Tenkara is quickly winning hearts all over the world. And it’s no wonder — even though it’s an ancient Japanese fishing method, it only made its way out of Japan around 2009. But that’s not the only reason for its growing popularity. There are plenty of good ones.
Let’s take a look at what makes tenkara fishing so special — and why so many anglers (and even non-anglers) are switching to it.
Reasons to Choose Tenkara for Fishing
1. Simplicity
Ilmselt üks kõige peamisemaid põhjusi tenkaraga tegelemiseks on selle lihtne olemus. Tenkara koosnemine ainult kolmest komponendist – ritv, nöör ja putukas – on üheks peamiseks magnetiks, mis inimesi selle juurde tõmbab. Otsingud lihtsa lendõnge järele juhatasid selleni ka minu. Tenkara juurest on elimineeritud kõige heidutavamad asjad – vilumust nõudev heitetehnika koos rulli käsitsemise oskusega ja erinevate putukate haldamine ja vahetamine. Ridval puudub rull ning püügiks piisab ühest putukast.
Probably one of the main reasons for practicing tenkara fishing is its sheer simplicity.
Tenkara consists of just three components: a rod, a line, and a fly. That’s it. No reel, no complicated setup, no collection of twenty-seven different nymphs and dry flies. Just tie on one fly and go. This minimal setup is one of the main attractions that draws people to it. My own search for a simple fly-fishing method led me to tenkara as well.
It’s fly fishing stripped to its essence. Gone are the intimidating fly-casting techniques and reel management. You don’t need to master a dozen wrist movements or remember Latin insect names. With tenkara, anyone can fish — even those who wouldn’t call themselves “anglers.”
In simple terms, you don’t have to be a fisherman to fish with tenkara. It’s a method that doesn’t require constant practice to get decent results. When you suddenly feel like catching a fish, you can grab your rod, fish a bit, and forget about it until next time. In its simplicity, it suits both complete beginners and experienced professionals, because you can learn the basics in minutes, yet spend a lifetime mastering it.
2. Effectiveness
Simplicity doesn’t mean inefficiency. Far from it.
The long, lightweight tenkara rod and thin line allow you to present your fly delicately and naturally — closer to how real insects behave on the water.
A special kebari fly also helps — it’s easy to tie yourself from thread and feather. Its forward-facing hackles give it a pulsing, lifelike motion. The result can be a bigger catch than when using competing fishing methods.* You don’t have to be a hyper-super fishing boss to catch fish with tenkara.
Tenkara makes it possible to fish even in the smallest overgrown streams and ditches where other gear would be useless, because tenkara equipment is light and most of the line stays out of the water. Tenkara can be both fast and mobile like a spinning, but you can also use it while standing still to catch small fish. The fly spends more time in the water instead of in the air, which makes every cast count.
3. Perfect for Smaller Rivers
Tenkara truly shines on smaller rivers, mountain streams, and creeks, where other fishing methods often become cumbersome or even impossible. The long, lightweight rod gives you reach and precision without needing to wade deep or make long casts.
The kebari used for fishing doesn’t imitate any specific insect that appears at a certain time, but rather triggers the fish’s basic predatory instincts — similar to how a spinning lure works. Because of that, the results are fairly consistent throughout the fishing season, without having to match every hatch or switch flies constantly.
Whether you’re chasing trout in alpine creeks or small panfish in local streams, tenkara offers the same rewarding simplicity and effectiveness.
4. Intuitive to Learn
It’s enough to take the rod in your hand, wave it back and forth a bit, and basically the job is clear within five minutes. You just need to make sure the rod doesn’t go too far back during the cast.
Landing a fish is also very natural — simply tilt the rod backward, guide the line into your free hand, and take the fish out. Or lead it directly into the net. No magic involved.
Learning tenkara is very quick and instinctive, as the casting movements are natural and there are no complicated techniques to learn. The absence of a reel helps too, because reel-free fishing feels natural. Since the line is attached directly to the rod tip, beginners find it easier to control the equipment because there are fewer moving parts to worry about. Anyone can manage tenkara, and unlike some other forms of fishing, you don’t have to practice constantly to do well. It’s one of the those fishing methods that you can learn in five minutes and still enjoy for decades.
5. Speed
Tenkara might just be the fastest setup in fishing.
Extend the rod, fasten the line, and start fishing — it literally takes half a minute. Perfect for those spontaneous “oh, that river looks nice” moments.
Imagine this: it’s Sunday morning, you’re driving home from a wedding somewhere in the countryside, and you come across a gorgeous unknown river. You pull over, grab your tenkara rod, and within 30 seconds, you’re fishing. No messy setup, no tangled reels, no fuss. If the fish aren’t biting, you’re packed up and driving again in under a minute.
Even your spouse waiting in the car won’t have time to get annoyed.
6. Comfort
Tenkara is a light and convenient fishing tool that you can use even in winter while wearing thick mittens. Because there’s no reel to handle, there’s no need to use fine motor skills that the cold easily disables.
That primal fishing urge that wakes up with the start of the season — combined with freezing winter weather — can be rough on your hands when using a spinning or traditional fly rod. Also, tenkara rods don’t have guides that could freeze in winter.
When bushwacking through dense brush to change fishing spots, the rod collapses quickly and opens just as easily again.
7. Compact and Portable
The portability of tenkara rods is another huge plus. Most rods collapse down to 50–60 cm (20″–24″), with pocket versions as short as 25 cm (10″). They weigh less than 100 grams and take up almost no space. That means you can keep a tenkara rod in your car at all times, ready for those surprise fishing opportunities life throws your way — often when your full gear set is far away.
As a backpacker, I can confidently say that tenkara is the best fishing system to take on a backpacking trip. It’s not a toy like some travel telescopic rods — it’s a real, effective tool. Even the ultralight crowd won’t roll their eyes at this one.
It’s also perfect for travel. Sometimes you’re on vacation with only a carry-on luggage, and halfway through a seaside walk you see locals fishing off the pier. You sigh: “If only I had a rod…” Well, with tenkara, you could have. Even though tenkara isn’t designed for saltwater, it can still catch fish there — with a kebari or even with a simple cane pole rig. The main thing is to bring a compact rod.
Conclusion
These are the main reasons to choose tenkara for fishing. There are plenty more, but these are the down-to-earth ones. We’ll skip the talk about “becoming one with nature” and “achieving fishing Zen” for now.
In recent years, tenkara gear has exploded in availability, with new brands popping up everywhere. That’s another reason the method keeps spreading — anyone can get a rod, or three, or thirty-three. As the old proverb says: Better have three balls than empty pants.
Curious to give it a try? Start by choosing your first rod — and you might never look back.
* Disclaimer: Despite all the grand promises above, your actual fishing results will mostly depend on how clumsy you are.