A Return to Our Youth

Hey Everyone, 

It's warming up everywhere and with that water temperatures are rising as well. If you remember an older post I wrote it explained that when water temperature rises it ability to hold oxygen decreases. Water levels also drop (although this year has been a exception - understated I know) With that being said, its this time of year that I leave the cold water streams alone (unless they are at a reasonable altitude) and switch my focus to warm water titans. With all of the great trout fishing and feeling the powerful runs of steelhead its easy to forget how fun catching bream can be. I don't think there is any illusion as to how hard these little warm water titans can fight. Sure its fun to hook into a nice large or small mouth but bream are usually a bit more abundant and easier to catch. I also think that hooking a pumpkinseed or long ear reminds us of our youth. I would imagine that just about every one of us started our fishing passion with one of these little guys on the end of our line. Besides, spending the time sweating in the sun keeps your skills sharp for fall when the need to lay a dry fly just to the right of that rock is so much more important. I really hope that everyone finds the time to get out and spend a little time being a kid again.

See you on the trail,
Lance

A Little Get Away

Hey Everyone,

I have been wanting to fish this stream for about a year now. It's very remote and not an easy steam to get to or even fish. I mentioned it to some friends of mine a few months back and they thought is sounded like a fun trip. I helped them get geared up for their first backpacking experience and let them know that nothing about it was going to be easy. It was a tough hike in and maybe a little more than they expected but in the end everyone made the climb in had a great time. We spent three days climbing boulders and fishing. I have rarely seen a river or stream with such a thriving population of brook trout. It was great fishing to say the least. Its rare now days to find a spot so untouched and wild and I feel very fortunate to have had the chance to experience it. I hope you all enjoy the pictures although they truly do this beautiful area no justice. The fast riffles and steep grade made drifts hard to manage but with a long tenkara rod I was able to hold the fly in the soft water longer. Also being able to collapse the rod made it quite handy for climbing over the house sized rocks to the next hole. In fact is was working so well that by the end everyone had used it and it was unanimous that it was the perfect technique.

 Bear!

 The Crew

 Steven working a run while Jamie is way down in the lower pool

  A friend came to visit

 

I have several more photos but don't want to bore you with a excessively long post. Just thought you'd like to see some pretty country and untouched water. 

See you on the trail,

Lance

Events

Hey Everyone,


Its been a busy couple of weeks with all of the events that I've been attending. I have got to meet and hang out with bunch of really great people who are mostly all tenkara anglers. I have also had the chance to fish some amazing water. If you want to see some photos of day two of the summit here is link to some photos taken by a incredibly gifted photographer Justin Ide. Ive also attached a few photos from my trip to Cullowhee North Carolina to the Fly Fishing Festival where Jason Sparks and I were representing Tenkara USA. Day two of the event was a bit slow so when our hosting fly shop decided to pull stakes Jason and I jumped at the chance to do a little fishing in some of the waters on the NC fly fishing trail. Hope you enjoy the photos.

See you on the trail,
Lance

Tenkara Summit

Hey Everyone,

This weekend I will be at the tenkara summit in Harrisonburg Virginia. If you're a tenkara bum like me I hope to see you there.

See you on the trail,
Lance


Update - Tenkara Summit was a blast. A lot of bear drank, a lot of people, met, a lot of stories told, and a lot of fish caught. If you would like to see photos check out these amazing ones taken by Justin Ide. Tenkara Summit Day 2

Golden Bonefish

Hey Everyone,

Just wanted to remind you that Carp on the fly is just around the corner. I haven't seen them yet but they will begin their spawning runs into creeks and rivers starting next month and continuing through June. After that you will be able to see them feeding in the shallows out in the lakes. If you have a Canoe, Kayak, or shallow draft boat you will be able to sneak up on them. Its been a long winter and spring fishing those trout streams so try to remember to strip set and not trout set. I recommend using a 7 or 8 weight but if your crazy like me try a 5 weight as long as you have a solid reel and watch your drag scream!

See you on the trail,
Lance

4 More Hooked On Tenkara

Hey everyone,

I've been quite busy lately introducing people to the world of tenkara. The fishing hasn't been the easiest that its been for me this year, but everyone is catching fish none the less. As a guide you get to watch other people and I've realized that the river means something different to everyone. I don't think I ever would ask, but It would be interesting to see what they are thinking. It's been a lot of fun not only catching some nice fish but getting to spend the day on the water with some great people. I look forward to see where else the water takes me.

 

See you on the trail,

Lance

Fishing with Ray and Sonja

Hey Everyone,

Well I had the privilege of introducing two more people to the sport of tenkara. I met Ray at the store where he was looking for simple, small, and packable equipment for trout fishing in the back country. Well, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to mention tenkara to him. He was very intrigued so we set up a trip. I remembered his words "I want to get my wife hooked on it" that morning as I scouted some potential spots. Once they arrived I went over the simple setup and gave a quick casting lesson. I say quick because they both picked it up in about fifteen minutes. We geared up and headed to one of the spots that I had seen some trout holding. It wasn't long before I heard those famous words "I got one" as Ray pulled in a nice brookie to the net. It wasn't long before both of them had hooked up. I decided to work with Sonja a bit since she was left handed and was having to cast backhanded. I took it as a lesson as well since It helped me learn tricks for the next time I have a southpaw. I am happy to say that with very little instruction, Sonja was out-fishing her husband (which was the plan). I don't want to get too long winded but I want to add that at the end of the day Sonja came over to me and said "I'm hooked". It was a great day with two great people and if nothing else it was just a wonderful day to be on the water.

See you on the trail,
Lance