How I fish (and why)
I do not fish for pleasure, nor as a sport. I fish when I need the proteins. Either on a long trekking- / kayaking trip or in basecamp. The gear I use is focussed on fishing smaller fish (pan-fish), on creeks, small streams and small lakes. This, typically, are small fish like Trout, Grayling, Perch, Bluegill and Sunfish.
Photo: A Tenkara reel (right), next to conventional fly fishing rods. (@Invercassley Tea Rooms, GlenCassley, Scotland)
I use two setups:
Tenkara fly fishing
A type of fishing, using ‘simple’ gear and thus extremely usefull for backpacking and kayaking. All you need is a rod, line and a fly (no reel). Ideal for small streams. The challenges of Tenkara fly fishing are the precise placement and manipulation of the fly.
- I use short rods.
- Traditionally a special reverse hackle wet-fly is used, which means that the feathers are angled towards the hook so the fly seems to ‘swim’ when pulling the line. My kit typically contains a variety of size 12, 14 and 16 dry and wet flies with barbless hooks.
- Lines are rod specific, but typically I use a rod length, colourfull, 3X – 3,5, fluorocarbon or furled, level line.
- As the line is too thick to tie the fly directly, we use a Tippet. Mine are mostly 4X, 100cm, clear, fluorocarbon lines.
Traditional (Reel) fly fishing
I use a reel on lakes and larger rivers, enabling me to cast further and cover more water.
- I use 9′ rods
- Line #4, Weight Forward
- Leader 5x, Tapered
- Tippet 5x, Floating, Tapered?
- Fly size: 12 Dry, Nymph and Midge Emerger
My accessories kit contains Line Cutterz, Forceps/Scissors, spare lines and Tippet.
 Brown Trout fishing in the peaty waters of the Linn Falls at Aberlour, Spey Valley, Scotland. |  Trout fishing above Ennistymon Cascades, County Clare, Ireland. |
Tenkara Rods
Aventik Pro IM12 Nano rod
I use the 366cm (12’) version of this Aventik Pro IM12 Nano rod, which collapses down to 37cm (14.8″). At a weight 71.4 grams, it’s truly lightweight. Made from a light 30 ton Carbon this rod is listed as a 6:4 ratio, but feels slightly stiffer (I’d rate it at 6,5:3,5, if that would exist), which is near perfect for my trout fishing technique. It comes with a spare tip.
DragonTail Kaida zx320 Tenkara Pack Rod
The DragonTail Kaida zx320 has some good characteristics. This rod will fit any backpack. A two-lengths zoom rod allows to fish it fully extended in open casting areas or zoom it down one length when casting area is overgrown and tight. It has a medium-soft action, just the right action to make the little mountain trout plenty of fun to catch. It’s great for soft presentation of weightless flies, fishing Trout up to 35cm, or to help fighting the invasive bluegill population (a great pan-fish though).
Rod Specs:
- Carbon Fiber, with a slight blend of fiberglass
- 6:4 or 5:5 action
- Extended lengths: 286,cm, 319cm
- Collapsed Length: 45cm
- Weight: 70 g (17,9 grams per linear meter)
- Rod Tube Length: 48cm
- CCS/RFI: 14 pennies/4.9, 16 pennies/5: Slow, Full Flex
- My lines:
- Level lines, rod length (300cm), weight 3X or 3.5X, 0,2mm, 4,2kg
- Tippet, 100cm, weight 4X, 0,18mm, 3kg
Reel Rods
Fishing bigger stream, Tenkara fishing isn’t allways my first choice. The limited casting dstance limits the types and sizes of water that can be fished. That’s where these sets comes in:
Aventik Travel Fly Fishing Rod
This Aventik USA ‘Rough Fish Series’ Travel Fly Fishing Rod is my go-to reel rod for trout and grayling fishing. I use the 260cm (8’6″), LW4/5, version, in combination with the Aventik Carbon Disc Drag Fly Fishing Reel.
Technical composition:
- Japanese Toray IM12 Nano carbon.
- Portugees Super A-grade cork
- US Pacific Bay Titanium coated Minima tip top and snake feet guides, for smooth casting, minimum friction, and corrosion resistant.
- An up locking, nature stabilized, burl wood reel seat with double lockers system.
- Multi-graphite positioning technology to achieve the best strength and excellent power transfer with great accuracy in casting.
- 6 Section, 6/4 Fast (flexible) action.
Aventik Carbon Disc Drag Fly Fishing Reel
My Aventik Carbon Disc Drag Fly Fishing Reel is the LW3/5 version in Gunsmoke colour.
Technical composition:
- Precision-machined from 6061 aluminum for unmatched strength and durability
- Precision needle bearings on a chrome alloy spindle for exceptionally smooth handling.
- Reliable carbon disc drag ensures infinite control and protects fine tippets.
- 3D spool cutting enhances line capacity, while the recessed frame prevents line scraping.
Moonlit ‘Reel’ Fly Fishing Gear
As an alternative for my Tenkara rods I have a Moonlit Lunar S-GLASS Fiberglass Fly Rod and Moonlit Eclipse Reel combination for ‘reel’ fly fishing.
The Lunar rod, is a 2,3 meter long fiberglass rod. The fast recovering tip, combined with it’s progressive action, make these smooth and accurate casting rods.
The Eclipse reel is very simple to operate. The drag system is easy to set and the reel capacity is more than adequate. I use the #3/#4 reel, which has a 75mm spool, allowing the use 37 meters of 9 kg (20lb) backing, up to 30 meters of WF #3 fly line, 2 meters of leader and some tippet.
Lines
Moonlit Fly Lines
I have a collection of Moonlit Leaders:
- The Featherweight Furled Leader (Light All-Purpose) – 0-3wt / Tip Ring. This leaders is called Medium All Purpose because it will turn over the smallest dry fly with ease, precision, and delicacy. With that it still has the power to turn over small weighted nymphs, allowing you to fish both dry flies, and small nymphs on the same leader. It has the softest landing and best presentation for your fly on the water, and a better, more natural drift due to the lack of memory. This leader is constructed of the finest low-stretch Polyester thread from butt to tip end. It also has a stiffer core material to enhance turn over power but still keep it’s suppleness desired in a furled leader.
- Platinum Featherweight Furled Leader (Light All-Purpose) – 0-3wt / Tip Ring / Fluoro Orange tip Section. A premium dry fly leader. It has the softest landing and best presentation for your fly on the water, and a better more natural drift due to the lack of memory. This leader is constructed of the finest Polyester thread from butt to tip end. To fish dries and float simply add your favorite float paste, or un-treat to fish subsurface. The tippet ring allow for quick and easy transition of tippet. The tip rings very small and light as to not pull your dry fly under the water.
- Platinum Brookie Short Furled Leader – 3-5wt / Tip Ring. Ideal for fishing small creeks and blue line water. An optimal leader for blue line streams & creeks, as well as shorter rods. This leader is made shorter to optimize performance on tighter small streams, as well as shorter rods. The shorter length makes it the optimal choice for shorter rods that cast better with shorter leaders.
- Brookie Short Furled Leader (Blue Line Leader) – 3-5wt / Tip Ring. Ideal for fishing small creeks and blue line water. Optimal leader for blue line streams & creeks, as well as shorter rods. This leader is made shorter to optimize performance on tighter small streams, as well as shorter rods. The shorter length makes it the optimal choice for shorter rods that cast better with shorter leaders.
- The Big Hog Furled Leader (Medium All-Purpose) – 0-3wt / Tip Ring. A perfect blend of Premium Fluorocarbon and Polyester thread to give you the perfect medium all-purpose leader. This leader is ideal for throwing dries, nymphs and small streamers alike. The tippet ring makes the change and transition of different size tippet smooth and effortless.
Tenkara Tippet
As the line is too thick to tie the fly directly, we use a tippet. A thinner than 0,2 mm, 30 cm upto 1 meter, line rated at 3 kg. I use:
- Rio Tenkara Rod Co. Tippets, which comes in 27 meter spools, good for making approximately 45 tippets.
- Moonlit Quality Fluorocarbon Tippet, 27 yards spool of clear 3X Fluorocarbon fly fishing tippet. This line has great durability and cast-ability, high quality at a great price.
Tenkara Flies
Artificial flies are used in tenkara fly-fishing. Tenkara flies (Kebari) do not attempt to match a specific insect. Traditionally a reverse soft hackle wet-fly is used, much like traditional fishers in England (North Country/Yorkshire soft hackle) and Italy (Valsesiana fly fishing) use. This means that the feathers are angled towards the hook so the fly seems to ‘swim’ when pulling the line. Fish seem to be much less selective when taking wet flies than they are when taking dries. It’ll also keep your line tight and off the surface and they’ll provide the resistance necessary to get gentle pulses when you manipulate the fly. My kit includes three sizes: size 14, a smaller size 16 flies and the larger size 12 for when the others don’t work. I use flies without barbs.
Sherpa Flies
My main fly selection consists of Sherpa Kebari flies. I have all of their Tenkara/Kebari flies in sizes 14 and 16, barbless. These are handmade in the Nawalparasi district of Nepal, 100 km west of Kathmandu.
These flies are tied very clean, with small hooks and thin hook wire. They are delicate but strong and they come in neat little plastic boxes. I do not have a particular preferable type. I take a bunch of different ones with me and see which fly the fish prefer. I also use their Tying Materials.
DragonTail Flies
Moonlit Flies
Tools
Aventik Rod & Gear Case
The Aventik fish rod & gear case is my fishing grab bag and holds all my fishing gear, Rods, Lines, Fly cases, Tools and accessories. The rod compartment easily holds 6 rods. The case is well padde, protecting my gear and has plenty of internal dividers and the lid has three 25x23cm internal- and three 23x18cm external zipped pockets. Measuring 80x24x15cm, this case is an easy traveller and is carry-onto luggage.
Premium 1200D fabric and saltwater-proof easy glide nylon YKK zippers are really sturdy and strong. In addition to a handle, it has a adjustable padded shoulder strap. It weighs 2.2 kg.
Aventik Floating Carbon Fiber Landing Net
The Aventik Floating Carbon Fiber Landing Net is an extremely strong and sturdy net, yet moderate in weight at 350g. The overall length of 66cm handles very well and the 46x33x30cm net will hold a decent size Trout or Grayling.It has a non-slip handle coating and a clear rubber net which visually disappears underwater. It floats very well and comes with a strong tether.
Ego Blackwater Trout Net
The EGO Blackwater trout is an awesome net. There is also a unique ruler built into the net that allows you to measure your fish without handling them. The coated mesh protects the slime layer of the fish. This unique feature is perfect for catch and release trout anglers and prevents eating under sized fish! It has a retractable quick-draw tether. It can land a 25 cm trout with ease,weighing circa 300 grams.
Aventik Wading Equipment
The Aventik Foldable Wading Staff is the perfect one for me. After breaking/shattering multiple carbon wading staffs, I found this top grade 7075 ultralight aluminum pole to be a far more reliable option. A coated and adjustable super strong stainless steel core connects all the sections, which can be locked by a brass press button. The (4-section) 140cm full length is perfect for swiftwater crossing and climbing steep river banks. It has a safety marking at 120cm, indicating the absolute safety limit for swiftwater.
The coated and adjustable super strong stainless steel core connects all the sections in prefect match.
Specially designed brass press button locks solidly. A coated and adjustable super strong stainless steel core connects all the sections in prefect match.
An adjustable wrist strap, comfortable grip and self draining pouch complete the package.
While carbon poles are almost impossible to repair while hiking, aluminum poles are not. In case worse comes to worst and this aluminium pole would bend to an extend that the integrity is compromised, I carry a 10cm (16mm internal diameter) piece of aluminium tubing as an easy fix.
Aventik Neoprene Wader Gaiter
The Aventik Neoprene Wader Gaiters offer ample protection whilst wading against sticks, brush, briars, cacti, thorns, stones, and more. Connecting to your belt, hooking to your boots and fitted with velcro, they are an easy fit. Constructed with 5 mm neoprene and non-slip silicone particles at the knees, they are very durable. Using outdoor pants rather than waders, these make me feel a lot safer and potected. For those using waders, these will provide proper protection against punctures as well!
Aventik Puncture Proof Fish Handling Glove
As I’m not a sports fisherman, I fish to kill-prepare-eat. For many, this glove will be a solution by offering protection against hooks, teeth, fins and excellent grip. The added value for me is the cut resistance. Preparing a slippery fish in the field can be a a risky undertaking, but not with this awesome glove. As a bonus, it is very easy to clean. Personally, I do not use the (otherwise practical) magnetic release, but I attach the carabiner to my watchband, providing a tight and secure fit.
The Kevlar and latex coating offers cut-resistance of level 5 (level F), which stands for heavy resistance. Having said that: using cut resistant gloves should never lead to being less attentive and careful when handling sharps. They are a safety measure only.
Øyo Processing Tools
The Øyo Fish Processing Tools are the basic, all you need, tools for in the field cleaning and processing fish. Containing a 15cm long filet knife, an all-purpose knife, scissors and fish bone tweezers in a Cordura sleeve. All easy to clean. The knife is made out of premium steel, with a two-component plastic handle.
I use this in my fishing kayak and on regular fishing beat. A quick rinse usually cleans it sufficiently.
Geoff Anderson WizTools
Left-to-right: Clamp Release, Pean and Tungsten Nippers.
I can’t rave enough about the Geoff Anderson WizTools! Made from Japanese Surgical stainless steel, these are made to last! Well designed practical aids, one can rely on. They are ergonomically comfortable, they can be used in any situation due to their resitance to corrosion and the magnets are strong and secure. (For the photo, I couldn’t position the magnet closer to the nippers without it being drawn shut.)
The WizTool Sharpener, has two sizes V honing tracks for various size of hooks and a flat part big enough to hone your knife. This is a grain 3000 Aluminium Trioxide Ceramic stone and non-corrosive. It weighs 28gr.
The WizTool 175mm Clamp Release will de-barb your hook, crimp split shot, clear the hook’s eye and release the hook from the fish and is fitted with a practical magnet attachment. The 3-stage ratched makes delicate clamping easy. The smooth jaw tip surface will not damage the hook whilst crimping barbs. It weighs 62gr.
The WizTool 175mm Pean (als known as hemostatic clamp, or arterial forceps) are fish pliers, scissors and eye clearing tool, all in one. The 3-stage ratched makes delicate clamping easy. It weighs 62gr.
The WizTool Tungsten Nippers come with high-precision Tungsten Carbide cutting blades.
Being twice as stiff as steel, they’ll last 5 times longer than steel nippers. Cut through nylon, braided nylon and fly line with very little pressure applied, providing a smooth, clean, and effortless cut. It weighs 39gr.
DIY Tippet Holders
I’ve been looking for the simplest and lightest Tippet Holders for a long time. This is my solution:
Using half a (DAC) anodized aluminum pole repair sleeve (9mm inner diameter), a length of floating throw line end a lightweight (Wildo) plastic carabiner. By leading the rope ends through a centered hole in the pole and searing it around the pole end, I made these extremely light tippet holders.
Line Cutterz Fishing Line Cutters
Left: Ceramic Blade Ring Right: Zipper Pull
Bottom: Ceramic Blade Peel & Stick Flat Mountable
I use the Dual Hybrid, the Ceramic Blade Ring, Zipper Pull and Ceramic Blade Peel & Stick Flat Mountable Line Cutterz. This selection offers me a usefull cutter for every thinkable setup. Sharp, efficient and practical.
Passive Fishing
YoYo Reels
Yo-Yo Reels are hung from a firm, static point, with a leader, hook and bait combination attached. It’ll automatically set the hook with it’s triggering action once the fish takes the bait. I do not use them unattended, to prevent fish suffering.
Lazy Trap Fishing
The most relaxed way of fishing is by using fish traps, ofwhich the simplest is this square sinking net. It is placed on the river bottom. All you have to do is put bait like offal (fish guts or any other left over) in the little center pocket, lower it down to the river bottom, and check it every hour. It might take some stones to give it enough weight depending on the current. This is an awesome way to catch crustaceans, including shrimp, crab, lobster and crawfish. (Kill them ethically, do not throw them in boiling water.)