Tenkara Terms Glossary

A

Aerial Mending

Manipulations of the casting line that are made by adding certain movements to the rod during the cast.

B

Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis)

A species of freshwater Char that is native to the eastern part of North America. They are identifiable by the iconic red spots surrounded by blue halos, and the marble-like pattern on their adipose, dorsal, and tails.

Brown Trout (Salmo trutta)

A species of freshwater fish in the "Salmo" family. Characterized by a dark brown color along the back, that transitions to a lighter brown near the belly, as well as red spots mixed in with the dark brown spots that span the length of the body and into the top of the tail.

C

Casting Line

The main section of line that is used to load the rod in order to make the cast. Usually thicker in diameter, these lines can be made from a variety of materials.

Catch & Eat / Keep

The practice in which an angler keeps their catch for sustenance. State and local rules and regulations often set limits on how many fish can be harvested from a specific waterway.

Catch & Release

A practice in which an angler releases any fish caught. This is often associated with good fish handling practices in a conservation effort to protect and preserve our fisheries

D

Dead Drift

When the fly moves at the same speed of the current without any imparted drag or manipulation influencing it.

Down-current

We use this term to describe where an object is in relation to the direction that the water in a specific spot is moving.

i.e. - "The line is placed down-current from the fly."

Down Stream

When using the term "down stream," we are referring to an object that is in the direction in which the majority of water is flowing.

i.e. - "There were several boulders downstream of where we were standing."

E

Edazawa (枝沢)

The headwaters of small tributaries.

Eddy / Eddies

A current of water running contrary to the main current, often seen as a swirling, circular current or whirlpool.

F

Freestone Stream

Freestone streams and rivers are undammed streams that are fed by rainwater and snowmelt.

Furled Line

A casting line made up of multiple strands of material that are twisted or braided together.

Futsu Kebari

A kebari in which the hackle is perpendicular to the shank of the hook.

G

Gou (号)

Pronounced "Go," this is the Japanese measurement in line diameter. Most often seen on level line, but you may also find it on tippet. You might also find it on the packaging of Japanese rods as a suggested tippet rating for the rod inside the package.

H

Haegashira (蠅頭)

Earliest recorded Japanese term that refers to fly fishing.

Hane-zuri (羽根釣り)

The practice of fishing using artificial flies.

Hatch

When aquatic insects emerge from the water's surface as adults after developing from nymph or pupa forms. This process can also be called "emergence".when aquatic insects emerge from the water's surface as adults after developing from nymph or pupa forms. This process can also be called "emergence". This also extends to the presence of terrestrial insects, as well as other food forms for fish.

Headwater(s)

The source of a stream or river

High-Gradient Stream

A tributary of water that flows down a moderate to high-gradient landscape. These types of streams are often characterized by riffle/run patterns.

Hook Set

When an angler makes a sudden lifting motion to a fishing rod in order to pull the line and anchor the hook firmly into the mouth of a fish once it has taken the fly.

I

J

K

Kawamushi (川虫)

Aquatic insects that inhabit the streams and rivers.

Kazu-tsuri (数釣り)

A term that refers to an angler’s focus on catching greater numbers of fish.

Kebari (毛鉤)

The Japanese word translating to “feathered/haired hook” - or what is known as a “fly” in English

Keiryu-zuri (渓流釣り)

A style of fishing in Japan that uses insects (see kawamushi) collected from the river as bait.

L

Level Line

A casting line that is the same diameter throughout the entire length of the line.

Lillian

The cordage at the tip of the rod that serves as a connection point between the rod and the casting line.

Limestone Stream(s)

A stream that is maintained by underground springs beneath limestone bedrock.

M

Matagi (マタギ)

A nomadic clan of hunters and gatherers from which the shokuryoshi descended from.

"Match the Hatch"

A term used when an angler observes what the trout are actively feeding on, then tries to present the fly in a way that best imitates that food form.

N

O

P

Pocket Water

A section of river that is characterized by boulders or other obstructions that disrupts the current, creating areas of slower moving water known as "pockets."

Pon Pon

A manipulation of the kebari where the angler taps on the rod, imparting a vibration to the fly.

Pool(s)

A slower, deeper section of water.

Q

R

Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

A species of freshwater fish native to Asia and North America. These fish are often identified by the pink stripe that runs along their lateral line. There are many subspecies of rainbow trout, including redband and cutthroat trout.

Riffles

Shallow, fast moving sections of water where subsurface rocks or obstructions cause turbulence that breaks the surface of the water

Rod Action

Action is where the rod bends when weight or pressure is applied. A rod with "fast" action will bend more toward the tip of the rod, while a rod with "slow" action bends further down toward the handle of the rod.

Rod Flex

This refers to where the rod flexes along the blanks. The term is interchangeable with "Rod Action". A "tip-flex" rod will bend more at the tip, while the lower sections will remain rigid. Conversely, a more "full-flex" rod will bend further down into the sections, closer to the handle.

Rod Power / Backbone

This describes the rod's resistance to bending under a given amount of weight. A rod with more "backbone" or "power" will require more weight or pressure for the rod to bend, while a rod with less "backbone" or "power" takes less tension for it to start to flex.

S

Sakasa Kebari

A kebari in which the hackle is swept upward, toward the eye of the hook.

Shokuryoshi (職漁師)

Commercial anglers of Japan who would catch native trout and char to sell to markets and inns.

Spring-fed Stream(s)

A stream in which the flows are regulated by continuous flow from natural springs.

T

Tapered Line

A casting line that’s profile has a difference in diameter between the tip of the line, and the butt section where you attach the line to the lilian.

Taruoshiru (知足)

A term used in Japan, to “know moderation.” It can be applied to any art one practices.

Tegaeshi-ga-ii (手返しが良い)

Translating to “efficient good handling,” this is a style of fishing rooted in tenkara’s background. The style focuses on “elegant, and quick” movement along the stream without becoming too occupied by changing flies, or trying to catch one specific fish.

Tenkara (テンカラ)

A form of fixed-line fishing that originated in Japan.

"Tip-Flex"

Refers to the flex profile, or "action" of the rod. The sections closest to the tip flex more easily than the lower sections of the rod.

- See "Rod Action".

Tributary

A stream that feeds a larger stream, river, or lake.

Tsunuke (ツ抜け)

A term used when an angler catches more than 10 fish.

U

Up-current