Click to view our Accessibility Statement or contact us with accessibility-related questions

Tenkara fishing in alpine lakes

more_vert
Does anyone here have experience fishing with a Tenkara at a high alpine lake? I have not tried, but want to give it a shot and my lake fishing expertise doesn't extend far beyond chucking a castmaster as far as I can. I wonder if there is a nymphing strategy that would work, or maybe a technique for pulling something like a leech or wooly bugger through the water??
6
4
remove_red_eye
359

search
close
flyfishxprt
7
Jul 20, 2016
I have fished mountain lakes with tenkara rods a number of times. It's obvious that you must find areas close to shore so look for streams going in or out and cruising lanes near shore. Fishing from a boat or float tube is another option. Dry flies, terrestrials or dry/nymph 2-fly rigs work great. Small nymphs or scuds under strike indicators are particularly effective on breezy days. Use small bead head leeches and streamers too. Since you can't strip the line in, just sweep or twitch the rod tip slowly with occasional pauses. Again, use an indicator if the hits are subtle. Soft hackles or kebari work well twitched or wind drifted.
Todd.Haferkamp
6
Jul 20, 2016
flyfishxprtWow, this is perfect!! Sweeping with a leech or streamer is an interesting idea, and i'll definitely give it a shot. Thanks!
idoc72
1181
Jul 21, 2016
flyfishxprtExcellent advice, especially on the dries, terrestrials, and dry/dropper combo for hungry high altitude trout in summer. I like to fish nymphs/scuds at the inlet streams. Gear wise (if we're talking tenkara), go with a longer rod, and consider the potential for significant wind when picking your line - you might want to take along a heavier fluorocarbon level line, one of the floating tenkara lines (similar to small diameter traditional fly line), or in severe wind, titanium line (never tried it myself).
DannyMilks
4557
Jul 14, 2016
I don't have experience and am also interested to learn more. My Tenkara fishing has been limited to the lakes at lower elevations in northern California, and all of these are probably stocked. I'd love to get some advice before heading to the Sierras
Related Posts
Trending Posts in More Community Picks