"Tenkara anglers only use a rod, a line, and a fly. And to most people, that seems simple enough. But I like to take it to the next level. I'm an "abstract" tenkara fisherman. When I go fly fishing I don't even take a rod, line or fly. I just sit there and think about it."

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My blog: Tenkara Talk
Tenkara USA Rods: Amago, Ayu, Ayu Series II, Ebisu, Ito, Iwana 11', Iwana 12', Yamame
Other Tenkara USA Gear: Tamo, Strap Pack, 3.5 & 4.5 Level Line, 10.5 ft. & 13 ft. Traditional Line, Line Spools

Oh, so that's what my dad's doing while I'm catching fish. I thought he was sleeping.

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my blog CastingAround
Ebisu, Iwana 11'ft (with additional short handle), Amago, Ito, Ayu II

That sounds like something Luke Skywalker or Yoda would do.

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Why let the truth stand in the way of a good fish story.

It was on the fishing schooner L.A. Dunton at Mystic Seaport that I first heard the phrase -
' Are you going to fish or cut bait? '

Not being the brightest bulb in the box it took me the longest time to understand what that phrase meant. Seems being an abstract fisherman has a long tradition.

I guess the next level higher would be thinking about going to the river to think about fly fishing.

However, that wouldn't be nearly as much fun as the real thing. The virtual stuff isn't as real as the reel , ah , real stuff. It probably wont be long before someone makes a Wii game for tenkara fishing in front of the flat screen tv from the comfort of the family room.

Its a slippery slope. Soon you'll be thinking about playing the Tenkara fishing Wii game.

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テンカラ釣りは楽しいのです。

Don't we all do a little mental tenkara fishing when we tie flies? I almost always think casting the fly, the currents it will be in, how the hackle will move, and then of course the take, the fight, netting the fish, etc.

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I always thought the phrase "are you going to fish or cut bait" meant are you going to spend all your time on the preparation or are you actually going to do the main task at hand? Cutting bait is necessary (depending on the type of fishing) but if you spend all your time cutting bait you won't be able to fish. The impression I got was more along the lines of someone being a bit too nervous to tackle the real job so they procrastinate by extending the preparation.

Indeed. That's what I like so much about tying flies.

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my blog CastingAround
Ebisu, Iwana 11'ft (with additional short handle), Amago, Ito, Ayu II

Cutting bait is what western fly fishing feels like to me-so much prep time and frustrating.

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Tenkara Redi

The saying is "it's time to fish or cut bait" = We have talked long enough, now it's time to DO SOMETHING!
Or at least that's what it means down south

Tom

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Wilderness Tarpon 120
and a Tenkara USA Amago
Good Combo!!!

You got that right "millarky" I'm fishing while the rest of the bunch are getting ready to fish.

Tom

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Wilderness Tarpon 120
and a Tenkara USA Amago
Good Combo!!!

That's pretty close to what I finally decided the phrase meant too.

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テンカラ釣りは楽しいのです。