Tenkara Angler Level Line Podcast
By Tenkara Angler
Tenkara Angler Level Line PodcastMar 31, 2024
Ep. 15: Tenkara Q&A
In Episode 15 of the Tenkara Angler Level Line Podcast, Amanda, Anthony, Matt, and Mike answer listener (& reader) submitted questions from the tenkara community. The topics reviewed include a discussion of furled vs. level lines, a "go to" fly, beginner tenkara skills, rod breakage, Patagonia, bucket list tenkara fishing destinations, and the difference between tenkara vs. fixed line fishing. We really enjoyed this change up in the podcast programming, and hope you like it too. Check it out! Show Notes: 00:10 - Introduction 01:45 - Furled Lines vs. Level Lines (Submitted by Andy) 15:02 - "Go To" Flies (Submitted by Dave) 25:30 - One Tenkara Skill for Beginners (Submitted by Dave) 37:39 - Rod Breakage in the Elements (Submitted by Gary) 44:01 - Patagonia? (Submitted by Dario & Fer) 47:35 - "Bucket" List Tenkara Destinations (Audible by Anthony) 52:22 - Tenkara vs. Fixed Line Fishing (Submitted by Arran) 59:21 - Closing Remarks --- Want to see more? Visit Tenkara Angler
Ep. 14: Finding New Water & Rocky MTN Tenkara
In Episode 14 of the Tenkara Angler Level Line Podcast, Amanda, Anthony, Mike, and Tom cover several topics in a grab bag of conversation. Starting with current events, we discuss the new print issue of Tenkara Angler, the Appalachian Tenkara Anglers fly swap, and an upcoming Tenkara 101 course. The conversation then transitions into a deep dive of what techniques each angler uses to find and scout new-to-them waters. We also play the overrated / underrated game with two topics sent in by a friend. To close, the back half of the podcast features an interview with Casey & Kevin Canfield of Rocky MTN Tenkara to learn a little bit about their backgrounds, their interest in tenkara, and the direction they're taking the company.
Level Line Podcast Episode 14 Show Notes:
00:10 - Introduction
01:12 - Current Events
09:40 - Scouting Water
28:07 - Overrated / Underrated
40:59 - Q&A Ask
42:40 - Interview with Rocky MTN Tenkara
48:50 - Fishing in New Mexico
51:38 - Rocky MTN Tenkara's Niche
54:35 - Rod Lineup - Chico & Rio
1:00:34 - Conservation
1:02:38 - Where to Find Rocky MTN Tenkara
Ep. 13: Cold Weather & Book Reports
In Episode 13 of the Tenkara Angler Level Line Podcast, Anthony, Matt, Mike, and Tom discuss several different topics of note including upcoming tenkara community events, cold weather fishing, overrated / underrated, what books influenced their tenkara, and then wrap it up noting our Tenkara USA Amago giveaway and the conclusion of the Riverworks Oni conversion program. Check it out!
Level Line Podcast Episode 13 Show Notes:
00:12 - Introduction
00:39 - Upcoming Tenkara Events
08:29 - Cold Weather Fishing
24:56 - Overrated / Underrated
42:35 - Books That Influence Your Tenkara
55:54 - Tenkara USA Amago Giveaway
56:51 - Riverworks Rod Co. Oni Conversion Program
58:45 - Closing Remarks
Ep. 12: The Little Things
In Episode 12 of the Tenkara Angler Level Line Podcast, Anthony, Matt, and Mike chat about the "little things" in their fishing that make a BIG difference in how productive their outings become. They also discuss some holiday presents, the winter fly box, fantasy tenkara gear, play another round of overrated / underrated, and outline the 2024 Oni Tenkara Intensive in North Carolina.
Also, there's a little contest Anthony is generously running, but you'll need to listen to the podcast and comment on our YouTube video to enter. Check it out! Level Line Podcast Episode 12 Show Notes:
00:12 - Introduction
00:29 - Holiday Gifts
Nirvana Vise | Ragnarok | Chota Cloaks | Hill People Gear | Steel Bison
06:49 - The Little Things
Orvis Guide to Reading Trout Streams
Reading Trout Water (Dave Hughes)
29:05 - Winter Fly Box
36:24 - Fantasy Tenkara Gear
Tom on TenkaraTalk
44:18 - Overrated / Underrated Game
1:00:45 - 2024 North Carolina Oni School
1:06:01 - Free Foam Spool Contest
1:07:34 - Closing Remarks
Ep. 11: Highlights & Hijinks!
In Episode 11 of the Tenkara Angler Level Line Podcast, Anthony, Matt, and Mike chat about their memorable 2023 tenkara fly fishing seasons and look ahead to 2024. They also discuss some gear picks, merch, and play a fun new game. We’d love it if you’d listen and play along!
Let us know if Mike or Matt is right regarding the topic of “fishing snacks”… but you’ll have to watch or listen to see what we mean. Whichever side you choose we hope you enjoy!
Level Line Podcast Episode 11 Show Notes:
00:12 – Introduction
00:45 – Go To Tenkara With Us?
Tenkara Angler Article / Nikko Tenkara Article
06:12 – Contrasting Styles
12:30 – Look Back & Ahead – Anthony
Dave’s Guitar Store
17:16 – Look Back & Ahead – Matt
Personal Best Driftless Trout Video
19:42 – Look Back & Ahead – Mike
Dahlonega, GA / Helen, GA
25:33 – Overrated / Underrated Game
44:33 – Retro Driftless Designs
Merch on Spreadshop
46:12 – Standout Gear Picks of the Year
Riverruns Wader Gaiters
DRAGONtail Kaida
DRAGONtail Mutant
Tenkara USA Satoki
Wet Wading Small Streams
51:31 – Tenkara USA UKIYO
54:28 – Closing Remarks
Ep. 10: New Gear, Events, & A Lot of Rambling!
In Episode 10 of the Tenkara Angler Level Line Podcast, Anthony and Mike chat about (semi) current events in the tenkara and fixed line fly fishing community. Topics such as new gear releases, recent gatherings, and early summer fishing outings are discussed in depth, with quite a bit of meandering (guitars, woodcarving, and hot dogs), just for good measure.
That’s right, no special guests and no pre-produced segments this time, just two friends talking about tenkara. Make sure to check the “show notes” at the end of this article for links to some fo the topics referenced. We hope you enjoy!
Show Notes & Links:
01:33 – New Product Launches
Riverworks Rod Co. / Oni Convert Program
17:11 – Recent Events (Focus on Driftless)
2023 Oni School Recap (TenkaraTalk)
2023 Great Driftless Tenkara Campout
Five Days in the Driftless (Article)
Dave’s Guitar Shop / Beanie’s Diner / Borgen’s Cafe
Anthony’s Gear: Tanuki 375 / Tenkara Rod Co. Kita 330
Mike’s Gear: Wader Gaiters / Oni Honryu 395 / DRAGONtail Kaida
43:41 – Summer Fishing
Do You Keep A Fishing Journal? (Article)
Maggie Valley Fly Fishing Festival
Valley Forge National Historical Park
The Pass Lake Wet Fly (Article)
TYROAM Wading Staffs / Buggins / YGK Ultra Sight Line
Unsuspecting Minimalist (Article)
1:09:39– Tenkara Angler Housekeeping
Rocky Mountain National Park / Shenandoah National Park
Content Contributions / Print Magazine
Want to see more?
Tenkara Angler: https://tenkaraangler.com/
Ep. 9: Listen In - Septomber: A Tale of Three Trips - with Paul Vertrees & Dave Rosset
In Episode 9 of the Tenkara Angler Level Line Podcast, we pivot a little bit and introduce a taste of our "Listen In" audio articles as featured on the Tenkara Angler YouTube channel. This particular recording was a little bit longer than most, so we thought it would lend itself well to podcast form, almost like a mini audiobook. Enjoy!
Septomber: A Tale of 3 Trips - Written by Paul Vertrees and read by Dave Rosset
Notes & Links:
00:58 – Introduction
02:54 – Trip One: The Gore Range
06:09 – Trip Two: The Arctic Circle
15:45 – Trip Three: The Front Range
19:59 – About the Author, Paul Vertrees
Want to see more?
Original Article: https://tenkaraangler.com/2022/04/11/septomber-a-tale-of-three-trips/
Listen In Playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsMrTIA9H5kut084rrzrNSKYRUgTnHe_s
Tenkara Angler: https://tenkaraangler.com/
Ep. 8: Fish Stories Volume 2 - Nick Feller, Ryan Kimball, Dave Rosset, Isaac Tait & Jeff Lomino
In Episode 8 of the Tenkara Angler Level Line Podcast, Mike sits down with some of his friends to gather more fish stories. From hard earned fish, to environmental challenges, to first and personal bests, these stories are a great listen. And don't miss the bonus story at the very, very end!
A big thanks to guests Nick Feller, Ryan Kimball, Dave Rosset, Isaac Tait, Kris Franqui, and Jeff Lomino for telling us their stories!
Show Notes & Links:
00:55 – Nick Feller (NorCal Tenkara)
04:56 – Ryan Kimball (My Tenkara)
13:11 – Dave Rosset
23:50 – Isaac Tait (Fallfish Tenkara / Ilovetofish)
28:35 – Kris Franqui (Tenkara on the Trail)
42:48 – Jeff Lomino (Riverworks Rod Co.)
52:20 – Post Credits Bonus Story
Want to see more?
Tenkara Angler: https://tenkaraangler.com/
Ep. 7: Q&A with Tenkara Angler and Guest Paul Vertrees
In Episode 7 of the Tenkara Angler Level Line Podcast, Anthony & Jason give some topical updates and field listener questions with the help of Mike, Matt, Tom, and special guest Paul Vertrees of Royal Gorge Anglers. Questions include clear tenkara lines, euronymphing, "go to" tenkara rods, getting kids started with tenkara, the future plans for the podcast, and a deep dive into tailwater tenkara.
Show Notes & Links
00:43 – Tenkara Angler Updates
03:05 – Upcoming Events
10:25 – Clear Tenkara Lines
16:09 – Euronymphing
21:27 – "Go To" Tenkara Rods
32:32 – Getting Kids Started with Tenkara
37:15 - Choosing Rods & Lines
45:57 - Podcast Plans
46:27 - Tailwater Tenkara with Paul Vertrees (Royal Gorge Anglers)
For More: Tenkara Angler
Ep. 6: Fish Stories - Jared Willadsen, Dre Fornasiero, Jonathan Antunez, Arran Kerr & Adam Trahan
In Episode 6 of the Tenkara Angler Level Line Podcast, Mike sits down with a handful of friends to talk about their most memorable fish stories.
From first fish, to big fish, to hard earned fish, to the fish that got away, these stories certainly capture the imagination. A big thanks to guests Jared Willadsen, Dre Fornasiero, Jonathan Antunez, Arran Kerr, & Adam Trahan for sharing their stories! It's interesting to hear the backstory of what makes a fish memorable to each angler. I know more than one of the stories will hit home. You're not going to want to miss this episode.
Show Notes & Links
01:20 – Jared Willadsen, Tenkara Genki (YouTube)
04:44 – Dre Fornasiero, New School Tenkara (Facebook)
20:10 – Jonathan Antunez, Trout Conjurer (Instagram)
25:00 – Arran Kerr, Appalachian_AF (Instagram)
28:19 – Adam Trahan, Tenkara-Fisher (Website)
39:59 – Mike’s Story, Troutrageous! (Website)
For More: Tenkara Angler
Ep. 5: White Mountains Tenkara Campout - Bill Holleran, Amanda Hoffner, & Nate Camp
In Episode 5 of the Tenkara Angler Level Line Podcast, we check in with Bill Holleran, Amanda Hoffner, & Nate Camp to recap the first White Mountains Tenkara Campout held June 10-12, 2022.
Hosts Mike Agneta & Matt Sment sit with Bill, Amanda, & Nate to get an update on a recent tenkara gathering in New Hampshire. With other events taking place in North Carolina and Wisconsin, this was the first organized community event to be held in New England in quite some time. Bill gives us background on his company, Red Brook Tenkara, the White Mountains, as well as the origins of the campout, while Amanda & Nate introduce themselves and discuss their tenkara histories and role in the weekend.
The meandering conversation also covers topics such as fly patterns, gear preferences, and techniques for fishing in the White Mountains, as well as hub cities, travel details, and plans for next year’s event!
Show Notes:
01:10 – 2022’s Tenkara Event Calendar
03:45 – Intro Bill Holleran, Red Brook Tenkara
05:35 – Intro Amanda Hoffner, Lady Tenkara Bum
07:10 – Intro Nate Camp, Camp Kebari
08:44 – White Mountains Campout overview
14:55 – The “Incident” on the water
16:35 – Fly tying with Amanda & Nate
21:05 – Strike indicators & attractor flies
23:08 – Confidence flies
24:16 – Beadhead strategies
28:50 – Rod Choices & Bad Axe love
37:12 – Community & social aspect to events
40:55 – Nate’s knife hand!
41:34 – Timber & Fins, North Country Angler, Yonah Packs, Rod Raffle
50:50 – Tenkara Outlaws
52:01 – A traveler’s guide to the White Mountains
55:44 – Closing remarks
57:18 – The legend of Shyman
Want to See More?
Red Brook Tenkara
Lady Tenkara Bum (Instagram)
Camp Kebari (Etsy)
Ledge Brewing Co.
Timber & Fins (Instagram)
North Country Angler
Bad Axe Rod
Ep. 4: Mike Lutes - Co Founder, Badger Tenkara
In Episode 4 of the Tenkara Angler Level Line Podcast, we check in with Mike Lutes to see what his post Badger Tenkara fixed-line fly fishing experiences look like today.
Mike Lutes brings a unique perspective to fixed-line fly fishing. Living in Wisconsin, he has access to many different species of fish – from the trout of the Driftless, to smallmouth of the rivers, and even the fish of a thousand casts, the muskie. In this podcast interview Mike Agneta and Matt Sment speak to Mike Lutes about his background in fly fishing, the progression toward tenkara, a top secret fishing location in Wisconsin, his gear choices and tenkara “style”, targeting machaca in Costa Rica, the origin story of Badger Tenkara, as well as some quick hit questions on favorite species, flipping guitars, conservation, natural phenomena, advice for a new tenkara angler, and hair care tips. In all, it’s a little over forty minutes of tenkara and fixed-line fun we’re certain you’ll enjoy!
Show Notes & Links:
01:40 – Intro to Mike Lutes, co-founder Badger Tenkara
02:54 – Mike’s intro to fly fishing
05:07 – The transition to tenkara & top secret water
06:55 – Mike’s local waters and species
08:17 – Trout vs. Smallmouth bass gear
09:14 – Props to Tenkara Times!
10:34 – Mike’s tenkara style & choice of flies
11:20 – Chucking streamers
14:23 – MACHACA!
18:00 – Fixed line + boats
20:05 – Origin story of Badger Tenkara
26:40 – MWTF & the tenkara community
30:48 – Post Badger Tenkara
33:00 – Mike’s favorite species
33:54 – Flipping guitars
35:43 – Interesting natural world happening
37:50 – Bigfoot meets Tenkara Gandalf
38:51 – Trout Unlimited and Project Green Teen
39:38 – Advice for a novice tenkara angler
40:10 – Mike’s glorious flow
Want to see more?
Ep. 3: Dennis Vander Houwen - Tenkara Path
In Episode 3 of the Tenkara Angler Level Line Podcast, Matt & Mike have the pleasure of spending time with tenkara enthusiast, philosopher, and magician (not an exaggeration), Dennis Vander Houwen.
While Dennis has previously written articles for Tenkara Angler, including “The Three Paths” and “Finding Happiness with Less,” those that have been around the tenkara scene are surely more familiar with Dennis from his always interesting blog, Tenkara Path, or perhaps the popular wooden line spools available in his Etsy shop. In this interview, we talk to Dennis about his fishing background, his favorite type of water, how the simplicity of tenkara sets the standard for his everyday life, his blogging background, experiences fishing with friends, woodworking, brook trout, art, bread baking, and bigfoot!
Show Notes & Links:
01:14 – Intro to Dennis Vander Houwen, Tenkara Path
04:44 – Meditative aspects of tenkara
09:07 – Purpose for Tenkara Path blog
10:20 – Connecting simplicity to everyday life
11:30 – Finding Happiness with Less
14:21 – Unnecessary gear, line spools, & “One Fly”
17:09 – Favorite type of water, Trip to Wyoming
21:45 – Fishing with friends… and Graham too
24:55 – Woodworking / Tenkara Path Etsy shop
31:30 – “Master of the Illusionary Arts”
35:40 – COVID opening doors
37:44 – The tenkara community
39:19 – Dennis’ favorite fish species
40:39 – Hobbies – Art, bread baking, foraging, and a patient wife
43:29 – Most impressive natural sight while fishing
44:46 – Bigfoot!… and Dennis’ son as our next guest
47:49 – Advice for new tenkara anglers
50:19 – Ways to find Dennis – Blog, Instagram, Facebook, Etsy
Want to see more?
Ep. 2: Tom Davis - Teton Tenkara
If you've ever searched for a tenkara rod review online, you've undoubtedly come across Tom Davis' website Teton Tenkara. It is by far the most comprehensive source of tenkara rod information, with reviews of over 150 models! In Episode 2, Tom spent a little time catching us up on his fly fishing & tenkara background, his favorite types of water and gear preferences, and obviously a lot of rod talk. We cover the Rod Flex Index, a few of Tom's favorite rods (as well as a few not so faves), and of course his role in the development of the DRAGONtail Mizuchi. We then close out the interview with a few "quick hit" questions before saying goodbye. In all, it's slightly over an hour of entertaining conversation!
Show Notes:
0:01:34 - Intro to Tom Davis, Teton Tenkara
0:03:27 - Guatemala Mission
0:05:31 - Tom's fly fishing background
0:12:25 - Everyone's first tenkara rod
0:17:15 - Favorite types of water
0:22:02 - Tom's tenkara style
0:29:30 - Specialized rods & #nottenkara
0:32:27 - The origins of Teton Tenkara & the rod reviews
0:37:00 - Rod Flex Index
0:38:15 - Saint Chris Stewart of the Penny Scale
0:42:55 - Tom's Favorite Rods
0:51:52 - Tom's Not So Favorite Rods
0:53:45 - The Mystery Rod
0:56:48 - The DRAGONtail Mizuchi
0:58:40 - Quick Hits: Favorite Species, Conservation, Hobbies, Sasquatch, Advice
1:04:35 - Closing remarks
Want to see more?
Ep. 1: Tom Bayly - Tenkara Adventure Outfitters
Tom Bayly from Tenkara Adventure Outfitters was kind enough to "meet" with Matt & Mike for an interview that we know you'll enjoy. In this discussion we cover Tom's personal background, his competitive archery career, and a nice mix of hunting & fishing stories. He goes on to explain his jump from tenkara angler to retailer, profiles some TAO rod models, and finally we finish up just chatting for a spell.
Show Notes:
01:01 - Intro to Tom Bayly, Tenkara Adventure Outfitters
03:29 - Tom's competitive archery career
05:45 - Atlatl - a spear throwing lever
06:19 - Scout tenkara rod in bow quiver
16:03 - Tom's introduction to tenkara
17:54 - Tom's preferred gear set up
22:22 - Tom's Tenkara Angler Interview with Bernhard Niedermair
29:28 - The beginning of Tenkara Adventure Outfitters
33:14 - Classic | Wisco 2 | Bad Axe | Scout | U.N.C. rods
36:52 - Carlos Blatt U.N.C. fishing in Brazil
39:39 - The impact of COVID-19 on business
47:49 - "Dream" fishing destination
51:45 - Trout Unlimited | Backcountry Hunters & Anglers
54:45 - Tenkara Sasquatch in Nebraska?
56:33 - Tom's final remarks
Want to explore more?