the Nirvana 370z and have really been liking it. Feels like a lighter more adaptable version of the same rod, you might enjoy it if you haven't already tried it!

[@TenkaraAddict]

I've heard that's a good rod. I'd like to try it out sometime. Thanks Alex!

[@markhumphrey8894]

gorgeous salmon. Prettier than the King or Atlantic Salmon that run the St. Lawrence River in NY.

[@chr970]

The st Lawrence river salmon? Come to NS buddy….. guaranteed the Atlantic Salmon in our rivers are prettier than this. Newfoundland and NewBrunswick equally as nice. ( maybe Newfoundland gets the nod).

[@jonwarner1977]

I was wondering if you would get around to kokane since you're in that part of Idaho. I never had much luck with them during the spawn but love fishing them. Seen the rivers run red around Mack's Inn and all around Island Park during the spawn. Quite a sight. Thanks for the video!

[@TenkaraAddict]

I haven't been up there for the spawn, but maybe next year. Thanks Jon!

[@garydinoso484]

@@TenkaraAddict The feeder streams into and out of Redfish Lake in Stanley are great for Kokanee during the spawn. And access is super easy. I caught and released a number of Kokanee just a few feet from my truck using Tenkara.

[@freedomdove]

5:20 mark: The fish that got away. Lol. Those salmon were huge!

[@TenkaraAddict]

Crazy, huh? Gotta go back next year and see if I can catch some bigger!

[@kennyl9419]

You fish some of the most beautiful areas.

[@TenkaraAddict]

I try!

[@fishingthesilverstate4670]

awesomeeeeee

[@TenkaraAddict]

Thanks!

[@willwailes9298]

A fly I like to use to annoy fish into reaction strikes is a spybait. It's a very simple baitfish pattern. A prop blade, a small bead, some lead wire, and some pillow stuffing dubbed and brushed out into a baitfish silhouette. I've caught some big spawning bass with them(using a tenkara rod even), and it's only a 2" fly, which you could certainly downsize or upsize to your preference.

[@riproar11]

I really enjoyed this video! About ten years ago I bought the most massive frozen Muckleshoot salmon fillet at a Safeway in Redwood City for a very good price. It was obviously wild with it's vibrant color and we all enjoyed it as I grilled most of it, but hot and cold smoked the rest. Does Kokanee salmon have color to the fillet like other salmon or is it like most trout?

[@TenkaraAddict]

To be honest, I'm not sure. Sorry!

[@Rekmeyata]

Is the Nirvana rod more durable than the Mizuchi you broke on another video?

[@guybaumgartner4244]

good fish perfect

[@TenkaraAddict]

Thanks Guy 👍

[@joecalcagni9615]

New to Tenkara and I have not yet purchased a setup. I see everyone online saying the line should be the length of the rod so when you get a fish on, extend the rod behind yourself and the fish will be at your feet. Looks like you have a lot more line than that in this video as you are using your net hand to grab the line and pull it towards yourself. Is that just because the rod is bowing due to the weight of the fish so you lose that length? Or do you, in fact, use more line than the length of the rod?

[@dylanhay3884]

Can I recomend trying to net the fish from the bottom instead of trying to net them from above.

[@101jeepz]

May I ask the name of this stream? I'm in Oregon and am looking for great places to practice with my newly gifted Tenkara rod. Thank you

[@devinshook3289]

Where are you at in Oregon?

[@ianjones6910]

I wonder if it would be possible to come up with the fly equivalent of a buzz bait for bass, an 'aggravator' type bait. Also, I'll mention the obvious - you probably would have nailed the cutts with an egg pattern, given all the salmon eggs in the water.

[@TenkaraAddict]

Hmm, an interesting thought! I'm sure you could rig up something like that. Thanks for watching, Ian.

[@Grigoriy321]

I need a tenkara now.

[@LAV777.]

👍👍👍

[@michaelschmidt8139]

You find these gems of streams and it is a great pleasure to follow you along, but how about a polarized filter for your camera so we can see the fish underwater?

[@TenkaraAddict]

I've used just about every GoPro polarizing filter on the market, and they make very little difference. I do indeed have one on in this video.

[@Mattytube18]

Wow, they’re so pretty!

[@Jim19826301]

you need a long handled net for fishing salmon!

[@rustbeltwilds837]

Nice vid. But just beach those kokes. That water was too shallow for the net lol.

[@Ericviking2019]

What size rod?

[@bradrtorgersen_videos]

I've only ever managed spawn-season kokanee once, two Autumns ago. Strange to catch, to be honest. Did not fight like any trout I've ever caught. Kinda hung on like dead weight. And my best one was a foul hook, by sending a small Jakes lure through a tight school of them loitering at the Soldier Creek Dam.

[@CassidyOG]

Honestly, a lot of people don't like to hear this, but spawning salmon/trout should be left alone. There's a reason why these fish have dwindling stocks in certain places - it's because people do shit like this. Even if it's catch and release, you're disturbing and hurting the fish. People need to educate themselves and stop hunting for spawn fish that have fought their way up to their spawning grounds. I usually enjoy this guy's videos, but going for spawning salmon is something I can't support.

[@catherinesinnott1109]

what was the fly? :)

[@richardwoodard7680]

not being able to reel in sometimes an issue especially on big fish

[@stanwright8583]

I'm afraid I would have been tempted to tye on an Egg pattern and see if there were more trout in the stream. 🤣🤣🤣

[@felawes]

I like the concept of a bi-catch.

[@bobjohnson7207]

Did you know that both Rainbow and Cutthroat Trout have been reclassified to the Salmon Family. I've caught Sockeye in the Ocean up to 14lbs.that one looked like an alligator. I find them pound per pound the Strongest Best Eating of all the Salmon's when in the Ocean.

[@fungihntr]

To catch kokanee, one must floss their teeth with the fly line.

[@grahvis]

Nice fishing. Snagging a fish just in front of the dorsal fin can be a nightmare in fast water.

[@TenkaraAddict]

Yeah, definitely not ideal! Thanks for watching and commenting 👍

[@bobbyappleyard4217]

howdy! what tippet were you using here?

[@TenkaraAddict]

5x, I believe.

[@duoglide69]

Was all that spawning making you home sick. 🥰 love is in the air 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@jimmurphy1516]

I have spent many frustrated afternoons trying to catch stream Kokanee. Very challenging. If you catch them 2-3 weeks earlier the fight is unreal. By this time they can be pretty spent. Females seem to bite much more than males IMHO.

[@jimmurphy1516]

And they seem to be all exactly the same. Cookie cutter. Only mystery is male or female.

[@randymorris8740]

Where are all the bears? LOL

[@caleshtcincredibles]

bear country there bro eyes in the back of your head !

[@360fishingadventures8]

Those big cutthroat follow the salmon in from the lake to feed on eggs laid by the salmon. I live in Washington and when the chum salmon are spawning I can catch some monster sea run cutthroat.

[@TenkaraAddict]

This creek has a lot of resident cutthroat of that size in it. That size isn't uncommon in the creek outside of the kokanee spawn. But I bet those big sea run cutthroat are a thrill to catch!

[@CONEHEADDK]

I "hate" easy to tie flies, because being a good tieer doesn't help me at all. But in Skandinavia the Uldsok (wool sock) is one of the most used flies, and it's the same - very effective - but maybe mostly because anybody can tie them, and they are disposable, so there "always" is a uldsok in the water somewhere. I will try your pinkyflies, if I ever go fishing again - I do like it, even though I hate it.

[@es0x]

Better tied flies are mostly for aesthetics. Fish don't care

[@CONEHEADDK]

@@es0x I know. What is your point?

[@es0x]

@@CONEHEADDK Being a good fly tier wouldn't give you an advantage anyway, because a more poorly tied fly isn't going to catch any less fish unless it's made completely wrong

[@littlegreen7159]

Nice salmon what’s ur personal best brook trout mine is 16 inches

[@TenkaraAddict]

Probably around 12 inches. The brook trout are plentiful in streams around here, but they don't get big.

[@littlegreen7159]

@@TenkaraAddict nice the lake I go to you might get one or two a day but there big ones

[@noahalan8353]

Do you eat fish?

[@robertperman8967]

After watching a lot of your videos and the amount of lost fish is this normal for this kind of fishing? If so that’s not a very good way to fly fish!!!!

[@tomhoward8304]

Been there, done that, loosing a fish right at my feet like you did.

[@TenkaraAddict]

Yep, it happens! Oh well. Can't land 'em all. Thanks Tom.

[@ericburgon8697]

It looks like you could have used a reel there a couple times 😂

[@MECH-MASTER]

👍

[@TenkaraAddict]

👍

[@harryjoesather6539]

what net is that ....that you are using....thanks

[@TenkaraAddict]

Measure Net

[@harryjoesather6539]

@@TenkaraAddict thank you very much ...

[@cartersmith8560]

WHERE IS THIS ? what state?

[@TenkaraAddict]

Idaho

[@robertphillips3893]

You are going to need a bigger net for the big boys.

[@troutwardbound]

Wily kokes

[@CarlosA19]

Show. 😍😍

[@TenkaraAddict]

👍 👍

[@crazydansmachineshop8718]

In Merica we call this Cane Pole fly fishing. This aint something we just learned this from the Japanese. My Ole man been fly fishing like this with a cane pole in the deep south of Arkasas back when he was a kid.

[@Sharklicker2000]

Not,to armchair.... but at,what point is your line too long?

[@manfrummt]

Floating line? How long?

[@manfrummt]

Nevermind. I see in the description

[@TenkaraAddict]

👍

[@samchiang4321]

When you lost that big male...I actually felt your pain...

[@TenkaraAddict]

That was rough, but it's all in good fun. At least I was able to catch something!