It happened again—I was watching one of my favorite backpacking YouTube channels, and this episode featured the host trying tenkara for the first time. I was thrilled. The rod company rep walking him through the setup did a great job, and the host seemed genuinely impressed. It was a great opportunity for new people to discover tenkara.
And then, stupid me… I read the comments. I’ve been told repeatedly, “never read the comments” and this is for a good reason. It’s a breeding ground for knee-jerk reactions and half-baked opinions. And sure enough, the usual fallacies were there:
“That’s just cane pole fishing.”
(false equivalency fallacy) “-It really isn’t.”
“My grandad used to cut a branch and do the same thing.”
(more false equivalency fallacy) “-Really? Is he Japanese?”
“These rods are just cheap, made in China rods with a Japanese name and a high price tag slapped on them.”
(Strawman fallacy) -Hm? And how many rods again have you tested and what is your favorite? Also, did you know there are rods made in Korea and Yes, in Japan too?
One commenter insisted that “tenkara isn’t the origin of fixed-line fishing—Fixed line fishing has been done all over the world.” And sure, that’s technically true. But NOBODY in the video or the comments claimed otherwise. The host didn’t. The rep didn’t. But silly people on the internet can’t help from spewing their arrogance into conversation without context or curiosity.
Clearly, nuance is a rare commodity in the comment section.
Dealing with this kind of keyboard ignorance is exhausting. Maybe it bugs me more than it should. But I really care about this stuff. I’ve spent years reading, fishing, learning and sharing my love of tenkara with others. I have watched it grow and watched it evolve. Tenkara angling remains special to me.
Against my better judgment, I replied to a few comments. I tried to offer perspective without picking a fight. One conversation found some common ground, which was refreshing. But that’s rare, and frankly, comment-section debate is NOT something I want to turn into a hobby.
The whole experience got me thinking about how tenkara is presented, and how easily it gets misunderstood. We all can do better, I think. Which brings me to “RALF”…
Let’s Talk About “Just RALF”
“It’s Just a Rod, A Line, and a Fly.”
Catchy, sure, and early on, it helped define tenkara’s appeal. But now, “Just RALF” has become my shorthand for the term that oversimplifies something far more nuanced. In the mind of critics, it seems to imply the idea of tenkara being “less than” their choice of angling.
In truth, no one hikes into the backcountry with only those three things. Not if they want to stay safe, fish effectively, or enjoy the day. Let’s stop suggesting that is what we are doing. The slogan was catchy and looked good on a magazine ad. It was meant to contrast tenkara with gear-heavy western fly fishing. But in my mind, it has become cringeworthy as a half-truth. It becomes fodder to the hardliners who like to marginalize tenkara with criticism and ignorance. We can make things better by being more honest about tenkara.
So… for those you you who are new to tenkara, what do we bring?
(And If you are veteran of tenkara you can skip this section and scroll on down to the next section or read it and let me know if I forgot anything.)
Despite the slogan, most of us bring more than just a rod, line, and fly. Not because we want to carry more—but because we want to fish well and stay safe. Here’s what many tenkara anglers carry:
- A few lines of different lengths/types
- Line spools
- A small fly box
- Forceps, nippers, and basic tools
- A landing net
- Maybe a wading staff
- A pack with snacks, water, rain gear
- Depending on conditions, boots and waders
This isn’t about overpacking, it’s about being present and prepared. True simplicity isn’t about taking less; it’s about carrying only what matters.
It’s Simple… But Not Basic
- There’s subtlety and a unique experience to fishing this way.
- There’s skill, because this kind of fishing happens up close, every movement matters, and a careful approach is key. We must practice stealth.
- There’s history, deeply rooted in Japan’s culture and the traditions of commercial fishing. We appreciate this. Not everyone does.
- There’s innovation in the rods themselves, an evolution of design and materials, and there are some great rod companies out there hoping to win your trust in their products.
- This is where you mention that segments are replaceable by the reputable sellers.
- Don’t forget that tenkara has its own technique in how the fly is presented, how “no drag drifts” are a real thing, and how the rods are hyper flexible and help bring a fish in smoothly.
- There’s accessibility to places many western anglers would never think to fish.
- More casting and less line management.
So how can we represent tenkara better?
Instead of falling back on the shortcut of “Just RALF,” Let’s use some expert communication techniques to try painting a fuller picture. We should strive for meaningful conversations that don’t create adversity between other forms of angling.
You should place yourself as the one holding the knowledge but don’t lecture. We can use a little “communication Judo” here. Put the questions into the other person’s court for them to tell you what they think tenkara is. Let them know how accurate they are and then point out the correct information followed by corrections in their wrong understanding. It can flow like this.
“Tell me what you know about tenkara.”
With this question your goal is to find out what they already know. Right or wrong, this gives you the chance to assess their curiosity and gently correct any misconceptions. You may find out that they know only that it is simple or they may have a good idea of what it is about. By acknowledging what they know you are giving them credit for being knowledgeable. Then they will be more open to hearing and accepting what mistaken ideas or information they have.
Try instead…“Tenkara is simple, but it’s not basic.”
If someone asks about tenkara, don’t lead with RALF. Lead with curiosity.
Ask: “What do you know about tenkara?”
This opens space for real conversation. It helps you understand their assumptions and gives you room to share the truth.
Then say: “Tenkara is simple, but it’s not basic.”
Share your own tenkara story. Talk about the joy of drag-free drifts. The elegance of casting. The way the rod bends and responds during a fight. Mention how it gets you into places western fly-fishing gear struggles to go. And yes, let them hold the rod. Let them cast it. That’s where the magic begins.
Let them give it a wiggle.
Any good salesman will tell you that getting the product you are trying to sell into the customer’s hands is almost as good as a sale. They may have never fished with or even held a tenkara rod. This is a chance for you to let them feel the difference. If there is room, go ahead and teach them to cast. Show them your own accuracy first and maybe even offer a chance to do some real fishing with it. It is these firsthand experiences that make believers out of skeptics.
Be ready to answer additional questions
I always ask, “What else can I tell you about tenkara?” as opposed to “do you have any questions?” This invites them to think a little and absorb what you have told them. Perhaps they will feel a little wiser now?
Don’t be afraid if you get a question that you are not experienced enough to answer. Give your best guess but admit that you are still learning and that there always seems to be something new to learn.
Dealing with Critics
Eventually, you’ll run into critics. Maybe in person, but especially online.
Here’s how to respond:
- Don’t argue. You won’t change minds in a thread.
- Speak from experience. “Tenkara just works for me, especially in mountain streams.”
- Stay honest. Don’t oversell or defend. Just represent.
- Let others be loud. Your calm response will stand out to people quietly watching.
- Remember: Tenkara doesn’t need defending. It just needs honest voices.
So, About That Slogan…
I doubt this article will end the use of “Just RALF.” But maybe, with better conversations and more honest stories, we won’t need it anymore. Perhaps we can all shift the mantra to something else?
“Tenkara isn’t about what you leave behind—it’s about what you bring with intention.”
Please share your ideas in the comments. We can create a better unified voice for tenkara.
Get off the screens and I will see you on the stream friends.
Dennis Vander Houwen is an early adopter of tenkara, he lives and fishes all over Colorado. For more information on living simply or approaching a richer life with fewer things check out his blog, Tenkara Path, where you can also support his tenkara lifestyle by purchasing one of his amazing, handmade tenkara line spool, fly keepers. Learn more about Tenkara Lifestyles here.
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