March 30, 2019

What I Carry in my Car

As you might expect, I have a lot of tenkara rods. Most are Japanese, made with higher end materials. Therefore, I generally don't leave them just lying around. But I have in the past found myself at times on a drive, with no intension of fishing, and coming suddenly upon a creek that looks pretty good. In those moments I would often think, "man, I wish I had my stuff with me".

So a few years ago I started leaving a rod, a few lines, one spool of fluorocarbon tippet and a small box of flies in the back of my car. I've changed the rod out a few times, but many times I have used those items for a spur of the moment fishing adventure.




One of these impromptu adventures happened just the other day. I had finished work earlier and not wanting to drive home to get my stuff I thought I'd just drive up one of the nearby canyons to "check out" the water. After I parked, I got out my "car rod", put a spool of #3 line and tippet in my pocket along with the small box of flies. I stuck the rod into my back pocket and started up the trail.

Wow! Not a flattering silhouette! 

The sky was sunny and the air was a delightful 64 degrees F. There was just a little breeze. I quickly saw that the water levels were good and the clarity was excellent. I was on-call to the hospital so I couldn't go very far, but as long as I stayed within cell reception I thought I'd venture to do a little spontaneous fishing.

As I did some boulder hopping along the bank, trying not to get my shoes wet, I caught fish after fish. Most were browns, but a did take few rainbow and one cutthroat. I exchanged flies a few times - usually after catching 2-3 trout with the fly. I started with a Killer kebari, then changed to a Grave Digger jun kebari, then a black Takayama sakasa kebari, and finally ended with a black Oxford wool futsuu kebari. All were size #10, as is my usual modus operandi.




I took fish in pocket water, pools, riffles and flats. It was great! If I hadn't had my gear with me I would have had a nice walk, but I would have missed out on this wonderful fishing.



I currently carry a DRAGONtail Hydra ZX390 in my car. Although there may be some concern with summertime high temperatures in the car damaging the rod, I have not seen any adverse affects to date. No, I won't be leaving my Oni rods in my car; the Hydra is a very robust rod, yet inexpensive enough for my "experiment".  I also carry a Dr Slick Mitten Clamp on a lanyard. On the lanyard I have my tippet spool and a nipper.





Also in my car I have one of my wading staffs, but I have at times just carried a trekking pole, as it is more compact. Either way, with this minimal gear I can have an enjoyable outing fishing even when I wasn't planning on fishing at all.

If you carry gear in your car I'd love to hear what you carry and how that's turned out for you.






6 comments:

  1. Thank you for another informative post Tom.

    I usually use smaller wet flies than size #10 in the small driftless region streams I fish.

    I am curious, do you use a 10 because:
    (a) it seems to be the most appealing size to the fish
    (b) it is easier to see than smaller flies
    (c) both, or...
    (d) some other reason?

    Many thanks!

    Charlie Phelps

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    1. Hi Charlie. My streams and creeks are moderate to high gradient and have relatively non selective trout in them. Over the years I have found that a size #10 fly is seen and taken my those trout more reliably than a size #12 or smaller fly. I still fish smaller flies on occasion, but it's in certain waters or under specific conditions. Size #10 subsurface kebari just seem to work for me really well!

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    2. I carried #14's as my standard size fly. As the eyes changed so did the fly size. 12's are the new standard...besides the small stream trout don't mind.

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  2. Appreciate the info. Now I know I am not the only one who travels with rods "Just in case". If you ever get a chance I would appreciate some info on the various wading staffs you may use. Always seem to get something out of those discussions. Thanks

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  3. http://www.tenkara-fisher.com/2017/01/nissin-pocket-mini-v3-objective-to.html?m=1

    I have written about the convenience of having a rod with me wherever I go, the Pocket Mini being that rod.

    But I’m still making huge decisions in my fishing, my tenkara. I am committed to it. I got rid of all my rods except one, the Furaibo zoom, my one rod still. And then I added in a 5m rod as I’m developing my Honryu technique and that rod suits a further need in urban #untenkara.

    I feel the need for one more rod, the Nissin Pocket Mini V3 390cm yet the Furaibo zoom is only slightly larger but far more robust.

    I think I did well choosing it.

    Every time I think of getting a third rod, I don’t.

    I don’t need much more.

    Two rods and they are so different but they cover it so well.

    I enjoyed reading your experience.

    Mine is similar in a small way but I only own two rods after owning many dozens of rods.

    I’m more happy about it than I have ever been.

    ReplyDelete