Redemption!
Same river, different week, different rod and a very different result
What a difference a week can make, or frankly, a season. I have struggled on tailwaters during the summer months and especially last week. Yesterday, however, was a different story.
I got the opportunity thanks to my wonderful wife Jocelyn to take Friday and go fly fishing. Her support is amazing and she has seen the results in my business improve since I came back to the sport…even if she gets frustrated by the amount of gear I buy.
The decision was made with my friend Jeremy to go ahead and fish the Smith River in near Basset VA. We had both fished it previously, myself last week, and were comfortable with it fishing out logistical requirements as Jeremy needed to be back in the ‘Noke by 2pm. Off we went.
This trip was different from last week in one big way: I was fishing my ‘new’ Riverworks ZX4 Pro Tenkara rod. For those that won’t click the link here is the 411. In my opinion (and others) the ZX4 is one of the premier tight line nymphing rods in the world. I was very fortunate, because of the power of community, to be able to buy mine used (it looks brand new) from one of the most trusted people in the Tenkara community at a nice price. He knows who he is and I am very blessed that he offered to sell it to me.
At any rate, this rod has been on my wish list since I discovered Tenkara and I was very, very excited to see how it performed.
In short, it was amazing. I have had a chance to check the rod out on a guided trip with Rob Worthing, but this would be my first chance to fish it on my own and it didn’t disappoint at all.
If you haven’t fished the Smith in the particular section I was on you wouldn’t know that it is chock full of wild brown trout, but, that they are generally on the smaller size. However, they are full of spunk and so beautiful. I caught 7 in a couple of hours and that is my best result in that particular river ever.
Rod review: accurate and, imho, incredible at the hookset. I can’t remember the last time I set the hook on every fish and had none get off. I felt in control and confident on every cast and even caught my PB brown trout for the Smith yesterday. The rod was amazing at controlling the fish and quickly bringing them to net and releasing them in pretty serious current.
I also think one of the reasons I fished better than last week was because I was all in on Tenkara yesterday. My preparation for the trip, my approach on the water and my mindset were locked in and I had zero distractions. I freely acknowledge that my 10’ 4wt Sage rod with reel is a much more versatile tool. However, I fish better with my Tenkara rods because there is something that comes alive in my brain when I know I don’t need to worry about the reel and line. I become more creative and I am so much more at peace.
Now that I am fishing my dream rod for nymphing and that I have my dream small stream rod on order straight from Japan, I don’t have any lingering concerns about my equipment…and after the expert instruction from guides like Rob W and my friend Tom Sadler, I know my skill will continue to improve.
Now if I could only figure out my pack system. I love my waist pack because it carries my favorite net the best (Fishpond Nomad Emerger), but it sucks for carrying water. I just hate the feeling of having a lot of weight hanging off my ass. My Umpqua hip pack fits the best of all the ones I have tried, but I never, ever drink enough when I bring my water filter/bottle.
Unfortunately, the only way I drink enough is if I have a hydration bladder in a pack. Currently, this means I am stuck with my Fishpond Ridgeview pack and either the vest attachments (I don’t like) or the chest pack (I sort of like) to keep my gear. The problem is that I don’t like having a lot of crap in front of me even though the access to stuff is so much better than with the hip pack…I am always afraid of dropping crap into the river while I contort myself to get gear.
The solution I am exploring is the Simms Guide Vest. I know I can carry the bladder in the back pocket and run it over my shoulder and I think the layout of the pockets will suit me. I just don’t want to spend the $220 on another freaking system.
How do you all carry your gear on the water? Want to go fishing sometime?
Mike
As you know I am in my 70’s and have fly fished for about 60 years +/-. I have become, with great effort, a minimalist. While I don’t always get it right, I usually put the most likely to use flys in one of those little plastic snap lid boxes that fly shops used to give you and leave my boxes in the car. I don’t always carry a net since I am going to release anyway. My water always goes with me but I always have more in my vehicle. The older,and not necessarily wiser you get, the lighter your tackle will become.
I keep my carry incredibly minimal, especially when tenkara fishing. I use a Roman packs chest pack. Very small pack. Holds a box of about 100ish flies, nippers, hemos, my cel phone, and a couple spare lines on line cards. I then dangle some florant and a cork to hold my used flies. I keep it incredibly minimal.