The speaker this month is Luong Tam, a rod designer and maker who has been fly fishing since the 90’s, became “hooked” on Tenkara, and ultimately started his own company, Tenkara Tanuki Rod Company. He has studied under the living Tenkara legend, Masami Sakakibara, and developed rods that are fun and simple to use. He believes fly fishing with Tenkara rods is a modern way of fly fishing today,

Understanding the Tenkara system helps to get the best use of the rod. Casting is the essence of fly fishing. Tenkara casting is no different; it just has a different set of challenges. Tenkara fishing techniques focus on fly manipulation rather than focusing on matching flies.

In March 2019, Luong spoke at GBF, covering the essence of the Tenkara system, plus casting and fishing techniques. In September 2023, he again spoke about Tenkara, discussing the rods, lines, casting and fishing techniques, and landing fish, based on the science of physics. This month he will talk about fishing small streams with tenkara.

This is the meeting every year when we have tenkara rod casting available up on the hill in front of the clubhouse, with several of our tenkara coaches bringing rods. This time, Luong will be joining us, and bringing along several of his rods that people can cast.