Most of my streams are fairly open, but I fish a few that are pretty closed in with trees and shrubs. I enjoy them, even though I lose a lot of flies to the trees. Someday I want to fish the tightly packed streams of the east with Chris Stewart, but until then I'll be content with my small streams here in the west.
Small streams pose unique challenges. They are, however, made for tenkara. As difficult as they may be using tenkara, they can be an extreme nightmare using western gear. This I have learned over the past years.
The mantra of tenkara is "use the longest rod you can get away with", but this does always bode well for small, tight streams. First of all, there is no overhead room. Raise the rod and your rod is hitting branches. It's hard to cast when your rod hits branches. Second, your line gets wrapped around those branches. Need I say more on this point? Third, there is no need to cast very far because the fish are right in front of you -- 5-10 feet away.
Western gear does have one advantage though, only one. You may say, "If it's tight overhead, I can just do one of those way cool bow-and-arrow casts". Yes you can, but when a fish takes your fly all you can do is watch, since you can't raise the rod and set the hook -- remember the branches scrapping your head? With a western rod you could at least strip the line and set the hook, but not with a fix-line rod. So you try to set to the right or to the left. Still, you're into the branches, aaaarrrrggghhhh. But what fun!!
Despite this and other problems, I love these small tunnel-like streams. They pose chess-like challenges and they can hold surprisingly large fish. Also, there are no other people on them. Maybe it's because other people aren't as crazy as I am! More likely, other people want to catch large trout, not small native fish like I prefer.
I fished one of these streams the other day. I had one hour. My wife was with me, as we had driven to look at the fall leaves. She read in the car while I donned my Hippies, and walked into the stream. As I approached the stream I found a small break in the riparian foliage. Before I entered, I made a few casts towards a small pool behind a rock. My casts were sloppy, as I couldn't fully load the rod, thanks to the tree next to me. Cast one... nothing. Cast two... small cutthroat! Excellent!
As I worked my way upstream I caught and released many fish. Some were mini-fish; the however largest was 12 inches. I love those 12 inchers in a stream that is 4-6 inches deep and 4-6 feet wide. I'm always amazed how it seems that fish can be hooked in the shallowest of water; and I didn't even see them there!!
Here are some pics:
Video? Did you say video? Yep, we got video!
Rod used: Wakata 270 cm with a 9 foot #3.5 line. This combo was just a little too long in some spots, and a more than a little to short in others. I need a 270 cm to 330 cm zoom rod for this stream! Anybody got one?
Fly:
It's Autumn!! See you out there.
Small streams pose unique challenges. They are, however, made for tenkara. As difficult as they may be using tenkara, they can be an extreme nightmare using western gear. This I have learned over the past years.
The mantra of tenkara is "use the longest rod you can get away with", but this does always bode well for small, tight streams. First of all, there is no overhead room. Raise the rod and your rod is hitting branches. It's hard to cast when your rod hits branches. Second, your line gets wrapped around those branches. Need I say more on this point? Third, there is no need to cast very far because the fish are right in front of you -- 5-10 feet away.
Western gear does have one advantage though, only one. You may say, "If it's tight overhead, I can just do one of those way cool bow-and-arrow casts". Yes you can, but when a fish takes your fly all you can do is watch, since you can't raise the rod and set the hook -- remember the branches scrapping your head? With a western rod you could at least strip the line and set the hook, but not with a fix-line rod. So you try to set to the right or to the left. Still, you're into the branches, aaaarrrrggghhhh. But what fun!!
Despite this and other problems, I love these small tunnel-like streams. They pose chess-like challenges and they can hold surprisingly large fish. Also, there are no other people on them. Maybe it's because other people aren't as crazy as I am! More likely, other people want to catch large trout, not small native fish like I prefer.
I fished one of these streams the other day. I had one hour. My wife was with me, as we had driven to look at the fall leaves. She read in the car while I donned my Hippies, and walked into the stream. As I approached the stream I found a small break in the riparian foliage. Before I entered, I made a few casts towards a small pool behind a rock. My casts were sloppy, as I couldn't fully load the rod, thanks to the tree next to me. Cast one... nothing. Cast two... small cutthroat! Excellent!
 |
| Before getting in the water. |
As I worked my way upstream I caught and released many fish. Some were mini-fish; the however largest was 12 inches. I love those 12 inchers in a stream that is 4-6 inches deep and 4-6 feet wide. I'm always amazed how it seems that fish can be hooked in the shallowest of water; and I didn't even see them there!!
Here are some pics:
 |
| The big fish of the evening. It had to be a planter rainbow. |
Video? Did you say video? Yep, we got video!
Rod used: Wakata 270 cm with a 9 foot #3.5 line. This combo was just a little too long in some spots, and a more than a little to short in others. I need a 270 cm to 330 cm zoom rod for this stream! Anybody got one?
Fly:
It's Autumn!! See you out there.
"I need a 270 cm to 330 cm zoom rod for this stream! Anybody got one?"
ReplyDeleteActually, yes. Yes I do. It is a bit stiff for the mini-fish but would be just fine for the 10-12 inchers.
You always seems to have the tools that are needed!
Delete-Tom
I mentioned the need for a zoom on the low end in a Tenkara.usa forum myself a few months ago. And Chris? Are you hiding this rod? I've never seen one with those characteristics on your website. Though I would prefer the rod be perhaps around or less than an 18 penny rod and it seems you may be saying it is stiffer.
ReplyDeleteLynn David, you must have blinked. It was there but not for long. I got one in to evaluate but felt it was a bit stiff for the small fish that you find in the really small streams in the East so it hasn't been a regular part of the line-up. The guy who bought it does like it, though. Guess I should get in a few more. Anything else on the wish list, Tom or Lynn?
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a stream that I fish from time to time Tom. Most of the streams here are tighter though, and are really only fishable with ultralight spinning gear. There is one over in Wyoming County, NY that you would not believe. And with big fish, near a village named Bliss. I tried it once with my Kurenai 33 but that rod is just too long and I never went back.
ReplyDeleteThey are challenging but worth it. I'd love to try my hand at some of those NY streams. Humbling, I'm sure!
Delete-Tom
Tom, i know chris has already made a good review on the wakata but i would like to read your
ReplyDeleteword on it... Is there another rod review coming?
Hi Carlos,
DeleteYes, I will do a formal review of the rod. I have fished it now for almost a year.
-Tom
Some pretty fall colors on those cutts. If it is the little stream I think it is, it's a bugger to fish, but fun. Now is a great time to be there... less people and ATVs. It looks like the little rod you are using works fine there. Beautiful video and a nice area.... it could use a few less cows though. Many leaves turned yet?
ReplyDeleteYep, you're right. And yes, I wish there were fewer cows. The leaves are turning red; beautiful.
Delete-Tom
Well done Tom, great video too. I brought a rod 11' but have never used it to-date. I must get it out for or some late season Grayling. Thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteBest Wishes.
Richard.
Becareful what you wish for with those tight closed in streams here in the east. They can be a challenge but very frustrating too. I still find them to be worth it none the less. They have a very intimate feel to them. Your stream seems like a gem.
ReplyDelete