Short but Sweet

I got out this morning for a quick fish. The whole day was reserved for fishing, but, lately I haven’t been using the whole time.

Today I was torn between fishing tenkara and tight line with my Hardy. Decided to go fish a section that I had hit a few weeks early with my Hardy on its maiden voyage. This time I wanted to hit those same sections with my favorite tenkara rod: The Tenkara Bum 40.

A true comparison was had…

I fished for around an hour and landed 6 nice wild browns. None of them were massive, but one was a nice ‘pounder’ as the guys at Troutbitten would say.

Felt so good about the action that I decided I would head home and was rewarded for that decision when a huge thunderstorm hit right after I got to my Highlander. Sometimes, you just roll the dice and come up lucky.

Speaking of Troutbitten, my friend Dom is doing some really quality work over there. His Fish and Film series, where you get to basically tag along while he fishes (and get some nice footage of his dog too), is one of the most valuable things I think you can find if you are looking to improve your fly fishing…no matter how you like to do it.

Here is the latest video from the ‘YouTube’:

I learn more from him and the crew over at Troutbitten than anywhere else and if you get a chance to go on a guide trip with any of them…take it.

Back to my comparison of the two styles on the same water in pretty similar conditions. Ready? They both work…differently.

Results: I can now confidently say that I can fish any day on any kind of water with that Hardy Ultralite LL rigged up with one of the mono rig variations of Dom’s and I will be versatile and I will have fun without feeling like I missed out on anything.

I am NOT throwing away or selling my tenkara rods (maybe a few). I like fishing different ways on different days (rhymed!).

However, I am going to make a concerted effort as we head into the warmer weather and I primarily fish tail waters to dial in on the mono rig. Why? Cuz I wanna.

Plus, I want to be ready to go to the next level when I fish with Dom in December for our annual winter guided trip (best of the year!). That means I need to fish with intention, practicing the many different techniques so that he can prepare me to improve even further.

Seriously, fish how you want. We don’t have any guarantees about our expirations dates and if you get a chance to get on the water just go. Don't worry about some knucklehead on the internet giving you crap about your life.

Also, check out Dom’s stuff as I guarantee it will make you better no matter what you do. Proud to call him a friend and mentor.

Happy birthday in advance this summer Dom and thanks for everything my friend.

Mike