One Hour Browns - June 22, 2021

16-20 (Pitzen) Knot - my go-to knot for tippet to fly

Everybody's got their favorite way to secure their fly to the tippet. Clinch, Improved clinch, Davy, Double Davy, Orvis, etc. There are many knots, and more than a few of these knots have a cult-like following. 

I used to be a clinch knot guy due to its simplicity, but I've found a better knot for my fishing. My favorite knot to use is the 16-20 or Pitzen knot. It's has a small profile, very easy to tie, very strong, and it gives me feedback when it's tied correctly. What's that? Feedback? Yes, feedback. 

When the 16-20 is tied and seated correctly, there is a little "pop" or "click" that occurs. It is so satisfying to hear or feel that click! If there's no click, then you immediately know that the knot didn't seat properly. It's that simple. BTW, the name comes from the 16/20 club. You know, catching a 20 inch trout on a #16 size hook. You've got to have a reliable knot to do that.

So, how do you tie the 16-20 knot? It's easier to show you than try to explain. Here's how I do it:

Here's another video (from Tactical Fly Fisher) demonstrating a better view of the details of the knot, but instead of imbedding the hook into my finger 😲, I use the Ty-Rite tool 😊: 

If you've never tried the 16-20 knot, I'd encourage to give it a go. It's fun to tie, easy to do, very strong, and the "pop" is so satisfying to hear and feel. It's a knot that's worth having in your skill set!

Near a Ski Area - June 22, 2021

 

50 CFS Browns - June 18, 2021

 

Tenkara Rod Co. Yari - dry review

I recently received an email from Tristan Higbee (Tenkara Addict) where he asked if I'd like to take a look at his newest tenkara rod acquisition, the Tenkara Rod Co. (TRC) Yari. I had seen the Kickstarter campaign for this rod, but having elected not to purchase one, I didn't have any expectation of reviewing the rod. So when Tristan offered to lend my his Yari, I of course said yes.

There has been some buzz online regarding the mystery manufacturer of the Yari, a "well known" company in Japan. Many have guessed Tenryu as this mystery manufacturer, and after reviewing the specs, handling, and casting the Yari, I would agree. The Yari is a rebranded Tenryu rod.  

The Yari is a slim, and overall svelte looking tenkara rod. It is red-orange in coloration and has a hard, smooth, glossy finish, almost like red Asian enamel. Accents are held to a minimum (unlike most of TRC's overly painted rods) with some white bands on the tipward portion of the handle section. The rod designation is likewise simple, just stating the name of the rod and "Made in Japan". There is an unfortunate "rising sun over river" line drawing on the front of the rod.  Graphics like this shouldn't surprise anyone, as TRC is well known for their "young and hip" over-the-top graphics. BTW, a Yari is a traditional Japanese blade in the form of a spear.

The handle is very good to excellent cork and is the simple Tenryu cylindrical shape. It is quite thin in diameter (relative to most non-Japanese designed rods), which is common in Japanese made tenkara rods. There is no winding check and the top of the handle tapers slightly. The handle is 25.5 cm in length.

The tip plug is dense wood and fits into the handle section snuggly. The butt cap is red anodized metal which has a slightly knurled edge. There is a coin slot to aid removal and a decompression air hole. There is an O-ring, to minimize spontaneous loosening of the butt cap. 

The lilian is red and moderately long. It is attached to the tip section via a perfectly executed micro-swivel. The tip section can be withdrawn through the second section (Japanese order of section numbering is tip section is #1), and the rod can be completely disassembled for drying and cleaning.

Here are my measurements:

Extended length: 358 cm

Nested length: 55 cm

Weight (without tip plug): 63 g

CCS/RFI: 19 pennies/5.3

For the updated version of the RFI Comparison Chart, CLICK HERE and request the link.

Casting the rod is wonderful, as you would expect from a rod made by one of Japan's premier rod manufacturers (Tenryu, not TRC). The action is smooth and rich, but not slow or full-flex. The rod feels very similar to the Tenryu TF39 and TF39TA, but of course, that makes sense. The RFI puts the Yari squarely in the 6:4 flex action. 

I used a #3 fluorocarbon level line, but the rod feels like it would prefer a #3.5 or maybe even a #4 in certain conditions. There is no oscillation at the end of the casting arc. Linear and rotational dampening is excellent. 

I didn't fish with the Yari, as the rod is Tristan's personal property. Too much can happen when fishing, and I didn't want to risk anything untoward happening to the rod. But Tristan has fished with the rod. His video can be seen here. 

Is there anything I don't like about the rod? Well, yes. I don't like the slim handle diameter. Skinny handles make my hand cramp after a short time casting. I don't like that. I also don't care for red rods. I prefer black, with a matte finish. I'm not a fan of micro-swivels either. They are a weak point in the system and I've had too many pull off under line pressure. That list isn't very long, but it does outline my complaints.

So why do I think Tenryu manufactured the Yari? Well, I've cast and fished with the Tenryu TF39 and TF39TA. The coloration and finish are the same. The handle is the same. The tip plug and butt cap are the same (excepting butt cap's anodized coloration). The lilian and micro-swivel are the same. Finally, the action is very close to the other Tenryu rods. The Yari is a Tenryu rod, I'd bet on it. 

Can you buy one of these rods? No, you can't, not at this time. Unfortunately, the Yari was produced in a limited run and sold through a Kickstarter campaign. If you didn't get in on the campaign, you didn't get a chance to buy the rod. 

Conclusion: This is a very nice rod. The action is rich and unlabored. The light weight is wonderful. The fit and finish is near perfect. This is a true Japanese tenkara rod. Is it any better than readily available premium Japanese tenkara rods (Nissin Zerosum and Fujiryu, Shimano, Suntech TenkaraBum, Oni, etc)? I don't think so. But it's an excellent Japanese tenkara rod, none the less.

I'm not a fan of TRC's rods in general, but this rod raises their standing in American tenkara rod companies. That said, TRC didn't design the rod, Tenryu did, as well as manufactured it. This rod is designed for people who want to fish tenkara as practiced in Japan. It is not like TRC's typical rods, which are designed for people who want to fish in a "simple way", and don't give a fig for Japanese tenkara. 

Even though I'm pretty hard on TRC and their approach to tenkara, I think they should be commended for getting the Yari produced. They should make the Yari readily available on their website store, rather than only doing an occasional production run. If TRC wants to be accepted by Japanese tenkara enthusiasts, they should put the Yari at the head of their line up and keep it readily available. This is a TRC rod that I would buy! Congratulations TRC!

Disclaimer: My opinion regarding this rod is just that, my opinion. Your opinion may differ.  Also, your rod may not have the same length, issues, or functionality as my rod. There are variations between rods, even in the same production run. No description can fully tell you how a rod feels or fishes. For this, you must personally hold, cast, and fish the rod then make up your own mind. 

I was loaned the TRC Yari by its owner, Tristan Higbee, and it was returned to him after my review.

Look What I Have!!!

Here's a teaser! The other day I visited DRAGONtail Tenkara and Brent gave me a couple rods to try out. They are the new FoxFIRE S-glass Tenkara Rods! These are some of the final test rods before the first production run is sent out. 

The green looks great and the blue is very sharp looking. I think everyone will be pleased. 

When I tested the first prototype I was very impressed. SO, ARE YOU READY? They will be coming soon!

Mizuchi creek - June 14, 2021

 

Shimotsuke Fluorescent Green Tenkara Line

A few months ago, I saw a press release from Shimotsuke regarding a new fluorocarbon level line that would soon be released. Fluorocarbon level line isn't new, but Shimotsuke claimed that the fluorescent green color had "never existed before". I talked with Brent at DRAGONtail Tenkara about possibly bringing some in, and he decided to try. 

Most fluorocarbon tenkara level line is orange, pink, yellow or pale olive. Personally, I like orange or pink line with a green sighter, but some people prefer a green main line. For my green sighter, I first started using green Amnesia, but then changed over the TenkaraBum Tactical Nymphing Sighter (no longer available).  While these both worked well, I have wanted a bright green fluorocarbon line to use as a sighter, thus keeping with an all fluorocarbon material line. Well, now I have that option. 

Brent was able to get the Shimotsuke line and I got a few spools of it. It comes in 30 meter spools, instead of 20 meters like Nissin PALS Oni line. The color is bright, but it's still not quite as opaque as green nylon line. But when I attached it to my main line it looks real good. I think it will work well. 

The line is smooth surfaced and has that nice fluorocarbon flexibility. It casts well and will be a great addition to my line arsenal. 

If you are interested in getting some of the Shimotsuke fluorescent green Tenkara line, check out DRAGONtail's website. Thanks to Brent, we now have another color option for level line tenkara!

Nirvana On The Fly DUAL Rig Spools

Nirvana On The Fly (a subsidiary of DRAGONtail Tenkara) has some spectacular line management options, including their Nirvana Line Holders. These are available in three different thicknesses, regular, medium-thin, and extra-thin. These line holders are as good or better than any of the Japanese options available. 

But for some, a double or dual line spool is desired. So, in answering that wish, Nirvana On The Fly will soon release a dual line spool. These are the same high quality and excellent design as their single line spools, but with the ability to carry more than one line. 

Watch for them at DRAGONtail Tenkara! If you have questions, contact Brent at DRAGONtail. 

Left: Thin version. Right: Medium version.

Wyoming Cutthroats and Whitefish - June 11, 2021