Ancient Tenkara: A Modern Method

Before Reading Note: I use the term 'downstream method' not to infer a tenkara angler would have been standing in the middle of any river fishing directly downstream (though they might have been), but that a downstream approach gave the greatest advantage to [water-anchored] fly manipulation techniques. I am speaking very broadly of this downstream method, not that it couldn't be defined as 'across downstream' or 'quartering down.' Water conditions would have greatly factored into an angler's decision in these cases, but it is my overall and general belief that the 'downstream method' would have been preferred when given the chance by the ancient Japanese fisherman. Additionally, for reading purposes, please envision 'headwater fishing' on mountain streams pre-infastructure (before concrete dams and retaining walls were built). These man-made constructs were built centuries after these downstream methods would have been developed and first practiced by the Matagi people. Originally, these mountain streams were untamed, making fishing very different than what's noticed in Japan today.

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Were the Matagi and the Shokuryoshi downstream anglers? This question keeps coming up in my mind. Why? Because I am under the firm belief that tenkara in its’ ancient history, originated as a downstream technique. For those of you unfamiliar, the Matagi people were ancient Japanese hunters who are credited with first developing the tenkara-method. The Shokuryoshi, were the village fisherman, who later adopted [the Matagi techniques] and further developed them [professionally] as they fished for the survival of their family and mountain villages.

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While the Matagi and Shokuryoshi surely fished downstream and upstream out of necessity — it’s my opinion that these original practitioners found tenkara most effective when fished downstream. It's only over the past few hundred years, that the transition from a downstream approach, to an upstream method has taken place.

 

It’s this transition [if my theory’s true], from a downstream approach to an upstream approach that I believe is the current problem for tenkara’s [ongoing] elbowing for respect within Western fly fishing circles. 

    This jockeying for 'status' among the other ‘respected techniques' of western fly fishing has shown to be a transitional identity crisis when trying to "find a home" or even an answer, for the western tenkara angler trying to describe "what's tenkara?" to the angling public. Answering, often leaves western tenkara anglers stuck between giving respect to the Japanese history, answering the "gear" question, or answering the "fishing method" question. This fragmented and split-answer description is often confusing for non-tenkara anglers trying to understand tenkara, and more importantly, disorienting when it comes to where tenkara "fits in" within the other 'respected' fly fishing methods.

    If the 'downstream method' was preferred by these early fisherman, this described identity crisis, would be as if wet flies went from being swung downstream, to then being replaced by a more popular upstream method. It's not that it can't be done [fished upstream], it's just that it's not the originating method.

    As it stands today with the majority of tenkara anglers fishing upstream, [we] (if my theory's true) have essentially dismissed the traditional method with a more popular approach. The only problem I’d argue, is that wet flies are more effective when they’re swung, just like I’d make the same case for tenkara — it’s more effective when it’s fished downstream using [water-anchored] fly manipulation or sasoi (luring) techniques.

 

It is my belief that the Matagi and Shokuryoshi knew the downstream effectiveness to lure fish [out] from their holding lies, and that’s why they fished mainly a downstream method when the conditions were adequate to do so.

    Consider the thicker diameter and primitive lines they would have been using. Surely, "the upstream method" would have proven less effective when fishing these heavier, and less efficient lines [in crystal clear waters].

    It is my belief that these more primitive (thicker diameter), “forest-crafted” lines were less than ideal for upstream effectiveness, especially for the earlier Matagi people. As for the Shokuryoshi, even after the implementation of the thinner, braided horsehair (basu) line and silkworm tippets, these downstream techniques and tactics would have [still] provided a better result.

    As time marched on and with developments in modern equipment and with a wider audience of anglers fishing tenkara techniques on a variety of waters’, these original downstream practices (again, if true) were lost to a modern-day, and a decidedly more popular upstream philosophy.

 

This loss is unfortunate, if true, because over the past 20 years a generation of western tenkara anglers argued for tenkara’s place among western fly fishing ‘ranks’ as an effective and deservingly unique approach. A method they’d argue had a stand-alone-place among all the other fly fishing disciplines. Consider among these other methods, dry fly fishing, streamer fishing, euro-nymphing, wet fly swinging, and [possibly missing] downstream tenkara?

    Tenkara should not be known for its’ fixed-line (lack of a reel) and telescopic (backpacker-friendly) rods, but as a ‘style of angling,’ designed specifically to be most effective on certain types of water — with [a very exact] downstream approach. Tenkara might seem a simple method of fishing, but it has micro-currents worth of complexities.

 

I like to say, “Western fly fisher’s cast "the line," tenkara angler’s cast "the fly.” This is not a snub at western fly fishers. This is truly my belief as it speaks to tenkara as a method. Tenkara, aside from euro-nymphing, is the only fly fishing discipline that is fished with a lighter — narrower diameter line. This is what separates tenkara and euro-nymphing from all other styles of fly fishing. This uniqueness in the use of a lighter line allows [us] to fish not only the fly, but the water current, as the fly (kebari) is effectively 'presented' to the fish by our ability to use these thinner diameter lines [while fishing through] or [anchored-on] these exact micro-currents.

 

The same is true of euro-nymphing. The difference that separates tenkara even further from euro-nymphing, and should afford tenkara its’ own seat at the proverbial “fly fishing table” is that euro-nymphing is meant to be fished [within] the water column. Euro-nymphing is not a topwater method. It’s not even a ‘top shelf’ of the water-column technique. 

    Euro-nymphing is about catching fish in the middle and bottom of the water column. Sure, euro-nymphers catch fish on-the-lift or in skinnier water, just as a tenkara angler might ‘dip’ to a certain depth that would be considered euro-nymphing, but for “proverbial” ‘seat-at-the-table’ purposes — tenkara is not intended to be fished at any 'real' depth, but instead within the top few inches, at maximum top 1-foot of the water column. This "topwater" distinction separates tenkara from euro-nymphing and some of the other ‘respected’ fly fishing disciplines making [tenkara] uniquely its’ own technique, and quite deserving of its’ own place at the so-to-speak ‘fly fishing table.’

 

For the American angler who's never fished tenkara methods, a way to understand the tenkara approach would be to think of it as modern-day streamer fishing. The technique involves using the rod-tip in conjunction with the lighter line to perform life-like movements that would provoke a fish to strike. Tenkara anglers are ‘enticing the bite’ with targeted casts and mostly fly manipulation techniques.

 

It would be my suggestion to any tenkara angler who would like to help support and amplify tenkara’s stand-alone position within the ranks of fly fishing methodologies, that when asked, “what’s tenkara?”

 

They/You answer: “Tenkara is a technique. The method involves using fly manipulation techniques [much like streamer fishing] to induce fish strikes in the top of the water column."

 

Notice how nothing was said about the rod or the fixed-line. The rod and the fixed-line are only tools to fish the method. You’d never ask a western fly fisherman or woman “what’s streamer fishing?" With the intention of hearing about their rod and reel!

    Now if someone were to ask, “what’s fixed-line fly fishing?” That answer would be a description of the rod and the attachment of the line to the lillian. Just as if someone were to ask, “what’s fly fishing?” That answer would include a description of the rod and the reel and how the weighted line and [casting it] plays a part in the presentation.

 

We need [to start] to separate what tenkara is, from ‘how we fish it.’ There have been many anglers (over time) who have taken methods or styles of fishing and made them their own. That’s what fishing is all about! Having fun, catching fish, and experimenting with the equipment and various styles to make the experience enjoyable — and uniquely yours’. 

    Just because we have fun experimenting, doesn’t mean that [the one day] when I decide to go to my local city park and fish tenkara, I'd be fair to answer someone should they ask me, “what’s tenkara?” “Oh, it's no reel fly fishing with a telescopic rod." 

   Instead a better answer may be, "It's a fly fishing technique where I manipulate my fly to make a fish want to strike," or more simply, "it's a fly fishing technique."

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Notice I'm leaving the rod and line out of it. If they want to know about why the line is attached to the end of the rod, or why the rod is telescopic, then they can ask that separately. That's a tackle question. Sure the line and rod play a major role in our presentations, but that can be included in your answer when they ask about the equipment.  We need to remember: Tenkara is a fly fishing technique first and foremost!

 

I encourage every tenkara angler who cares about upholding the traditions of Japanese tenkara to consider its’ origin story. How the Matagi and the Shokuryoshi may have fished these methods out of necessity and survival. 

 

We may live in a modern age, but many generations of anglers throughout history have been able to preserve [in practice and in tradition] their preferred method of fishing. It is OUR JOB to do the same for tenkara. Begin to separate ‘how you fish’ tenkara with what tenkara actually is and [maybe was] historically. If you do that — the next time [we] tie on that parachute adams to dead drift, or practice fixed-line nymphing with bead-headed nymphs we won’t get lost in what we're doing, but we’ll remember the origin answer:

 

“Tenkara uses fly manipulations to induce holding fish to rise. Much like how streamer fishing provokes fish to strike — tenkara is similar — only [fished] with a lighter line in the top of the water column.”

 

While that might be how’d you’d find me fishing tenkara on most days, that doesn’t mean that you might not find me fishing tenkara at my local city park. If that should be the case, I may follow that with;

 

“…but today I’m fishing fixed-line nymphing techniques for sunfish.”

 

Remember, as a western tenkara angler we have a responsibility to understand tenkara’s origin story, and how these early practitioners may have been using these ‘tools’ to catch fish. Not only is the history of tenkara important for Japanese anglers, but it’s important to us — not for what it means culturally — but for what it means for tenkara [as a method] among the other great fly fishing disciplines.

 

So I ask you…do you think the Matagi and the Shokuryoshi preferred a downstream method? The answer to this question may unlock the secret to how western fly fishers accept and better understand the advanced techniques tenkara offers to entice fish strikes. The next time you’re on the water — give the 'downstream method' a chance, and ask yourself, “if I lived in Japan 500 years ago and had to catch fish for my village and family would I have fished tenkara upstream or down?”