STREAMERS on TENKARA: Bogus or Brilliant?

On one of my favorite stretches of water, I aim to catch wild browns using streamers on my tenkara rod.
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#tenkara #fishing #flyfishing
Thanks for watching STREAMERS on TENKARA: Bogus or Brilliant?

[@stevewalcott9546]

I think I say this on all of your videos, but the time you take to create your videos really sets you apart. I love the mix of POV and distant views as well as the flowers, trees, rocks, and river. It all makes for a complete “experience”. Just fantastic!

[@FlickyFlies]

Always appreciate your comments Steve!

[@aaronjones6680]

Enjoyed the video. After fishing streamers almost exclusively with western fly gear for many years I started using tenkara gear in 2017. I caught a couple fish on soft hackles then switched over to streamers. They're pretty much all I've used with tenkara gear since then. They've been effective on rivers, creeks and lakes. I've been fortunate enough to catch many trout in the 16"-20" range on them including my largest brook trout with any gear (18") and some very nice kokanee salmon. I do give the streamer "life" imitating how I would strip them with a western fly rod, just with a shorter retrieve.

[@FlickyFlies]

Right on man! It seems weird to most, but streamers and tenkara are a pretty perfect pair. Especially being able to strategically place a streamer in a pocket, say behind a rock but across some rapid water. A lot of the euronymph guys use them as well and dead drift them with some pops here and there for life. Appreciate you watching, thanks for the comment!

[@jcarry5214]

"Xray vision" yeah, I spent a whole cold day on the Weber last year throwing the prettiest loops, the tightest nymph drifts, etc and not even getting a rise. I'd see the occasional brownie scuttle by worry-free. Then it became several an hour. The light eventually got just right and I could see down into this pool, and there were no lie 60 fish in there of respectable size. Absolutely maddening.

[@FlickyFlies]

Haha, oh man!! Yeah, we've all been there.

[@markdoyle8713]

Keep doing you, i am 58 years old and have been doing barb crimp and catch and release for a bit. To see you releasing those trout makes me so happy generation joined. Thank you. Rock on……

[@FlickyFlies]

Thanks my man!! Love it. Barbless is such a nice detail that I think people are missing out on. I tie all my own flies on barbless hooks but if I ever borrow a fly from someone and forgot to crimp the barb down it's kind of crazy how hard they can be to rip out of a fish. Or your pants or shirt. Total pain. Appreciate you watching!

[@rogerkoide9695]

Awesome. The joy you feel when you catch a fish is contagious! Thank you.

[@FlickyFlies]

Glad you enjoy the vibes! Thanks for commenting.

[@barryminner9784]

Love your video. Your enthusiasm is nice to see.

[@FlickyFlies]

Thanks so much, glad to hear it! Fishing is pretty dang great.

[@troutman00]

Great job, and love your style brother!

[@FlickyFlies]

Thanks my man, glad you found the channel!

[@kingkiddfishing]

Great quality, as always.

[@FlickyFlies]

Thanks for watching man! Appreciate the kind words.

[@vlogfuji]

Beautiful stream. I like your way very much. Thank you showing us beautiful stories as always.

[@FlickyFlies]

Thank you so much!! Thank you for watching!

[@tomdwyer8974]

I appreciate all the extra work that you put into creating very beautiful fishing videos. I also love Tenkara. Thanks again.

[@FlickyFlies]

Thanks so much for watching Tom! Glad you enjoy them!

[@markmontoya1183]

Interesting video! I don't think I would've considered a streamer on my tenkara rod but it makes sense. I've done the drag the fly back upstream after a drift with a nymph and had it work a lot so it makes sense.

[@FlickyFlies]

Awesome, definitely give it a shot! Swinging a nymph is also really effective, as you've found! I think most of the time that presentation mimics an aquatic bug emerging towards the surface.

[@michaelsmith7193]

In response to the query in your video’s title, I would say whatever connects you to a trout (legally and ethically, of course) is brilliant. Another beautiful and thoroughly enjoyable outing. I love how you can take an overcast day and render shots of great beauty. Many thanks for these efforts!

[@FlickyFlies]

Thank you Michael! Very observant that you noticed the overcast and how it relates to filming. A sunny day definitely makes a lot of things easier to film ... capturing the contrast between light and shadow ... but I was pretty happy with some of the B-roll I managed to get on this cloudy day!

[@tenkarapondfishing4611]

You have by far the best Tenkara fishing channel on KZbin, and one of the best for nature photography in general.

[@FlickyFlies]

Thanks so much my friend!

[@ernsthorn2788]

Good work on the overall production quality. Lovely water.

[@FlickyFlies]

Thank you Ernst!

[@markdoyle8713]

Great job positive vibes. I am going to try the nymphs on my Hanna

[@FlickyFlies]

Appreciate that Mark! Let me know how it turns out for you!

[@LearnTheLandScandinavia]

How do you only have 2k subs???? Your content is fantastic man, best of luck

[@FlickyFlies]

Thanks man, I'll keep putting out videos and we'll see what happens! Glad you're here watching.

[@michaelcapurso]

Beautiful location. I occasionally fish small unweighted or lightly weighted streamers with my Tenkara rods if the conditions are right. I also have the 380. I used a 3.0 line first time out and did not like it, second time a 3.5 which made it sing.

[@FlickyFlies]

I think the 330 works beautifully with a #3 LL, but I can see your point with the 380, especially if there is a little wind! I'll have to try the #3.5 line.

[@jameslucht197]

Thanks!

[@FlickyFlies]

Thanks so much for the support!

[@dkbmxr18]

Awesome video as always! Streamers on Tenkara has been my go-to lately. I've been fishing the local lakes for largemouth and am having great success. However, I still prefer larger nymphs for small mouth on the local river.

[@DeeMoback]

Yup

[@FlickyFlies]

I unfortunately don't get to fish for smallmouth much living in Colorado, but I love fishing for them when I go back east. I've always used streamers, what kind of nymphs are you having success with? Do you fish them under an indicator?

[@dkbmxr18]

@@FlickyFlies I know it sounds strange but a #6 or #8 prince nymph fished like a streamer near structure has been deadly! I'll also tight line it in deeper spots near big rocks and boulders.

[@seanerichumphreys5253]

Great video, I’m in!

[@FlickyFlies]

Glad to have you here! Thank you!

[@newfydog3543]

You used two of my favorite flies and never discussed kebaris. Bravo! Nice to see someone who uses the whole range of these rods.

[@FlickyFlies]

Tenkara rods are too functional to not want to do some tight-line nymphing, streamer fishing, or especially dries! They really excel at so much. Thanks for watching!

[@adamw8469]

Following from Copenhagen, Denmark. But you’re living the dream.

[@FlickyFlies]

Very cool! We certainly have a lot of beautiful water here in the US. Would love to explore Europe too, though!

[@NathanSeibt]

Great video. Got some browns today on a reverse hackle Copper John. I’d love to see a how to tightline Tenkara video from you or someone else you can recommend. I really struggled to tightline today without dragging the fly, and if I left in slack for a dead drift, struggled to detect strikes.

[@FlickyFlies]

Hey Nathan! I tightline tenkara alllll the time! Tons of my videos feature it. Could it be your fly was a bit too heavy causing it to swing back towards you? Here's one using a 15 foot long keiryu rod (sort of like a stiffer tenkara rod but practically very similar) in winter tightlining nymphs: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bp7TdWWVhJV4jbc

[@NathanSeibt]

It was a pretty light fly, no bead, just some copper wraps on a kebari fly. I’ve seen you tight lining a lot, just wondering if you could do a lil more teaching/how-to while you do it, just on one video. But I’ll check out the vid you linked!

[@tenkarapondfishing4611]

Hi Mr FF. I would say you can certainly fish streamers on a Tenkara. I tend to mostly fish local ponds and reservoirs in the Atlanta area. I've had good success throwing a small wooly bugger on my Dragontail Shadowfire, which is a medium weight 12 ft rod. If I use heavy enough tippet, like #3, I can even simulate stripping by just twitching the tip of the rod. Have landed many a decent bass or bluegill this way. Great video!

[@FlickyFlies]

I'll often use 4x tippet when targeting larger fish but rarely get out the 3x. How does the thicker line help with the presentation?

[@tenkarapondfishing4611]

@@FlickyFlies It doesn't. But, it helps offset the heavier weight and Profile of a streamer. And since I'm fishing ponds for bluegill and bass, stealth is not so much of a factor!

[@adamw8469]

I got turned on to this channel from Tenkara Addict. Excellent quality content.

[@FlickyFlies]

Love it! Thanks for being here!

[@WayneTheSeine]

Just subbed. What a fine looking stream and an awesome day of fishing. I have fly fished since the age of 12 when I received a Shakespere glass rod for my birthday, 64 years and 10+ fly rods later, I am enthralled with learning the Tenkara and am awaiting a Yari. I am sure you constantly receive recommendations on flies so here you go.....a killer bugger that catches all fish, anywhere and any time, The Pop's Brown and Baby Brown bugger. Designed by Pop's of Pop's Let it Fly fly shop in Pagosa. The fly is now licensed under Umpqua. This fly is unreal. I have caught just about every freshwater species you can name, including grass carp, catfish, and turtles. If you are familiar with Silvercreek in Picabo, Idaho who know how challenging it can be. I hired a guide for my wife and I. He rigged me up with a small hopper and nymph which I managed to catch a few small bows and browns on. I left him to help my wife and I moved further downstream and tied on my trusty Pop's bugger. It was fish-on on almost every cast. The guide came running down and asked, "what the hell are you using?" I showed him the bugger and he begged for one. I gave him a three or four. Later that evening, down by the bridge of monsters, I hung and landed a huge rainbow on a #8 11' leader. He said it was the biggest bow he had seen come out of SIlvercreek. That evening he invited on a free trip to the Big Lost for the next morning. The bugger comes in a #8 and #10. I was using the #10 in the slower current of Silvercreek. My favorite nymph is The Salvation.

[@FlickyFlies]

Hey again Wayne! Thanks for subbing! That's an awesome story about that fly - I'm looking (and probably tying) it up asap!!

[@WayneTheSeine]

@@FlickyFlies The fly supposedly mimics a baby brown. It is indeed an incredible fly. A friend and I were wearing out some huge bream and crappie in a back-water cove that had numerous boats in it. One of the boats came over to me and asked, "what the hell are you fishing." I gave him Pop's phone number and told him Pop's would take a card order over the phone. Pop's called me the next day to tell me the guy ordered 100. Pop's was a happy man.

[@WayneTheSeine]

@@FlickyFlies Note that the Umpqua renditon on their page looks more orange when in fact the fly is more olive, brown, and green/bronze flash palmered in. I will see if I can dig one out and take a picture of it and figure a way to send it too you. I think he also beds it in with some very fine lead thread. The sink rate on it is absolutely perfect.

[@WayneTheSeine]

@@FlickyFlies For some reason a response post I made did not show up so here it is again. I found this KZbin video of Pop's tying the fly and naming off the materials. Note that he does not step in and tie the fly until about halfway through the video. An apprentice gives it a go in the first half. At any rate this video shows it perfectly.

[@gokofly]

Perhaps a reverse hackle streamer would be a good middle ground?!?Haha. Whatever catches the fish- and you obviously don’t have a problem doing that! Nice video. Enjoyed 👍🏼

[@FlickyFlies]

Lol! I like how you think. Thanks for watching!

[@georgerehak1424]

Great video. Please show the streamer or fly in each video.

[@FlickyFlies]

Thanks for watching George! I try to remember but sometimes between capturing footage of the surroundings and trying to catch fish I forget! For sure try though!

[@kats1978]

How did you like Kita? I got mixed reviews, some say it feels heavy after several casting even rod itself is light. Anyway, another great video. Love the big brown at end!!

[@FlickyFlies]

I'm pretty obsessed with the Kita in both lengths, honestly. I think I prefer the 330 length a bit more, it's ever so slightly more balanced, and lighter. With an unweighted fly it's a total joy to use. I use the 380 a bit more just because I fish more open streams a bit more often and I like the extra distance for stealth purposes. The 380 is a touch more tip heavy, for sure, but it's a long rod so that's to be expected somewhat. It's very mid-flex profile, casts well, and is so much fun with even modest fish hooked up. They are both quality rods. Lemme know if you have any other questions about them!

[@kats1978]

@@FlickyFlies Thanks for the reply. I have two more questions. 1, Do you think 380 length can handle bigger fish like 15-20”? 2,For windy conditions, I use thicker level line(#4)or PVC fly line. Does the rod, 380, can cast these line well? I occasionally fish in windy day and often hook big one right next to the structures like fallen tree, boulders and more.

[@travisnickeystorms]

Streamers seems to work well how you tight line drift them! I don’t know about that streamer life anymore though haha

[@FlickyFlies]

Totally! Maybe you should try dropping a small streamer below an indicator more often!

[@daviddixon4683]

I will have to try a streamer on my Tenkra.

[@FlickyFlies]

Definitely! Give it a go! A nice relatively lightweight one.

[@jakedewald4109]

Would you consider doing a video on how to fish streamers. I've only caught fish dead drifting with them.

[@FlickyFlies]

I'm typically dead drifting them as well, along with some ticks and pops here and there for a little movement. If I'm not fishing a run like that I'll cast them into pockets behind boulders and then turn my rod sideways and "strip" them out. Lot's of reaction strikes that way! I don't know if I'd ever make a video strictly on how to fish streamers, but I'll certainly be fishing them more in future videos and talking about it!

[@garycywinski9440]

Watching the long hike was worth it video from a year ago. You were way up there. What altitude are you at? I'm out I was a mountaineer it looks like your way up there

[@FlickyFlies]

Hey Gary! About 11,000 feet for that one!

[@unlimitedcastadventures]

I change my flies when the bite stops.

[@FlickyFlies]

I hear that!

[@user-vt7ob9by1g]

Lovely informative video. What length line did you use with the Kita 380? For rivers around that size, I was wondering what length works best generally.

[@FlickyFlies]

I kinda forget exactly, but I'm assuming it was around 380cm itself for the level line and then I'll do 2-4 feet of tippet depending on water depth. I like to keep the whole thing within a few feet of the length of the rod since I don't really like hand lining in those last few feet when I can't quite reach the fish to net it! Thanks for watching!

[@user-vt7ob9by1g]

@@FlickyFlies Yeah, thanks for that, I have a Kita 380, just stating out, haven't tried Tenkara fishing yet, so I was wondering what length makes for handy work. I guess 3/4 feet tippet beyond the rod length. I got both tapered/level lines to try, Another rod on the way, a Yari, so will be interested to see how I get on. Many Thanks

[@geoffreymilke5176]

great video, thanks for sharing. It looks like you are wearing pants, not waders. Am I correct, and if so, what pants?

[@FlickyFlies]

Yes I am, greatly prefer wet wading! These are just some cheap Wranglers that run about $25 at Walmart, if you can find your size. I'd like to spend up a bit and find some durable pants that fit well from a different manufacturer this season, as the Wranglers are definitely prone to falling apart.

[@georgerehak1424]

I change flies when I break off.

[@FlickyFlies]

Ditto!

[@WayneTheSeine]

Ha ha

[@DeeMoback]

I use small bass/bream surface poppers with my tenkara...... yup.... you do need leader that will handle the cast ......tipped with 4 feet of 4 pound test .....yup

[@FlickyFlies]

Nice! Haven't really tried poppers too much, don't fish much warm stillwater! Sounds fun!

[@DeeMoback]

@@FlickyFlies huh?

[@ianbruce6515]

I've always liked small streamers and traditional wet flies. I really don't enjoy casting weighted streamers and nymphs--though O suspect that tight lining nymphs on a tenkara may please me better than nymphing with Western fly gear.

[@FlickyFlies]

I hear that man! A lot of the flies that I cast on my tenkara rods feel clunky and heavy, but I just love how effective they are. When I'm fishing unweighted flies the casting itself is so much more enjoyable. It's kinda cool how well tenkara rods lend themselves to a variety of styles, even if the heavier stuff doesn't feel as good.

[@dtffishingmi]

I’m designing a streamer specifically for Tenkara! Don’t want to give away too much yet but it’s based on a popular bass fishing technique

[@FlickyFlies]

Interesting! Do show me when you release it!

[@dtffishingmi]

@@FlickyFlies will do 🤙

[@georgerehak1424]

Beautiful area. Which state are you in? Love throwing streamers along the edge of the bank in CO.

[@FlickyFlies]

Thanks my friend, I'm in CO here as well!

[@carlosandreblatt]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@FlickyFlies]

Thank you!

[@ernieflynn5124]

Nice video, where are you from?

[@FlickyFlies]

Thank you! Colorado.

[@kyleorndoff4162]

I literally just used a streamer yesterday and caught a rainbow trout.

[@FlickyFlies]

Nice dude! When rainbows are in the mood they love a streamer! I even have luck in the middle of winter dead drifting them. A lot of the euronymphers do that. I first learned about jigged streamers from a Lance Egan video.

[@grantrodway7192]

What are your favorite streamer patterns and sizes?

[@FlickyFlies]

Any small wooly bugger type pattern will work well. Commercially available, Thin Mints are great and on the small side and not too heavy for most rods. If you've got a beefier rod, something a bit heavier is nice. I often use a size 10 jigged streamer with a pretty substantial 3.8mm tungsten bead that I tie myself on my rods that can handle it.

[@D901694]

Would have liked to have seen the streamer. Other than that - great video.

[@FlickyFlies]

Totally agree, gonna try to be a lot better with showing off b-roll of flies next season. Glad you liked it though!

[@leongtoon62]

Are u just wearing regular gear or wading boots and waders ? Looks like regular apparel, if so, how do u not slip ?

[@FlickyFlies]

I'm wearing Crocs Bistro models. They are extremely non slip and have worked really well for me! I typically wet wade unless it's winter. I have a pair of cheap neoprene socks that I'll use when the water is painfully cold. I try to keep it simple!

[@adams13f]

Do you use furled or level line on your tenkara setup?

[@FlickyFlies]

Hey Ryan, I use a leve line 99% of the time, only switching to this very light floating line I have for some specific circumstances. I actually messed around with a furled line just yesterday though, and I really liked the way it was casting in some pretty strong wind, so these percentages might change in the future! It would definitely remain conditions specific though, I'd say.

[@adams13f]

@FlickyFlies thanks for your Input and great videos!!! I live in arkansas so have been just regular fly fishing, but tenkara interests me and plan on trying the white river and trying to blue line but there's limited places to catch trout so I'm just hitting warm creeks for bass.

[@FlickyFlies]

@@adams13f A small streamer on a tenkara rod kills it in warm water! Arkansas is definitely on my list.

[@jacobvillavicencio9272]

Tenkara rod prices in Japan range from $6 to $400. The best tenkara rod I’ve used so far is the 3.6M at a good $40 price. Really lightweight and easy to use.

[@FlickyFlies]

There is definitely a range! Which was your favorite?

[@Strontyum]

You didn't want to discuss the streamer you used? With an upstream cast, some streamers won't profile properly.

[@FlickyFlies]

Totally forgot during filming! Hard for me to remember everything I want to say to the camera lol! It's a size 10 CDC Jigged Streamer. Maribou tail, jig hook, CDC wrapped body. Works great on a tight line dead drifted!

[@Strontyum]

@@FlickyFlies thank you!

[@ianwhitehead3086]

Tenkara muddler

[@crazydansmachineshop8718]

Why are we calling this tenkara? Mericans been fly fishing like this with cane poles for centuries. Maybe rich white fly fishermen dont feel safe in the DEEP South.

[@FlickyFlies]

Replied to your copy paste comment on my other video.

[@alxmeadows]

That’s the goal. Being secluded. No one else around. Leave the world behind. And maybe catch a trout or 10.

[@FlickyFlies]

Right there with ya my friend, thanks for watching.

[@michaelbattin6717]

keep the line off the water, dry fly..... I am new to this I wish I knew what you saying

[@FlickyFlies]

One of the advantages of tenkara is that the rod is long and the "fly line" is light. By keeping the tip up you can keep the line of the water. This helps reduce spooking of fish but most importantly stops the currents from dragging on the line and changing up the drift on the fly. A more natural drift tends to catch more fish. A dry fly is a fly that floats on the surface to mimic a flying insect that has landed or got caught on the water's surface. It's a really fun and visual way to catch trout since you can see some eat the fly.