Dear tenkara tamo enthusiasts,
The mesh are finally here. http://www.tenkarausa.com/product_info.php/products_id/113. Completed nets (not made from one single branch) will be offered soon for just under $70).

These are hand-made and the mesh holes are extremely fine (2mm) and are very well made.

Because I wanted to make these available as soon as possible, for now the mesh will be sent alone, no instructions and not as a kit (that is, not containing a wrapping cord, or brass wire). Brass wire is not really necessary, but is normally used in place of the existing nylon to connect the mesh to the frame. In my first nets I have used nylon (15lb) to connect the mesh to the frame, but you're free to use what you wish, I'd recommend nylon or spectra braid for longevity.

It's a learning experience for all of us, and I'll try getting some pictures of the knots I used to connect the mesh to the frame, here is a starting point:
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&tl=en&u=http://www4.plala.or.jp/keisuikai7/tamowakutukurikata3.htm&rurl=translate.google.com

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Tenkara USA, founder
打仁得流, テンカラ大使
About me and Tenkara USA

Got a net bag order today.......they are fabulous!

Just a hint for you when you start to thread wire through the hem for support.....Don't cut your wire with cutters.The old mechanics rule is " if you cut wire -it will cut you". Break your wire by bending it back and forth until it snaps....it gives a dull break. You don't want sharp cut edges when you are messing with these expensive bags.
Have fun ! Take aspirin for the headache and eyestrain that will come with assembling our nets with beautiful, identical, evenly spaced knots. Take many rest breaks too.

Thanks, Daniel. Will order soon. My frame continues to weep so it will be some time before it's ready.

Quick question on the TenkaraUSA net bags--at the junction of the mesh holes is there a knot? Since they are hand made I'm assuming there is but I can't tell from the pictures.

I ask since in Washington state a net's mesh cannot have knots in waters regulated as fly fishing only or 'selective gear' waters.

Yes, there are knots. They are very small, but they are definitely knots.

Interesting about the WA regulation.
Yes, unfortunately tenkara mesh nets do have very small knots, but knots nonetheless.

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Tenkara USA, founder
打仁得流, テンカラ大使
About me and Tenkara USA

Thank you for the additional information. I'm fairly certain the spirit of the regulation "Only knotless nets may be used to land fish" was to restrict the use of nets with large, abrasive knots which create scratches on fish (especially to protect our native salmon and steelhead which are endangered in many WA river systems).

I don't fault the WDFW for not wanting to inspect every net on the market and leaving it simply as 'no knots'. If I do happen to attempt to craft my own net I'll start a new thread discussing alternative mesh products.

You might want to build a net for the other non restricted waters and show it to a dfg warden. The knots are so small they are almost non existent and so close together the net supports the fish quite well. Worth a try.

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Rick

テンカラ。小さなストリームのシンプルさ。
My Tenkara Rods:
13' Ayu, 12' Yamame, 11' with a conversion handle, and an Ito.

My Wife's Tenkara Rods:
12' Ebisu and 13.5' Amago, 12' Iwana with a conversion handle, and an Ito.

I think that is a great idea indeed!
How often do you fish such waters?

I see advantages in the tenkara net mesh construction that should outweigh the need for a knotless mesh. But, while it would be very nice to get that cleared, I believe this piece of the law will be hard to argue, and it seems to leave little room for interpretation.
I believe there are a couple of good net examples in this part of the forum that use the Brodin ghost net: http://www.brodin.com/Ghost_Bags.html
It's heavier, has bigger gaps, IMO not as elegant, but for this piece of the law that may be the alternative.

_________________
__________________________________________
Tenkara USA, founder
打仁得流, テンカラ大使
About me and Tenkara USA

It is fairly common regulation in Washington and even more so in the smaller rivers--of the six rivers I fished using tenkara gear in 2010 all but one had the net restriction.