Tenkara novice progress report

[Deleted]

Hi All,
I've been fishing in the Tenkara style for about 6 weeks so I thought I would share my experience so far. Initially I bought an Amago as I fish mainly medium to large rivers. I found this a bit heavy, although I am getting used to it, so recently I got a 12 ft. Iwana as well. Although it is only 1 ft 6" shorter and 0.8 ounces lighter than the Amago, in the hand it really feels a lot lighter and more delicate. Definitely the weapon for tiny dries.
At this time of the year I like to trot worms but the portability of the Tenkara rod makes it easy to take along as well. So far I have used it on 9 days or part days on the Eden, Hodder and Welsh Dee. On 4 of those days I blanked, on the other 5 I had one or two grayling, the best being 45cm which came to the net without too much trouble. Until yesterday they all took a pheasant tail nymph but yesterdays fish was on a Saska Kebari pheasant tail. Next step is fish on dry fly.
Am I hooked ?? most certainly
Cheers
Bill

[custheyder]

Nice to hear of your progress and that you've managed to catch! I keep threatening to take the missus to the Inn at Whitewell and fish the Hodder. I atttended a wedding there and the river looked beautiful. How is the trout and grayling population?

[Deleted]

Hi,
I've not fished the Whitewell stretch but I'm a regular visitor for lunch at the Inn and used to stay there with guests when I was working. I rate it "the best pub in the world". Nowadays they charge you £20 per day as a guest to fish. When old Mr Bowman was the owner it was free but his sons are more commercial. The stretch I fish is the King-Wilkinson estate water above and below
Slaidburn village, £10 per day or £50 per year, ticket from the village post office. It has a good head of both trout and grayling as does the hotel beat. At Slaidburn it is narrow but has some 3 ft deep pools, perfect Iwana water.
Cheers
Bill

[custheyder]

That's good to know. I know the village as I have fished Stocks resi many a time. I'll have to plan a trip.

[pedros]

Scary,

I'm going there for meal with friends this Saturday. Had no idea about the fishing...

[custheyder]

You'll be mesmerised by the river flowing round the back. Stood there in my suit wishing I had waders and rod.

[pedros]

I was a bit reluctant to go as the drive from Chester, then the meal cost...was it worth the expense....

But now I can't wait.

I was working in Durham yesterday and the drive back across the pennines was a tad wet so it may have risen a bit...

[Deleted]

Hi Pedros,
Presumably if you are going in the evening you have a reservation, they don't do reservations at lunch time.
They do a wedding on both Saturday and Sunday nearly ever weekend so, being retired, we avoid the place at
the weekend. The food is great and, for the quality, reasonably priced.
The Hodder is currently 0.7 meters above normal lower down than the Whitewell. How fast it recovers depends on how full Stocks reservoir is.
Enjoy
Cheers
Bill

[pedros]

We actually have got a lunchtime reservation so I believe, but in the main restaurant.....

[Deleted]

Hi Pedros,
I'm jealous, enjoy.
They are good at cooking duck and there is good cook book and wine shop in reception.
Cheers
Bill

[leckie]

Guys,

Just thought I'd add the website to this little forum chat that's going on in this thread....so that those of us who are not in the know.....know now.
www.innatwhitewell.com/

It does look a fabulous hotel / inn in fantastic surroundings .....Pedros enjoy your meal...I'm sure the food will taste great from that establishment...even if they serve up beans on toast ;D

Alex