Fishing Great Smoky Mountains National Park

A week removed from physically being there, Great Smoky Mountains National Park has all but consumed my thoughts. The beautiful fall colors, the whisper of the trout streams, the ability to be amongst the crowds, yet still find the serenity of escape, are all haunting me (in a good way) as this Halloween month comes to a close.

Looking back, thought I'd share a few photos and highlights from the trip. There was so much water, I probably could have fished there each day, every day for a year and not fish it all, however having "base camp" in nearby Cherokee, NC, these were the spots I visited. 

The following spot runs right alongside the road as you head north through the park, past Smokemont Campground. A small footbridge passes the stream, and with a short walk, you can be totally removed from sightseers and picture takers. I went to this event after day one of the Tenkara Jam, as it was nearby and there was not a lot of daylight left.

I managed two small rainbows, and lost probably five or six more. Picking apart the pocket water took some time and before you knew it, I had lost track of the clock to the point where I was forced to wade back to the car downstream in the near dark. Not advisable.

Day two of fishing after the Jam took me back to a place a bit further away that I had first fished with Owl Jones & his buddy "Milliam" in 2012. It's nice to see that Mother Nature has reclaimed some of its roadside charms.

I found it to be a wonderful stream that fished far better this year than four years ago. It required a fairly long hike in and a lot of rock hopping, but it was totally worth the "inconvenience." Several rainbow trout greeted me in the lower stretches, before gradually changing over to brook trout as I gained elevation.

The final day of fishing was the best. Unfortunately, I needed to work from the hotel room a bit too long in the morning which wasted some hours I had intended to be on the stream. However, once I was able to get my affairs in order, it was certainly worth the wait.

Quite simply, the fishery was on fire, and utilizing my orange and white road kone kebari like a dry fly through the shallow runs and pools, I was able to bring many a fish to hand. As before, the fish were mostly rainbow trout, with some brook trout mixed in for good measure. I found it strange that I didn't encounter any brown trout during my three days of fishing, but I can't say that I minded, or that they were missed. 

After an experience like that, it's very difficult to leave the Smokies without a smile on your face. I'm now only faced with the dilemma of figuring out when to go back.

Tenkara Tuesday - Best of the Blue Ridge

So like...I don't ask you, my wonderful readers for a lot...do I?

How about you do me one favor...and if you're really good, you could do that same favor once a day until the end of October? Maybe I'm stretching it, but you'll see why in a second.

Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine is holding their annual "Best of the Blue Ridge" competition. For those with fishing interests (like you), there is a category for "Best Fly Fishing Event"...and the Tenkara Jam is one of the five nominated finalists.

So go HERE and vote.

But you're saying, "Dude, I didn't go to the Tenkara Jam, and would you shut up about it already?" It doesn't matter, you know tenkara is rad, and we want the fairly large Blue Ridge Outdoors subscriber base to know it too. There's no doubt if when the Jam wins, their readers are going to ask themselves, "what the heck is a Tenkara Jam," and look it up on the internet. Cue the curiosity...and the next thing you know they've got a new rod in their hand and they're just as rad as the rest of us.

So go vote...
HERE.

Really...I wasn't kidding...
HERE.

(and do it again tomorrow)

The Not Really A Recap of Tenkara Jam 2016

So, this week's going to be a little weird. After I get in a my last day of fishing in the Smokies today, I'm driving to Atlanta to hop on a plane to San Francisco for work (don't ask)...and I'll be there until Friday. Ugh. So basically I'll be away from home (and any semblance of normalcy) for a full week. As such, the recap of the 2016 Tenkara Jam and the associated fishcapades will probably be a bit delayed.

That said, doesn't mean I can't share a few pictures that I might have handy...

Pimped a few magazines...

 Saw a few friends...

Ogled a few rods...

..and a few more rods...

...oh, and a few more rods...

Listened to some great speakers...

Was in awe of Jason Sparks...

And even caught a few fish...

Good times.

Like I said, will give a real recap when time allows. Hopefully sooner than later. I'm certain others will be posting stuff like crazy this week in social media. So in the meantime check Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for hashtags like #tenkarajam or #tenkarajam2016. If you're checking #caudalpeduncle, good luck. (inside joke from one of the presentations).

Headed To The 2016 Tenkara Jam

If you're reading this on Friday morning, I'm likely in the trusty Subaru headed to Cherokee, North Carolina for this year's Appalachian Tenkara Jam. It's about a seven and change hour drive from my front door, so I'm hoping I'm able to roll into the National Park area around 2 or 3 o'clock with a little daylight left to wet a line.

This weekend should be fun. Getting to hang out with fellow tenkara cult members enthusiasts is always a good time. I mean who doesn't enjoy a good furled vs. level line debate...am I right?

Seriously, I sure hope there's time to catch a few fish among all the camaraderie. My last trip to the Smokies wasn't that fruitful tracking down wild fish, although we did slam the stockies on the last day. I'd like to try and get into some brookies. I really miss brookies.

If you happen to be going, hope to see you there. I'll have a table at the event promoting Tenkara Angler magazine for a bit, then I hope to run around some and document the happenings. If hotel wi-fi works well, might even post some pics somewhat real-time. We'll see...

Tenkara Tuesday - The Upcoming 2016 Tenkara Jam

I'm fairly certain that everybody that reads my blog and has an interest in tenkara is well aware of what's going on this October 15 & 16 in Cherokee, NC; but in case you aren't, it's time do my part and spread the word.

In short, there have been Summits, Fests, Series, and Schools in the past, and not to diminish them in any way, but I don't think there's ever been quite as much tenkara under one roof as there will be at the 2016 Tenkara Jam.

First off, the lineup of speakers is ridiculously deep: Tom Sadler, Chris Stewart, Rob Worthing, Jason Sparks, Anthony Naples, Dan Dutton, Luong Tam, ERiK Ostrander, Jason Klass, and Daniel Galhardo. Wow, talk about a "who's-who" of the American Tenkaraverse.

Next, if you're interested in doing a little gear testing or shopping, I don't think you'll find more tenkara gear anywhere (including Japan). Tenkara USA, Tenkara Bum, Badger Tenkara, Tenkara Tanuki, Three Rivers Tenkara, Tenkara Rod Co., Riverworks Tenkara, Zen Tenkara, Streamside Furled Leaders, Zimmerbuilt, and Hunter Banks Fly Fishing will all be in the house. Ever want to wiggle that rod you've seen online before buying it, this is your chance!

And last but not least, representatives from many tenkara-friendly companies, organizations, and media outlets will also be in attendance. Boone Bar, Appalachian Mountain Brewery, Trout Unlimited, Project Healing Waters, Casting for Recovery, NCWRC, Southern Trout magazine, Fly Life Magazine, and even I'll be there promoting & reporting for my other online project, Tenkara Angler magazine. 

Phew...got all that?

I'm sure I've forgotten a few (and for that I do apologize), but man, there's a lot that's going on. The schedule is so jam-packed (see what I did there...) I don't even know when we're all going to find time to fish all of the nearby waters of the Smokies! 

Fished this water in the rain in 2012, would love to go back again this year...

In any event, if you like tenkara, you gotta be at the 2016 Tenkara Jam. You've got a month to figure it out. If you're curious about tenkara, this is the perfect thing to learn a little bit more. Heck, even if you hate the idea of tenkara, swing on by, maybe we'll change your mind. Probably not, but at least you'll see we're not just cane pole fishin'...not that there's anything wrong with that. Kudos to Jason Sparks and everyone else involved with pulling this event together.

For more details on the 2016 Tenkara Jam, including a full schedule, list of presenters, and online registration, visit the official website HERE. While you're at it, also check out the Appalachian Tenkara Anglers Facebook page more more real-time info in the days between now and the event.

The 2014 Appalachian Tenkara Jam

Can't make it out to Boulder the last weekend of September?  Is Colorado just too far away?  Perhaps you're just allergic to hippies and stoners...  If that's the case, this alternative tenkara event might be for you.

Not meant to compete with the Tenkara Summit, but rather compliment on the East Coast, the Appalachian Tenkara Jam is being held on October 11th & 12th in Foscoe, North Carolina.

Here is some of the agenda for those interested:

Saturday October 11th 11:00AM - 8:00PM
Day One: Big screen presentations and live demonstrations inside

Sunday October 12th 9:00AM - 6:00PM
Day Two: Casting Clinics, Technique Tutorials, Stream-side Classroom, Small Group Guides

There will be presentations on the tenkara style of fly fishing covering topics such as:

• Overview: Rods, Lines, Flies
• Kebari History and current patterns
• Big Fish Wrangling
• Small Stream Techniques

And more...

While the official registration is not open yet, there are plenty of details available at the event page located within Facebook...with more details to come.

8/31 EDIT: A webpage has been set up HERE supporting details and registration of this event!

Just something to bookmark and keep on your radar for the time being.  If you've never attended a tenkara (or any fly fishing) get together, they are great fun, and an awesome way to learn a little bit and connect with like-minded anglers.