How to Fly Fish Without a Reel?

One of the key lessons for any angler is mastering how to operate their fly rod without using a reel. This can be challenging in small streams with fast current. Anglers must remember not to raise their rod high in an attempt to reach the end of their line as this can hinder long line fishing. So, this fishing without a reel is called Tenkara fishing. It is an elegant traditional Japanese method of fly fishing that involves using a long rod with a light line and fly.
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Tenkara fishing is the Japanese minimalist cousin of Western fly fishing. No reel, no fuss—just a long telescoping rod, a fixed line, and a fly. It’s effective in tight mountain streams where casting room is tight and precision matters.
You’re not roll casting across the Madison here—it’s more like dapping flies in pocket water with stealth. It strips things down to the essence: presentation and drift.

A lot of us Western anglers shrug it off as too simple, but don’t let the lack of fly fishing gear fool you—Tenkara got finesse.

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Tenkara rods are specifically designed to be long, flexible and light; unlike western fly fishing rods. Some anglers attempt to force one of these unique rods to fit within traditional western casting strokes.
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These rods store a running line in the butt of the rod while its tip section remains short, providing high levels of sensitivity allowing anglers to track its movement in water while tracking with rod tip.

To begin fishing tenkara, the initial purchase will require some form of line. You have various options available to you when selecting a type and weight of line. Most level lines are made from nylon in various colors ranging from stealthy black to highly visible yellow. Some tenkara anglers have even tried fluorocarbon lines.

These level lines do not feature any taper; they simply form a length of straight line that you attach your tippet to. The best ones possess an attractive stiffness with a slightly wiry texture.

Tenkara fishing offers many possibilities when it comes to selecting and using flies. Although some anglers advocate using just one, that approach may not work where fish tend to be very shy and high gradient.

As such, tenkara anglers will carry around a selection of flies in their pockets before selecting one suitable to fishing conditions in which they find themselves.

Our recommendation: Kebari are iconic tenkara flies. Simple and quick to tie, they differ from standard Western wet flies in that their hackle is reversed - hence the term Sakasa Kebari.

When selecting a tippet it is crucial that it fits your fly. A tippet acts as the final monofilament that joins your fly and your leader. Therefore, its diameter must either match or surpass that of its leader.

Tippet serves a secondary function by adding slack in your line, helping avoid drag when fishing flies. Many anglers prefer an improved clinch knot as an easy and secure method of attaching their tippet to their leader.
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With the casting technique, you will understand the major difference between fly fishing (with reel) and tenkara fishing (without reel). If you are used to using a spinning reel when fishing, the thought of fly casting without one may seem foreign at first. With practice however, you'll soon become an adept fly caster. See? Not that difficult.
Success lies in less power and more timing. Even world-renowned casters experience failed casts from time to time. So, what’s the best way?
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1. Start by placing your hand on the butt of the rod (the bottom section that extends above its guides).
2. Next, take your line in your line hand and open the bail.
3. Finally, accelerate the rod tip backward from 10 o'clock position to 2 o'clock before stopping it.

This will help your line change directions while unrolling itself more fully - before dropping it to present your fly. Here are some other factors to consider during tenkara casting:
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Tenkara fishermen typically employ lines about an arm-length shorter than their rod. A shorter line will give more control during fishing sessions. This eliminates the need for raising your rod high when casting, something with long lines makes it difficult.
Shorter lines will help to keep your fly off of the water for longer. This is helpful in the following condition:
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1. When you’re fishing near low tree cover.
2. When your current is forcing it towards back eddies
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This can make it easier to attractively pulse your fly.
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Tenkara fishing techniques use extremely light lines, typically at least as thin as one strand of silk. This allows anglers to cast high up off of the water, giving more realistic-seeming drifts that allow their fly to look more lifelike. Tenkara fishermen also report greater success when using this method than when fishing conventionally or other techniques.
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Tenkara fishing requires using an adjustable rod of various lengths. Its selection can often be one of the primary obstacles people have when starting out with this form of fishing. A longer rod allows you to easily form a proper fly casting loop and deliver unweighted wet flies to eye level, one of the primary goals of this style of fishing.
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