Tenkara lines
Furled lines, level lines & tenkara line made from natural silk
Tenkara fishing is characterised by its reduced simplicity, and for anglers, this essence of fishing with a fly is what makes it so appealing. Hence your equipment for Tenkara fishing is reduced to a minimum, it must be all the better adapted to your needs and preferences so that you can enjoy this type of fishing to the full. This is especially true when choosing the right Tenkara line. We have the right Tenkara line for every application. Tapered lines that are easier and smoother to cast, but come in predefined lengths. And of course, Tenkara level lines with a constant diameter that you can cut to any desired length. For all lovers of classic fishing, we also offer a super fine Tenkara line made of natural silk. With our special Tenkara lines, you don't have to concentrate on casting, but can enjoy fishing.
TENKARA FISHING LINES
Originally, Tenkara fishing lines – as well as those used in the closely related “Pesca alla Valsesiana” – were made from braided horsehair taken from horse tails. Modern Tenkara lines, however, are produced from high-quality braided or monofilament knotless nylon and feature virtually no memory effect. For anglers who appreciate a traditional setup, we also offer a truly special option: a Tenkara line made from 100% natural silk with exceptional performance characteristics.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT TENKARA LINE
Choosing the right line for Tenkara fishing is much easier than it may seem. Unlike traditional fly fishing, Tenkara only relies on two main types of lines:
- Tapered Tenkara lines, either braided (furled) or monofilament
- Level lines with a consistent diameter, typically made from monofilament
A tapered Tenkara line is attached at its thicker end to the lilian (the tip cord of the Tenkara rod) using a loop connection. Thanks to its taper, this type of line allows for very delicate and natural fly presentations. It is therefore ideal for fishing with dry flies, wet flies, and Sakasa Kebari, the traditional Tenkara flies. Due to the tapered design, these lines should not be shortened, as doing so would negatively affect their performance. It is therefore important to choose the correct length for your rod from the start.
Level lines for Tenkara have a uniform diameter along their entire length. They are particularly well suited for fishing with small nymphs or lightly weighted flies. While they may not offer quite the same delicate presentation, they allow for more precise casting, especially in windy conditions. Monofilament level lines can easily be cut to any desired length, making them highly adaptable to different rod lengths. Casting with this type of line can be slightly more challenging for beginners, but they excel when longer casting distances are required. For anglers who appreciate a traditional approach, we also offer a natural silk Tenkara line.
The main difference between monofilament and braided Tenkara lines, aside from comparable technical properties such as strength, lies in their suppleness. Additionally, braided lines are more difficult to shorten, as they may fray when cut.
PRACTICAL TIPS
The models CLASSIC, EXPERT, and EXPERT HIGH VIZ are manufactured in Europe according to Hotfly specifications and offer excellent technical performance. If you don’t want to compromise on a tapered braided Tenkara line even in windy conditions, we recommend the Hotfly EXPERT. Thanks to its higher density, it is slightly heavier than standard braided Tenkara lines, making it easier to cast – especially for beginners.
A tippet of approximately 100 to 150 cm is typically attached to the Tenkara line, most easily via a loop-to-loop connection. Depending on the situation, the tippet can be made of fluorocarbon (sinking) or nylon (floating), with a diameter ranging from 0.12 to 0.16 mm.