Tenkara Summit 2015

A look at what's coming at this year's summit hosted by Tenkara USA
Tenkara fishing

For the fifth consecutive year, Tenkara USA will host their Tenkara Summit on September 19, at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado. The registration is $35.00 and includes lunch.

I attended the first summit in 2010 in West Yellowstone, Montana and helped organize the third summit co-hosted by Mossy Creek Fly Fishing in Harrisonburg, Virginia. I have missed previous “western” gatherings but I know the information and the camaraderie provided will be outstanding.

The summits have been notable for guests from Japan and this year’s summit is no different. Yoshikazu Fujioka and Go Ishii and will be this year’s featured guests. Each brings a special insight into tenkara in Japan and offer a unique perspective on its practice there.

This year’s summit has a strong “kebari” element, so if you are interested in tenkara flies this will be an especially good chance to learn about that aspect of the tenkara way.

According to Tenkara USA, Yoshikazu Fujioka “is the leading authority on tenkara flies in Japan.” Fujioka collects tenkara flies and has recreated historical Japanese tenkara flies. He will be giving a tying demonstrations in addition to his presentation on the tenkara flies.

Ishii is a student of Japanese tenkara masters Dr. Hisao Ishigaki and Mr. Sakakibara Masami and will be talking about learning tenkara from these storied masters.

A fly-tying competition is also part of this year’s summit, giving participants a chance to show off their skills and creativity.

With a summit this close to exceptional water of the Rocky Mountain National Park, participants will have a chance before and after (and even during) the summit to wet a kebari or two.

Steve Schweitzer, author of A Fly Fishing Guide to Rocky Mountain National Park will be giving a presentation on the park, giving attendees a chance to hear firsthand where and how to fish.

Here is the full schedule for Sept. 19:

 

8:00-9:00 Check in and Registration
9:15-9:30 Welcome by Daniel Galhardo
9:30-10:15 Go Ishii – tenkara in Japan
10:30-11:15 Yoshikazu Fujioka – all about tenkara flies
11:15-11:40 Q & A with Daniel Galhardo
11:40-2:45 Lunch, clinics and vendors
2:50-3:00 Prize drawings
3:00-3:40 Steve Schweitzer - RMNP
3:40-4:00 Closing remarks for the day
4:00-7:30 Go fish, eat, relax
7:30-10:00 “Woody Creek” Fly-tying evening with competition

Whether you are already an avid tenkara fisherman or are simply interested in tenkara, you should make plans to go to this tenkara gathering.

Additional information and details on accommodations are available on the Tenkara USA website.

Side Notes

A couple of items popped up on the tenkara radar between columns:

Tenkara USA has started posting podcasts. The “Tenkara Cast” is available on the Tenkara USA website and for download on iTunes. You can Subscribe in iTunes or go to the Tenkara USA Soundcloud page.

On a lighter note, if you haven’t seen the Tenkarpa video from Scumliner Media check it out. It is entertaining carp on tenkara action from the glory holes of Beaver Island. Enjoy!

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