Michael Agneta

A Happy New Year of Reading

Happy New Year 2020!!!

I still can’t get my mind around that. It’s a date that looks like it was ripped straight out of a science-fiction novel.

As I’m writing this blog entry, I wanted to take a short break from editing and laying out the next issue of Tenkara Angler (Winter 2019-2020) to revisit a wonderful year of articles from the tenkara & fixed-line community. If you’re new to tenkara or this magazine, or just want to re-read some “oldies but goodies,” I picked three memorable entries from each quarterly issue for your enjoyment.

Winter 2018-2019

- Coffee and a Pinch of Optimism, by Melissa J. Alcorn
- An Interview with Jason Sparks, by Adam Trahan
- The Three Paths, by Dennis Vander Houwen

Spring 2019

- An Introduction to Ultralight Backpacking for Tenkara Anglers, by Tristan Higbee
- A Treatise on Static Testing and the Classification of Tenkara, Keiryu, and Seiryu Rods, by Dr. Tom Davis
- Behind the Scenes with Discover Tenkara, by David West Beale

Summer 2019

- The Savage Adventure, by Mike Hepner
- When Opportunity Knocks, by Chris Lynch
- Tenkara and Smallmouth Bass, by Bob Long, Jr.

Fall 2019

- Tenkara Thrives Offline, by Adam Klagsbrun
- Lessons Learned in the Rockies, by Adam Rieger
- The Healing Stream, by Dr. Mark Phillips

I hope you enjoy this rundown of the highlights of 2019… and don’t go too far, as I mentioned, the latest issue of Tenkara Angler will be dropping soon!

This entry is sponsored by Tiny Tenkara. Check out their line of simple, engaging, & intuitive small stream rods HERE, and save 10% off your purchase with coupon code TENKARAANGLER.

Best of Tenkara Angler: Kebari & Fly Tying Mashup Issue

As winter sets in many anglers across the country hang up their rods and waders and take to their fly tying benches to replenish their season-ravaged fly boxes… But why tie the same old patterns when there are many new ones to explore and learn to fish?

I’m happy to present the Best of Tenkara Angler: Kebari & Fly Tying Mashup issue for your inspiration!

Best of Kebari Cover

I figured this would be an ideal time to publish this fly and fly tying companion piece. 32 individual entries re-visit interviews, fly tying recipes, fly swap photos, in-stream techniques, and more from the past four years in this 90+ page installment.

It certainly was a blast to re-read articles from a lot of great fly tyers and anglers, including, but not limited to: Robb Chunco, “Kiwi” Kuhlow, Chris Zimmer, Dr. Tom Davis, Anthony Naples, Jim Wright, Adam Rieger, Jason Sparks, Bart Lombardo, Rob Gonzalez, Michael McFarland, Stephen Myers, Jayson Singe, Sam Larson, Mark White, Kengo Shintaku, and Chris Stewart.

As always, Tenkara Angler is best viewed through the Issuu e-reader or app. However, physical print copies or PDF downloads can be purchased in our Blurb store.

Some background: “Best Of” re-issues of the magazine combine similarly themed articles from prior releases into one consolidated issue. These allow newer readers to catch up on some previously published content without going through each and every back-issue, as well as let older readers re-discover some articles that may have new meaning.

One minor disclaimer, this issue consists of articles literally “ripped” from prior issues of Tenkara Angler, so it’s a bit less refined than a normal issue of the magazine. (Examples being the absence of a “From the Editor” section, the page numbers at the bottom of each page make absolutely no sense at all and, inconsistent fonts throughout).

Also, in the interest of reducing cost some, should you want to purchase physical copy of a “Best Of” issue, they will be printed on Standard stock, not the typical Premium stock. Still a great option, just not quite a thick a page or glossy photo.

I hope you enjoy the kebari and fly tying mashup issue of Tenkara Angler!

Winter 2019 Issue: Call For Submissions

I wanted to take the opportunity today to announce/remind everyone that the submission period for the Winter 2019 issue of Tenkara Angler is officially open!

TA Winter 2019 CFS

While the submission process never technically closed, I like to make these posts about a month prior to the deadline, in this case December 13th, 2019.

As always, this issue will reflect the interests of the tenkara community at large, so as long as the content – articles, photos, etc… – is tenkara, fixed-line, or conservation themed, all is fair game.

Also, the influx of reader photos not related to articles over the past few issues have been great. I’d love to receive more of those to highlight in their own section of the magazine.

Screenshot 2019-11-02 at 9.23.59 PM

Submissions can be sent to mike@tenkaraangler.com, and more information on the submission process can be found HERE.

Water Problems In Washington

Brittany Aäe is a friend of Tenkara Angler magazine. She’s not only been a frequent contributor to prior issues, but is also one of the most rad outdoor athletes I’ve ever had the pleasure of interacting with.

She reached out to her friends, sponsors, and publications such as Tenkara Angler yesterday, desperately trying to get the word out about a water rights issue that has hit her close to home.

“…my neighbor thinks he has the legal right to sell the Chewuch River. This is my home river where I fish twice a day in the summer and in which my child learned to swim. I take solace here, I worship here, the Chewuch sings me to sleep at night with my windows open. This is my sacred place and nothing is more urgent to me than protecting its right to continue flowing without corporate ownership…”

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Water rights issues can certainly be difficult to navigate, the notion of public vs. private, recreation vs. utility vs. agriculture, it’s not particularly easy to understand. I can’t even pretend I do. Especially in a day when it seems like more and more of the lands we consider sacred are being prospected, developed, or sold to the highest bidder.

If you’d like to read more about this specific issue, there is an excellent article in The Seattle Times that outlines some of the finer points of debate, including about half way through, a deep dive into the Lundgren Limited Family Partnership who are at the root of the topic in the area Brittany calls home, the Methow Valley.

2019-10-27 20_40_35-Wall Street spends millions to buy up Washington state water _ The Seattle Times

After reading the article, you’d like to take action, I’d recommend contacting your local Representative and/or Senator. Even should you live outside of Washington State, letting your local government know your stance on water and natural-resource related topics is of great importance, particularly before those issues arise. Believe me, I know, I live in Florida…

Fall 2019 Photo Dump

One of the more popular posts following the release of the Summer 2019 issue was the one that contained all of the photo contest participants in one entry. While there was not a photo contest for the Fall 2019 issue, there was a lot of stellar photography. So I figured I’d do the same here, pulling all of the wonderful shots (plus a few extras) from the magazine.

Enjoy!

Adam Klagsbrun Photo

Brian Lindsay Photo

Brad Trumbo Photo

Adam Klagsbrun Photo

Patrick Wrath Photo

Bob Long Photo

Rory Glennie Photo

Brian Lindsay Photo

Jim Tignor Art

Rory Glennie Photo

Adam Klagsbrun Photo

Brian Lindsay Photo

Adam Klagsbrun Photo

Rory Glennie Photo

Karel Lansky Photo

Adam Rieger Photo

Andy Vinnes Photo

Matthew Kolb Photo

Adam Klagsbrun Photo

Dennis Vander Houwen Photo

Mark Phillips Photo

Bob Long Photo

Mark Phillips Photo

Bob Long Photo

Jim Tignor Art

Adam Trahan Photo

Mark Phillips Photo

Adam Klagsbrun Photo

Rory Glennie Photo

Adam Klagsbrun Photo

Mark Phillips Photo

Adam Klagsbrun Photo

Andy Vinnes Photo

Dennis Vander Houwen Photo

Jim Tignor Art

Matthew Kolb Photo

Adam Klagsbrun Photo

Adam Trahan Photo

Andy Vinnes Photo

Jim Tignor Art

Adam Klagsbrun Photo

Michael Agneta Photo

Adam Klagsbrun Photo

Michael Agneta Photo

Bob Long Photo

Brian Lindsay Photo

Sigfried Forster Photo

Bob Long Photo

Brad Trumbo Photo

Adam Klagsbrun Photo

Rory Glennie Photo

Brad Trumbo Photo

Adam Rieger Photo

Adam Klagsbrun Photo

Jim Tignor Art

Adam Klagsbrun Photo

Sigfried Forster Photo

Shaun O’Keefe Photo

Noah Trahan Photo

Adam Rieger Photo

Brad Trumbo Photo

The Fall 2019 Issue of Tenkara Angler is Now Live!

It’s here, the Fall 2019 issue of Tenkara Angler magazine has been published and is ready for review.

Tenkara Angler Fall 2019 - Spread Web.jpg

While the submissions came in at a bit of a slower pace, I was really happy with the end result. I think you will be too.

There are some really strong tenkara-themed articles from the 3-headed Adam (Klagsbrun, Rieger, and Trahan) as well as new author, Brian Lindsay. Plus, Jim Tignor returned with some new digital art.

On the essay side, Dennis Vander Houwen, Andy Vinnes, and Mark Phillips each contributed entries that touch on tenkara, but also hit on more important, largely personal narratives.

There’s some fixed-line goodies too! Rory Glennie explains how to fish an estuary, Brad Trumbo successfully targets salmon, and Bob Long once again tackles smallmouth bass!

Finally, we had a few reader submitted images that sort of stood alone, so I created a special section just to feature them. I think this might become a recurring section, so don’t be shy about sending in your photos for the winter issue!

As usual, the Summer issue will be available as an e-magazine over at Issuu, HERE.

And also available for sale as a physical magazine and PDF download in the Blurb bookstore, HERE.

Enjoy!

Tenkara Today: A Book by Morgan Lyle

It’s great when new print material on tenkara becomes available… and I’ve been waiting for this one for quite some time.

Tenkara Today (by Morgan Lyle via Stackpole Books), is not your typical tenkara paperback. Yes, it’ll give you the basics of tenkara’s Japanese origins and pointers of how to use your tenkara equipment, but it also digs much deeper into the personalities that have molded tenkara’s introduction into the west. Some familiar names appear, such as Daniel Galhardo and Chris Stewart, but some others that may not be quite as well-known do as well. It’s much more of a biography of the last ten years of tenkara as it is an instructional manual. And as a history buff, it’s great that this has been documented.

2019-09-24 23_24_40-Fishing - Google Drive.png

Per the publisher’s website:
“Since tenkara was introduced to the United States in 2009, it has become a rapidly growing trend, and many anglers have adapted the traditional Japanese techniques for waters in the United States. This comprehensive book covers the current state of tenkara—the best flies, the equipment, and essential techniques. It also tells the stories of the people who brought tenkara to America, and examines this eastern method’s place in the western sport-fishing world. Non-anglers and experts alike will find it fascinating, informative, and fun.”

In any event, I’d highly recommend giving it a read. I was forwarded a preview copy a few months back and enjoyed it immensely. It’ll be nice to now be able to order a print copy to add to my tenkara & fly fishing book library.

Plus, if you do enjoy this book, be sure to check out Morgan Lyle’s Simple Flies: 52 Easy-to-Tie Patterns That Catch Fish, a book that not only has great application for fixed line fly anglers, but was also highlighted through an interview in the Winter 2015-16 issue of this magazine.

Morgan Lyle speaking at the 2019 Tenkara Summit