TENKARA M AG A Z I N E

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VOLUME ONE 2014 NINE DOLLARS

PUBLISHED BY

TENKARA USA

FORGIVING BOULDER CREEK BY SASHA BARAJAS

About a quarter-mile from the hustle and bustle of downtown

Just one month later the creek runs swiftly within its previously

Boulder, Colorado runs a small creek. In the heat of the summer,

defined banks. Although we have resumed biking, running, and

giggles are frequently heard as children wade in the water and

skateboarding along the winding Boulder Creek Path, for many of us our relationship with the creek is still on the bedrocks.

college students aboard black tire tubes float by. This autumn, with several days of heavy rain, the creek grew to monstrous proportions,

With a couple of friends in tow I ascended the windy road into the

enveloping the landscape and ravaging our mountain town.

recently re-opened Boulder Canyon. For me this adventure is not

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only about learning about tenkara fly-fishing but also to see if I will

Endless twists in the line, dirt and debris jamming up the reel, not to

be able to mend my relationship with the creek.

mention annoying casting hiccups. We were all elated to learn that with tenkara fishing has become simplified. After all, tenkara fishing

I have always found fly-fishing to be a bit mysterious. The casting,

only involves a rod, a line, and a fly.

though a beautiful dancing of the line, has always been a bit too elusive to try to wrap my mind around. Though I have had some

Our ever-so-patient mentor Daniel carefully walked us through setting

experience hunting aquatic life (fishing for stripers from a river dock

up the traditional tenkara line and extending the telescopic rod. With

and unsuccessfully trying for bluefish on a rocky beach in Maine) I

our waders adjusted, boots laced up, and wading belts secured, we

recognize that I have much to learn.

shuffled over the large rocks to the rushing creek below.

Though the all female group I’d collected for this adventure varied

Daniel shared with us some fish psychology (who knew fish were

in experience and abilities, we all had one shared frustration: that

spooked so easily?) as well as strategies for positioning ourselves

was management of the fishing line when reels are involved.

in or along the creek. With rods in hand we were finally ready to 44

give fly-fishing a go.

would miraculously free themselves. I could huff, puff, and stomp in the water (probably scaring most of the fish in Boulder Canyon). Or, I

Overall we found that the slower casting and shorter casting stroke

could take a breath, assess the situation, pull the tree branch down,

were quite intuitive. One attendee, Salome, noted that for her, “it’s

and mindfully unwrap the line. Ultimately, the choice was mine.

a new, easy technique. Rods are light and easy to handle. I like that the length of the line doesn’t change.” For Margaret, “learning the

I am extremely thankful to Daniel for teaching us tenkara, which

basics of tenkara was relatively easy (we did have a great teacher).

in turn taught me a great deal about myself. I am also happy to

I think mastering tenkara will be a refreshing challenge!”

again think of the Boulder Creek as place to retreat, regroup and Though I did manage to catch more trees than fish, I learned

be mindful. After all, I’m rarely further than a 10-minute walk away

a lot about myself and my ability to overcome obstacles. I easily

from its banks.

recognized that with fishing I had a choice with challenges as they arose. I could yank on the rod violently in hopes that the line and fly 45

PHOTOS BY KATE MASON