Tenkara Cast
Hosted by Daniel Galhardo, founder of Tenkara USA
Daniel Galhardo started the Tenkara Cast in 2015 to share the stories, techniques and philosophy behind tenkara, the Japanese method of fly-fishing with just a rod, a line and a fly. Over 68 episodes he talks with guides, authors and anglers, answers listener questions, and records from the rivers of Japan.
While the show is no longer recording new episodes, every conversation is here to listen to, with show notes, chapters and full transcripts.
Latest: Conversations: Manzanar Fishing Club
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Episode 119 min
Intro episode: What is tenkara?
Daniel Galhardo introduces tenkara, the Japanese method of fly fishing with a rod, line and fly, and explains why it suits beginners,...
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Episode 1753 min
Tenkara techniques - an overview
Daniel Galhardo describes six ways to present a tenkara fly, from the dead drift to sinking a fly with current, and how...
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Episode 2138 min
Choosing a tenkara rod, tenkara line and tenkara flies
Daniel Galhardo explains how he thinks about choosing a first tenkara rod, level or tapered line, and flies, based on the Tenkara...
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Episode 6342 min
Tenkara Q&A Part 1: Tenkara Rods
Daniel answers common questions about tenkara rods: which to start with, how big a fish you can land, fishing tight streams, big...
The archive
All episodes
Ep. 68Conversations
Conversations: Manzanar Fishing Club
With Cory Shiozaki
Daniel talks with filmmaker Cory Shiozaki about the Manzanar Fishing Club: incarcerated Japanese Americans who slipped out of camp to fish the Eastern Sierra.
Ep. 67Destinations
Destinations: Idaho with Chris Hunt
With Chris Hunt
Chris Hunt, an early U.S. tenkara angler, gives a tour of Idaho's fly-fishing regions, native cutthroat, bull trout and brook trout, and the rods he'd use there.
Ep. 66Conversations
Conversation with Jason Klass and more
With Jason Klass
Daniel talks with Jason Klass of Tenkara Talk about ten years of tenkara, the term 'tenkara masters', fly tying and advice for new anglers.
Ep. 65Skills and how-to
How to fish a mountain stream
Daniel Galhardo explains how to read a mountain stream, avoid snags, get a clean drift, choose rods, lines and flies, and wade and stay found safely.
Ep. 64Skills and how-to
Tenkara Q&A Part 2: Tenkara Lines, Tenkara Flies, and more
Daniel Galhardo answers common questions on line length, level versus tapered line, tippet, knots, choosing a fly, casting and landing fish.
Ep. 63Gear
Tenkara Q&A Part 1: Tenkara Rods
Daniel answers common questions about tenkara rods: which to start with, how big a fish you can land, fishing tight streams, big rivers, rod care and cases.
Ep. 62Gear
All About Tenkara Nets
Daniel explains what makes a tenkara net different, where nets come from, and how he makes one from a single branch, from choosing a tree to finishing and attaching the mesh.
Ep. 61Skills and how-to
Covering Water + a 5-minute Meditation
Daniel explains how he works through a pool, how to stay unseen and what to do in the wind. The episode ends with a guided five-minute meditation.
Ep. 60Skills and how-to
How to Find and Explore New Fishing Waters
Daniel shares how to scout nearby water, from Google Earth and topo maps to the Gaia mapping app, and why watching fish can be as rewarding as catching them.
Ep. 59Stories and philosophy
Social Distancing
Daniel returns to the Tenkara Cast in March 2020 to explain his long absence and to talk about fishing, fly tying and staying close to home during the early days of COVID-19.
Ep. 58Conversations
Tenkara in Salt? A Conversation with Henry Barber + The River Network
With Henry Barber, Nicole Silk
Daniel fishes the Maine coast for striped bass with climber Henry Barber and learns how tenkara rods work in salt water. Then Nicole Silk of River Network explains river cleanups.
Ep. 57Skills and how-to
Tenkara in the Wind + Idaho TU
With Kara Finkler
Daniel shares tips for casting and presenting a fly on windy days, then talks with Kara Finkler about Trout Unlimited's water projects in Idaho.
Ep. 56Conversations
Bikefishing + Central New Jersey Trout Unlimited
With Russ Roca, Bart Lombardo
Russ Roca explains how to combine tenkara and cycling, then Bart Lombardo describes trout, river restoration and chapter work in central New Jersey.
Ep. 55Skills and how-to
5 Tips for Avoiding Frustrations with Tenkara + Colorado Trout Unlimited
With Dan Omasta
Five practical ways to avoid knots, tangles, snags and line trouble while fishing tenkara, plus a conversation on Colorado Trout Unlimited and the greenback cutthroat.
Ep. 54Japan Cast 2018
Japan Cast 2018: Ep.3, From Gifu with Jeremy Shellhorn
With Jeremy Shellhorn
Daniel and designer Jeremy Shellhorn compare notes from Gifu on Hirata-san's color-based fly ideas, Japanese design, and the idea of shuhari.
Ep. 53Japan Cast 2018
Japan Cast 2018: Ep.2, Hokkaido
From Hokkaido, Daniel reflects on fishing waters that resemble home, being guided for the first time, catch and release in Japan, and bears.
Ep. 52Japan Cast 2018
Japan Cast 2018: Ep.1 Arrival and Hokkaido
Daniel opens the Japan Cast series from Hokkaido, where he and Dr. Ishigaki catch trout over 20 inches during a huge mayfly hatch.
Ep. 51Short Cast
Short Cast: News from Tenkara USA
Daniel shares a spring 2018 update: the Hane rod, a patent for the Keeper, a new CEO, the 2019 Tenkara Summit date and the Tenkara Tunes playlists.
Ep. 50Stories and philosophy
On simplicity
With Jeremy Shellhorn, Adam Trahan
Over gin and tonics at the Sow Bug Roundup, Daniel, Jeremy Shellhorn and Adam Trahan ask what simplicity means in tenkara, what goes in a minimal kit, and why it matters.
Ep. 49Short Cast
Short Cast: Garbage
After a banquet full of disposable bottles and foam plates, Daniel asks fly anglers to cut plastic waste with simple, low-cost changes at events and on guided trips.
Ep. 48Destinations
Destinations: Tenkara in Texas, with Chris Johnson
With Chris Johnson
Chris Johnson of Living Waters Fly Fishing introduces Texas Hill Country tenkara: Guadalupe bass, sunfish, Rio Grande cichlids, Brushy Creek and tips for visitors.
Ep. 47Stories and philosophy
What is tenkara? Part 2
Daniel explains why he separates tenkara the tool from tenkara the method, how he defines the method as Japanese anglers practice it, and why it matters for keeping fly fishing simple.
Ep. 46Conversations
Panfish on tenkara with Bart Lombardo
With Bart Lombardo, TJ Ferreira
Bart Lombardo and TJ Ferreira share the rods, lines, flies and techniques they use for bluegill, sunfish and other warm-water fish on tenkara.
Ep. 45Short Cast
Short Cast: Releasing fish, best practices
Simple habits that help released fish survive: land them fast, wet your hands, use a net, keep fish in the water and release them facing the current.
Ep. 44Stories and philosophy
Eclipse and Summit: learning more about tenkara flies
Daniel reflects on the one-fly approach after a trip to see the 2017 eclipse, reports on the sixth Tenkara Summit, and shares a week of very tough fishing.
Ep. 43Stories and philosophy
Van life and bass fishing
Recorded in the tenkara van on day 11 of a Pacific Northwest road trip: life on the road, a bug out in Oregon, and smallmouth bass on the John Day River with Dave Hughes.
Ep. 42Destinations
Driftless with Mike Warren
With Mike Warren
Guide Mike Warren introduces the spring-fed trout streams of Wisconsin's Driftless region: access, seasons, hatches, ticks and gnats, and why tenkara fits.
Ep. 41Gear
The Ito: Daniel's favorite tenkara rod
Daniel explains why the longest rod in the lineup, the Ito, is his favorite, how to fish it at many lengths, and why it handles big fish so well.
Ep. 40Skills and how-to
Fishing small streams and tight waters
Daniel answers a question about very short tenkara rods and explains how to fish tight, overgrown streams by choking up, shortening the line and adapting your cast.
Ep. 39Short Cast
Short Cast: Happy New Year, a look at 2016 and ahead to 2017 for Tenkara USA
In January 2017 Daniel looks back at Tenkara USA's seventh year, explains the quiet stretch on the podcast, and shares plans for the book, the Summit and fly fishing shows.
Ep. 38Stories and philosophy
Catch and release or keep
Daniel explains when he keeps a fish, the rules of thumb he follows, and the handling habits that give released fish the best chance of surviving.
Ep. 37Conversations
Conversations: Japan with Adam Trahan and Adam Klags
With Adam Trahan, Adam Klags
Daniel talks with Adam Trahan and Adam Klags about their September 2016 trip to Japan: sake, a 270-year-old guardhouse, a flooded river, and how to plan your own trip.
Ep. 36Stories and philosophy
My Outdoor Obsessions: Climbing and tenkara
Daniel talks about the two passions he took up as a teenager, rock climbing and fly fishing, and how a small tenkara rod lets him combine them.
Ep. 35Stories and philosophy
Announcement: tenkara - the book
In August 2016 Daniel announces the Kickstarter for his book and describes what it covers: a quick start, history, how-to chapters, stories from Japan and QR-code videos.
Ep. 34Short Cast
Short Cast: Entomology and tenkara
Daniel explains why tenkara anglers pay less attention to matching the hatch, and why understanding how bugs move underwater can still make your presentations better.
Ep. 33Conversations
Conversations: Graham Moran (aka Tenkara Grasshopper)
With Graham Moran
Daniel talks with Graham Moran, the Tenkara Grasshopper, about going from 18 fly boxes to one, guiding with tenkara, and his tips for pulsing a fly and landing fish.
Ep. 32Conversations
Conversations: Tom Rosenbauer, Orvis
With Tom Rosenbauer
Daniel talks with longtime fly-fishing author Tom Rosenbauer about how he came to tenkara, where he likes to use it, and why Orvis chose to offer it.
Ep. 31Stories and philosophy
Taking up new sports
Daniel talks about the intimidation of starting a new activity and why the best way in, for tenkara or anything else, is to keep the gear simple and start playing.
Ep. 30Conversations
Chasing native Colorado trout with Mark Cole
With Mark Cole
Mark Cole explains Colorado's native cutthroat trout, the greenback mix-up, and how he and his wife Judy caught each cutthroat lineage with tenkara rods.
Ep. 29Destinations
Destinations: Montana
With John Geer
Daniel and John Geer tour Montana from a tenkara angler's view, from the Gallatin and spring creeks to Rock Creek, the Blackfoot and Glacier National Park.
Ep. 28Conversations
Conversations: Dave Hughes
With Dave Hughes
Fly-fishing author Dave Hughes explains how he first saw tenkara in Japan around 1992, why he uses it as a form of meditation, and how he fishes it his own way.
Ep. 27Conversations
Conversations: Adam Trahan
With Adam Trahan
Daniel and Adam Trahan trade stories about childhood cane-pole fishing, early online tenkara communities, a trip to Japan, and why tenkara's next level is personal rather than technical.
Ep. 26Stories and philosophy
Philosophy: new rod development
Daniel thinks aloud about the pull between simplicity and the yearly product cycle, and why Tenkara USA releases a new rod only when it has a clear reason to exist.
Ep. 25Skills and how-to
Fishing lakes and ponds
Daniel shares how he approaches still water with a tenkara rod: where to stand, what gear to use, and active and passive ways to fish the fly for trout, bluegill and bass.
Ep. 24Skills and how-to
Wading safety
After a scary first outing in waders, Daniel shares wading safety basics: a tight wading belt, shallow depths, squeezing air from the legs, boot soles and wading staffs.
Ep. 23Short Cast
Big rivers, long lines
Daniel explains how to fish big water with tenkara by lengthening your line gradually, managing slack and landing fish by hand.
Ep. 22Skills and how-to
Winter fishing tips: staying warm
Daniel shares how he stays warm when fishing in winter, from sock layers and rubber-soled boots to gloves, hand warmers and keeping on the move.
Ep. 21Gear
Choosing a tenkara rod, tenkara line and tenkara flies
Daniel Galhardo explains how he thinks about choosing a first tenkara rod, level or tapered line, and flies, based on the Tenkara USA lineup as of late 2015.
Ep. 20Conversations
Interview with John Gierach
With John Gierach
Author John Gierach talks with Daniel Galhardo about discovering tenkara, where it fits among his rods, and whether fly fishing has grown more complicated than it needs to be.
Ep. 19Conversations
An interview with Allie Rae Marriott
With Allie Rae Marriott
Boulder guide Allie Rae Marriott talks with Daniel Galhardo about growing up fishing, finding tenkara, guiding, and bringing more women into fly fishing.
Ep. 18Skills and how-to
Tangles and snags: preventing and undoing them
Daniel Galhardo explains how to avoid snags in trees and water, stop line tangling on the rod, and free a fly when it does get caught.
Ep. 17Skills and how-to
Tenkara techniques - an overview
Daniel Galhardo describes six ways to present a tenkara fly, from the dead drift to sinking a fly with current, and how he cycles through them on the water.
Ep. 16Short Cast
Short Cast: Excuses, part 2
After a slow day on his home water, Daniel Galhardo offers a tongue-in-cheek sequel to his excuses episode, with three more reasons the fish are not biting.
Ep. 15Short Cast
Short Cast: Karma neutralizer, part 2
Daniel Galhardo follows up on the karma neutralizer with gentler ideas: pick up trash on the stream, organize cleanups and take someone fishing.
Ep. 14Destinations
Destination: Italy - travel and tenkara in Italy, a conversation with Vito Rubino
With Vito Rubino
Vito Rubino and Daniel Galhardo cover where to fish in Italy, the native trout, the open season, fishing licenses, and how pesca alla valsesiana compares with tenkara.
Ep. 13Short Cast
Short Cast: Clearing confusion on "tenkara"
Daniel Galhardo separates three uses of the word tenkara: the Japanese fishing method, the Tenkara USA brand, and the descriptive name some rod companies use.
Ep. 12Skills and how-to
Skills: Vision
Daniel Galhardo explains how to train your eyes to find holding water, spot trout and see strikes, using polarized glasses and the habit of looking through the water.
Ep. 11Conversations
Conversations: Go Ishii
With Go Ishii
Go Ishii shares how he found tenkara, learned from Japanese masters, ties and adjusts his flies on the water, and sets up his rod, line and tippet.
Ep. 10Short Cast
Short Cast: Tenkara Summit 2015
Daniel's invitation to the fifth annual Tenkara Summit in Estes Park, Colorado, in September 2015, with a preview of the Japanese guests, clinics and evening events.
Ep. 9Conversations
Conversations: Morgan Lyle on simple flies
With Morgan Lyle
Author Morgan Lyle and Daniel talk about easy-to-tie flies, why impressionistic patterns catch fish, and when the one-fly idea holds up and when it does not.
Ep. 8Short Cast
Short Cast: My gear
Daniel walks through the gear he wears and carries beyond the rod, line and fly, from polarized sunglasses and boots to a water filter, whistle and fire starter.
Ep. 7Destinations
Destinations: Japan - Traveling and tenkara fly-fishing in Japan
With Margaret
Daniel shares what he has learned from years of trips to Japan: the native trout, when to go, fishing licenses, catch-and-keep culture, hot springs, food and getting around.
Ep. 6Conversations
The Flyathlon, with Steve Conrad
With Steve Conrad
Steve Conrad tells Daniel what it was like to run the Rocky Mountain Flyathlon, a trail run with fishing and beer, and how he fished tight creeks with tenkara on the move.
Ep. 5Short Cast
Short Cast: The Karma Neutralizer
Daniel shares his idea of the karma neutralizer: small mishaps, and picking up trash, as a way to balance the harm that comes with catching fish for fun.
Ep. 4Conversations
Music: An interview with Takénobu
With Nick Ogawa (Takénobu)
Daniel talks with cellist Nick Ogawa, known as Takénobu, whose music runs through Tenkara USA's videos, about how they met, how he writes and what water sounds like in a song.
Ep. 3Skills and how-to
Tenkara rod breakages and how to repair your tenkara rod
With TJ Ferreira, John Gere, Kirk Dieter, Jesse Thomas, Max Royal, Russell Husted
How tenkara rods usually break, how to prevent it, and how to fix a rod in the field or at home, with customer stories of breakages that did not end the day.
Ep. 2Stories and philosophy
Excuses: why you may get skunked and how to catch fish
A tongue-in-cheek look at why you get skunked, three tricks that tend to bring a bite, and whether a fish really counts as caught. Includes a serious note on warm water.
Ep. 1Stories and philosophy
Intro episode: What is tenkara?
Daniel Galhardo introduces tenkara, the Japanese method of fly fishing with a rod, line and fly, and explains why it suits beginners, backpackers and mountain streams.
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