Yvon teaches the art of tenkara.
I’ve spent the week at a Patagonia press event held near Ashton, Idaho. Besides learning about the latest and greatest from Patagonia – especially their new women’s 2014 fly fishing line – I’ve been fortunate enough to spend a bit of time on the nearby Fall River with Patagonia owner Yvon Chouinard.
A legend in the outdoor and business industries, Chouinard is writing a book about the art of tenkara, to premier to the public market in the spring. I’ve never been exposed to tenkara, despite hearing about it here and there. In the past two days I’ve found myself, tenkara rod in hand, learning the nuances of the art.
And it is nothing short of astounding. In a short 1.5-hour session in between business today, I caught no fewer than fourteen fish and missed three times that number. I doubled up for the first time in my life with a double rig that the man himself set up for me. We’ve been throwing special soft hackles that Yvon ties… gorgeous flies.
This is definitely something I want to try during my last nine days on the Missouri when I return. I know it’ll garner some weird looks, and I’m curious how it would work on that river.
Experiment time.
We have one last evening in Idaho, and then fly out tomorrow. It’s been a warp-speed event of awesomeness, and I feel very fortunate to find myself in this group. Life is pretty damn strange sometimes. And good.
Five and a half year old Teagan plays with a tenka rod.
Tags: Assignments, Recreation
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Jess, Great overview and great mornings waking up to the Tetons and drinking coffee and talking fishing with you this week. Looking forward to some water time this winter. Mia
Mia, great finally meeting you and Teagan! I’m definitely looking forward to hitting the water with you this winter.