Shimano Telescopic Rod Question

[Vince Fusco]

A few years ago a very good friend of mine that is a cook on ocean boats bought me a 5.38 meter Shimano Telescopic Rod. This figures out to a little over 17.65 ft. He bought while his ship was in port in Japan. All the righting on it is in Japanese except the word Shimano. It is surprisingly light for its length, and it's a ball to fish with. It Also has a reel seat, although I have never put a reel on it. The tip section is very fast. Could this be a Match Fishing Rod? I  I have tried researching this rod online but with no luck. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

I'm thinking it is a tenkara rod, or something like it. The Japanese make much of "micro-fishing," and find high sport in it.

[Vince Fusco]

Thanks for the info, David. I will check this out. It is fun to fish with and very light.

[John Sheehan]

What a great friend Vince ! Have you caught with this rod .You got me wanting a telescopic rod to fish for RBS in a small stream I visit a few times a year . I believe Tenkara rods have no reel seat .

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Hmmm, you are right, John. Ive looked into the whole Tenkara thing.

After all, why do you need a reel when you only tie on a line? They usually have a cork handle, like a fly rod, but thats it.

[John Sheehan]

Exactly David .I realize you posted on this subject a long time ago so its nice to pick up on again .I wonder if Vince's rod /Pole can be used either way .That would be a versatile setup! Cant imagine working a 17.65 ' pole without at least hooking someone in the pants .Someone in the next county perhaps!

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Too long rods can be a pain, especially from shore bank. They really are at their best from a boat.

Tenkara rods tend to be shorter than 17.5 ft.

Something you could try, an idea Ive been pondering, is a long-ish fly rod rigged tenkara style. Or like most of us, just get you a telescoping cane pole, a furled leader/tippet combinationand make you a "redneck tenkara" set up. As is normal, the line is what makes it all work.

Purists will scoff, talking about action and curvature and dynamics and all that jazz. But I was flipping flies and tiny baits with a tele pole long before I knew tenkara existed.

[Vince Fusco]

Yes John, he is a great friend indeed. We first met at the age of 12 which is over 50 years ago, and have stayed in contact despite living so far apart since we became adults. I have several telescopics, from 10 to 17 feet, and they are all fun to fish with. My first telescopic came from a guy I worked with that said it was too whippy and asked me if I wanted it. I tried it and was hooked on them from the first gill! To me, telescopics are the simplest way to catch fish, and the memories take me back to my first ever rod, a cane pole. The fight you get while using them is one you will not soon forget, as Jeffrey can attest to. He is a big fan of telescopics as well. I like fishing a small white jig head (1/80th or a 1/64th  oz.) tipped with a wiggler in the early Spring as the waters start to warm and the gills move in close to shore. I quietly walk the shore dabbing my tiny offerings around stumps and brush as I go. This Spring I want to try some weighted flys on my telescopics. I think they should work well.

[John Sheehan]

David and Vince ,I gotta try this .Any suggestions on a first Telescopic pole I should get myself?

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

AS Vince says, "dapping" is ideal for telescopics. I wouldn't get to hurried in your selection, though. If you dont own any tele's, go on down to the local emporium and get you one around 13ft., give or take. Ive used a Shakespeare and Apache tele's for years. They're not high dollar, but they suffice.

Again, the LINE is what makes this work. If you just use mono, your flies wont behave and go where you want. In tenkara they use a furled line, aka twistedor braided, much like the furled leaders. It adds weight and casting mass, and a 2'-4' tippet is added at the end. I suppose you could tie your own graduated line, too, if you were feeling masochistic.

SIDE NOTE: THE HISTORY OF FLY FISHING -

http://www.flyfishinghistory.com/aelian.htm

http://www.flyfishinghistory.com/macedonian_fly.htm

[Vince Fusco]

Last year I bought a 13' from Academy Sports. It was less than 20 bucks, and a blast to fish with. The brand was Appachie. sp? It is light weight and has a good action to it. 

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

I got some of those same Apaches off ebay a few years back - a lot of 8 total. They are serviceable, if heavy compared to true tenkara.

[John Sheehan]

I'm thinking of getting this no reel pole. The 20  footer .Any one here ever use one ?  http://www.basspro.com/B39;n-39;M-Black-Widow-Crappie-Rod/product/2...