Experiencing the World of Fly Fishing in Munich

I was invited to take part in in the 19^th annual “Erlebniswelt Fliegenfischen”, or “Experience the World of Fly Fishing” (EWF), festival as a presenter for their women’s program in Munich, Germany. At the event, I was presenting a Tenkara 101 class on a Saturday and Sunday in April, 2024. I was introduced to Ramona Hani, the head of the ladies’ program, on the Friday before the main event as she would be my translator and event lead. No prior planning could have had me more prepared, so, in typical Amanda fashion, away I went! This would also be my first “formal” tenkara teaching gig. Nervous? Of course.

The Show

The EWF, being an international fly fishing trade show, had outdoor and fly fishing companies representing from near and far. Well-known outdoor brands such as YETI, which had an engraving station for items bought there, and Patagonia, which had a booth for people to bring any outdoor gear to be repaired or patched, were present and well represented. Europe being a continent made up of countries much smaller than the US, there were many different languages being thrown around and I am just lucky I understood one that most understood. English. Other than that, Google translate and other apps were very useful with verbal and written translations.

Fly shops were also very well represented with several booths carrying an array of furs, feathers, threads, and other fly tying goodies that I purchased and got to see in person. There were also fly tyers at these fly shop booths as well and social media personalities I have grown accustomed to following along in their tying and fishing journey. This includes Guido Scala and Rudi Weistermayer. I was honored to put a face to names and was even gifted flies and tying materials from them. Thank you, Guido and Rudi!

Speaking of feathers, the Gallo de Leon feathers were represented by Javier Escanciano. I spent a good amount of my time at his booth and at his presentations learning as much as I could about the spectacularly brilliant endemic feathers from these special birds. If you have a chance, I highly recommend contacting him on Facebook or his website gallodeleon.com. There is surely so much more to his feathers than words and as I did a shopping run for Jonathan Antunez, aka @troutconjurer, I can tell you many people were interested in his birds and livelihood. You should probably be too.

Along with tyers I have been following along with online, at the show, I met several others from around the world and got to pick their brains as best I could in my broken German and Italian and learned a lot along the way. There was quite the tying competition going on throughout the weekend with winners being announced in the categories of dry fly, streamer, and realistic fly. These categories are announced before the event to prep for the competition. It seems there was quite the race happening and, compared to some of the American fly fishing trade shows I have been to, the fly tying appeared to be taken more seriously in more of a respect and admiration sort of way. The fly tyers were on a raised platform in front of the whole section and were almost put on display as much as their individual flies were. I found this quite interesting, unique, and impressive.

The Teaching

For me, this was my first formal encounter teaching anyone; let alone at a fly fishing trade show. I represented as one of the two creators of the Heritage Tenkara Project and it was our first official projects in outreaching to women. I plan to do more presentations and teachings in the future, but this first time was one I needed to get through. I touched on safety, how I got into tenkara, and why I love tenkara by explaining all its “simplicities” and practicalities. I felt engaged with the people who attended, who ended up being men and women, and it felt good to connect with people after the 45-minute presentation and even encourage buying a tenkara rod for their own outdoor adventures. 

In coming to this show, I was able to be alongside my tenkara mentor, Luong Tam of Tanuki Tenkara, and form my own syllabus in teaching. Luong was the man that believed enough in me to introduce fishing with a tenkara rod at this presentation in Germany and I would not have gotten this chance without him. I have been to several of his PowerPoint presentations, lectures, and demonstrations and have watched him grow his speeches/teachings and influence people with his quirks, humor, and passion for tenkara. In fact, every time he has any presence at a show, I am sure to attend because I am always learning from him and I hope I can carry that into my teachings as I continue to present on tenkara. Being approachable and having passion for the art of tenkara has also allowed me to reach and inspire others to fish with a tenkara rod as well. 

The Overall

Having been to “The Fly Fishing Show” in several cities up and down the East Coast of the US and to a few  state-run fly fishing trade shows over the past few years, I was impressed with this show. I enjoyed how much tenkara was represented and I was able to walk around freely with the rod and not get weird stares. In fact, the booth I was at was almost all tenkara focused and centric. I recommend checking out Like A River Alps in Bergamo, Italy.

I enjoyed teaching tenkara and getting the chance to represent tenkara at the fly fishing show. It has allowed me to broaden my horizons and leave the United States for the first time in my 35 years. I would go again in a heartbeat and encourage others to as well. It was interesting to talk to other tenkara anglers from around the world and I was happy to meet other anglers who have such a great outlook on nature and tenkara. Shout out to Andy and Mary of Austria and Eberhard of Germany. You were all very welcoming to my girlfriend and I and I hope to fish with you in the future!

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