B
BrandonBeach
The Tenkara way looks interesting for those smaller streams coming off mount hood if you don’t mind the log hopping. Never tried it but the video’s look pretty straight forward. I imagine it’s more challenging than it looks. Can a cheaper rod work as beginning gear or is it a waste of money.Thanks Jay... yeah, we will have a mid day drive...should be nice... might even check out a few of the creeks... pretty much a Tenkara fisher these days...always ready fling a fly to any size fish... thanks again for your help and info... Brad
BB...thanks for your suggestions...as with many lakes the ol' wooley bugger "can't be beat"!Two weeks ago:
Small wooleys in green or black. With floating line ,12’ leader long cast or kick troll out line and painfully slow strip in with pauses. I cheated, put just on just a bit of power bait, or garlic scent. Middle of the lake downstream side. Did ok.
Did better at trillium, they put a bunch of absolute monster sized trout in there. A cutt variety of some sort. HEAVY 17-20in.
Smoked a couple, nice pink meat, delicious.
BB
DOFK... thanks for your info... sounds perfect for our float tube approach...love that "dries" are workable in the shallows... and locations you mentioned... with 3 days, and the modest size the lake, will no doubt explore much of the surface... see what happens... for sure, it will all be "good"!It is a small lake, easy to float around on. I've had success in the "shallows" with dries, and in the deeper stretches downstream to wards the dam with leeches / BH buggers.
Bring a good selection, and try everything!
The gear chuckers usually monopolize the fishing docks, especially at the Oak Fork inlet, but that still leaves lots of opportunities on the opposite banks.
The fish move around, but you can usually see and target the risers (tend to be browns). I have had success with slow troll of emergers or leeches most places on the lake.
With 3 days strung together, you will undoubtedly be able to cover all the water and nuances of the lake. I have only ever been there for the late afternoon and evening, but I am sure the morning bites would be a whole 'nuther kettle of fish.DOFK... thanks for your info... sounds perfect for our float tube approach...love that "dries" are workable in the shallows... and locations you mentioned... with 3 days, and the modest size the lake, will no doubt explore much of the surface... see what happens... for sure, it will all be "good"!
Jay... here is great article titled "Top 5 Tenkara Rods for Beginners"... https://moretrout.com/gear/best-tenkara-rod-for-beginners/...Jay... Tenkara is actually more versatile than folks realize... I have caught from my float tube up to 26" trout with my 13'6" Tenkara USA Amago ($180)... a good starting length is around 12' to 12'6"...this will do in most small to mid sized streams... the general rule is use the longest rod possible given river/shore conditions (open to tree lined shores)... I have not had a chance but my Amago would be perfect for the Deschutes redsides around Warm Springs and Maupin using 18 to 20' of line ... of course smaller mountain streams are usually a sweet spot for Tenkara...
How much to spend to try it? I would say a $100 rod would land you a decent 12' rod... realize--no reel, just 12 to 14' leader, 4-5' of tippet and just a few fly patterns (wet/dry) often using the reverse hackle fly(referred to as "sakasa kebari" pattern)... no match the hatch pressure as your fly presentation with minimum line on the water is the key to Tenkara styled success and attracting fish...
To review a large array of rods of various costs and sizes, on the web, check out Tristan @ Tenkara Addict...he has a video where he reviewed this January his arsenal of 12 or 14 rods... Other great websites include Tenkara USA (Daniel) who pioneered Tenkara in the US (I own 3 of their rods--Amago, Sato, and Rhodo--$170 to 250), Tom @ Teton Tenkara (he has great reviews of T rods--probably the best reviewer) is another great blog/video resource, and finally, check out Tenkara Bum--with great articles and guidance on all things Tenkara and beyond... those sites will really get you the info you need to decide (p.s. local vendors are limited, best to deal direct with T rod companies)
Finally, know that for 3 years now I have only used my Amago on lakes from my float tube and have been equally successful vs past use of my Western rods... bottom line, I have found Tenkara simplifies my approach with presentation and flies... takes very little practice to "cast" 15' of line (kids can pick it up in 15 minutes), but presentation and keeping the line off the water and floating and/or sinking your fly is the trick, magic, and charm... it is "so simple"... and productive immediately... yeah, I am a believer... if you have $100 bucks or so, do some research, call any of the Tenkara vendors and discuss your "price range" ... they are a gracious, friendly, and informative group... not to go wrong...
Happy researching...let me know what direction you choose to go... would definitely encourage you to try it...you may get hooked at its simplicity and elegance...
Thank you for all the feedback. I will definitely give it a shot.Jay... Tenkara is actually more versatile than folks realize... I have caught from my float tube up to 26" trout with my 13'6" Tenkara USA Amago ($180)... a good starting length is around 12' to 12'6"...this will do in most small to mid sized streams... the general rule is use the longest rod possible given river/shore conditions (open to tree lined shores)... I have not had a chance but my Amago would be perfect for the Deschutes redsides around Warm Springs and Maupin using 18 to 20' of line ... of course smaller mountain streams are usually a sweet spot for Tenkara...
How much to spend to try it? I would say a $100 rod would land you a decent 12' rod... realize--no reel, just 12 to 14' leader, 4-5' of tippet and just a few fly patterns (wet/dry) often using the reverse hackle fly(referred to as "sakasa kebari" pattern)... no match the hatch pressure as your fly presentation with minimum line on the water is the key to Tenkara styled success and attracting fish...
To review a large array of rods of various costs and sizes, on the web, check out Tristan @ Tenkara Addict...he has a video where he reviewed this January his arsenal of 12 or 14 rods... Other great websites include Tenkara USA (Daniel) who pioneered Tenkara in the US (I own 3 of their rods--Amago, Sato, and Rhodo--$170 to 250), Tom @ Teton Tenkara (he has great reviews of T rods--probably the best reviewer) is another great blog/video resource, and finally, check out Tenkara Bum--with great articles and guidance on all things Tenkara and beyond... those sites will really get you the info you need to decide (p.s. local vendors are limited, best to deal direct with T rod companies)
Finally, know that for 3 years now I have only used my Amago on lakes from my float tube and have been equally successful vs past use of my Western rods... bottom line, I have found Tenkara simplifies my approach with presentation and flies... takes very little practice to "cast" 15' of line (kids can pick it up in 15 minutes), but presentation and keeping the line off the water and floating and/or sinking your fly is the trick, magic, and charm... it is "so simple"... and productive immediately... yeah, I am a believer... if you have $100 bucks or so, do some research, call any of the Tenkara vendors and discuss your "price range" ... they are a gracious, friendly, and informative group... not to go wrong...
Happy researching...let me know what direction you choose to go... would definitely encourage you to try it...you may get hooked at its simplicity and elegance...
On all the Hood lakes, chironomids are your best friend.Well we are scheduled again for 5 days next week at Harriett...looking for any fishing reports in the last few weeks... assume the lake should still be poppin' with fish...cooler nights but lake levels maybe down a little... will look for any updates on your recent outings on the lake...successes? what flies you found worked... suspect will start with my previously successful recipe in July of a wooley bugger and Utah killer dropper trolled slowly from my float tube ala a 18' leader w/ my Tenkara rod... your reports?