The Tenkara Guide Network™ is a directory of tenkara guides and instructors who use tenkara as their preferred method of fixed-line fly-fishing. The intent of the network is to put our customers in touch with guides knowledgeable and experienced in tenkara. If you are a fly-fishing guide interested in joining the Tenkara Guide Network™, read this.
Meet the Tenkara Guides
If you are looking for the ultimate tenkara fishing experience, then look no further. Below is a list of fly-fishing guides who have extensive experience in teaching tenkara, a fantastic alternative to Western fly fishing. These anglers are part of the Tenkara Guide Network™ and with their help, you will learn everything you need to know about the traditional Japanese method of catching trout and other fish in mountain streams and rivers. Gain a great advantage and learn tenkara techniques from these professional guides. You’ll also gain a solid understanding of the gear you need, including tenkara rods, lines, and flies, to catch fish with the perfect tenkara presentations.
- Rocky Mountain Anglers-Colorado
Rocky Mountain Anglers-Colorado
On the front range of Colorado, we are rich in smaller creeks and streams, which is a similar environment to where the Tenkara style originated in the mountains of...
- Dakota Angler and Outfitter-South Dakota
Dakota Angler and Outfitter-South Dakota
Dakota Angler & Outfitter has been offering tenkara focused fishing trips since 2014. We love sharing tenkara techniques with anglers new to the sport as well as...
- Living Waters Outfitters – Texas
Living Waters Outfitters – Texas
Living Waters Fly Fishing is Round Rock’s only full service fly shop and was the first Tenkara USA dealer in Texas. In addition to waders, boots, packs, and fly tying...
- RIGS – Colorado
RIGS – Colorado
RIGS was the first Tenkara USA dealer and Tenkara USA Certified Guide Service in Colorado. Our tenkara guides specialize in fishing the high country waters in...
- Brittany Aäe-Washington
Brittany Aäe-Washington
Brittany Aäe is an endurance coach based in the Methow Valley of Washington State and has been tenkara fishing since 2014. Upon first ditching the reel, she...
- Dennis Cluck Jr.-New York
Dennis Cluck Jr.-New York
Dennis Cluck Jr. has been fishing the Catskills for over twenty years. Whether you want to fish the Beaverkill, Willowemoc, West...
- Brad Hansen-Montana
Brad Hansen-Montana
I’ve been fishing Tenkara for over six years, and enjoy sharing my passion for fly fishing with others. I’m lucky enough to call Central Montana home, where we...
- Brian Slusser-California
Brian Slusser-California
Brian has been guiding in the Truckee area for 20 years. He is an Orvis endorsed Guide, IFFF certified casting instructor,...
- Mike Warren – Driftless Region, of WI/MN/IA.
Mike Warren – Driftless Region, of WI/MN/IA.
Mike Warren is a tenkara guide in the Driftless Area of Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota. From Mike: MY TENKARA EXPERIENCE I have been using Tenkara USA products since...
- Nathan Wray
Nathan Wray
Nathan Wray is the owner of Mammothflyguide.com flyfishing and he has been guiding the famous waters of The Eastern Sierras for 12 years and guiding with Tenkara USA...
- Rory Glennie – BC, Canada
Rory Glennie – BC, Canada
Rory Glennie is a member of Fly Fishing Team Canada and has represented the country at two World Fly Fishing Championships; in North Wales, UK and in Jackson Hole,...
- Michele White – Colorado
Michele White – Colorado
Michele is the owner of Tumbling Trout. She is a retired geologist and a published author (under the name Michele Murray). She’s been float fishing in a dory for...
- Bart Lombardo-New Jersey
Bart Lombardo-New Jersey
Bart Lombardo is a tenkara guide from New Jersey, one of the first. Bart was an early adopter of tenkara, embracing the...
- Jeff Gottfried – Oregon
Jeff Gottfried – Oregon
Jeffry Gottfried, co-founder and executive director of non-profit, Educational Recreational Adventures has been fly fishing for 46 years and fishing primarily tenkara...
- Rod Woten-Iowa
Rod Woten-Iowa
I have owned and operated a Coldwater guide Service for about 6 years now. After giving Tenkara a try...
- Eric Phannenstiel – Colorado
Eric Phannenstiel – Colorado
Eric is a ski guide turned fishing guide, and has lived in Vail for the past 25 years. He is passionate about sharing his local waters and teaching tenkara. When Eric is...
- Mike Willis – California
Mike Willis – California
As a Tenkara USA Ambassador and Certified Guide, teaching and promoting tenkara is Mike’s passion. He offers individual and group demonstrations and classes...
- Dan Pierce – Maine
Dan Pierce – Maine
Dan Pierce is the first registered Maine fishing guide to guide exclusively tenkara. He specializes in group and one on one instruction of tenkara techniques as well as...
- Patrick Jaeger – California
Patrick Jaeger – California
Pat Jaeger has fished and explored the Eastern Sierra for over 30 years. He is part-owner of the Trout Fly in Mammoth Lakes and owner / operator of Eastern Sierra Guide...
- Tim Hill – Colorado
Tim Hill – Colorado
Tim Hill is the owner and head guide at Colorado Fly Fishing Guides at the top of the Rockies in Leadville CO. He is a native of Colorado and has been in the Leadville...
- Ryan Jordan – Montana
Ryan Jordan – Montana
Ryan Jordan was the first state-licensed tenkara guide in the western United States. Ryan is a licensed fly fishing guide in the State of Montana, and the only Montana...
- Aldo Menghini
Aldo Menghini
Aldo’s philosophy of life is “Live Simply”. After 35 years of Western Fly Fishing, he discovered...
- John Miko – North Carolina
John Miko – North Carolina
John Miko is part of a growing number of tenkara guides North Carolina has available. He’s fallen in love with the fun and simplicity of tenkara style fly fishing...
- Allen Seagraves – Colorado
Allen Seagraves – Colorado
Allen Seagraves has been an avid promoter of tenkara in the Boulder area of Colorado. He decided to become one of a growing number of tenkara guides in the state and has...
- Rob Woodruff – Oklahoma and Texas
Rob Woodruff – Oklahoma and Texas
Rob Woodruff is one of the first tenkara guides in Southeastern Oklahoma and Northeast Texas. He has been an avid fly fisherman since the age of ten and began guiding...
- Dave Dirks – New York
Dave Dirks – New York
Dave was stung with the Tenkara bug in 2009 and has enjoyed catching trout on his favorite Catskill trout streams ever since. Dave is a licensed NYS professional fishing...
- Graham Moran – Colorado
Graham Moran – Colorado
Graham Moran has been fishing tenkara for almost five years and is a certified Tenkara Guide in Colorado. He started guiding for Colorado Skies Outfitters and now also...
- Steve Conrad – Colorado
Steve Conrad – Colorado
Steve Conrad is part of a growing number of Certified Tenkara Guides, fly fishing guides who use tenkara as their preferred method of fishing. He guides in and around...
- Chris Hendriks – Norway
Chris Hendriks – Norway
Chris Hendriks is one of the first international certified Tenkara Guides, and the main resource on tenkara in Norway. From Chris: My philosophy about Tenkara I want to...
- Yvon Zill – France
Yvon Zill – France
Yvon Zill is one of the first tenkara guides in France is certified by Tenkara USA. He has been a very active tenkara instructor and guide in the Basque region. Since...
- Jim Mitchell – Montana
Jim Mitchell – Montana
Certified Tenkara Guide Jim Mitchell guides in the Hamilton area of Montana primarily on the Bitterroot river system. From Jim “I am a second generation outfitter...
- Lance Milks – North Carolina
Lance Milks – North Carolina
Lance Milks is one of the first fly-fishing guides in the country to focus exclusively on tenkara guided trips. From Lance: “I have been practicing tenkara since...
- Bob Ivins – North Carolina
Bob Ivins – North Carolina
Bob Ivins is a tenkara guide in North Carolina. “I come from thirty years of salt and fresh water fly fishing. Three years ago a client booked a trip for a couple...
- Phil Sheridan – United Kingdom
Phil Sheridan – United Kingdom
As a Certified Tenkara USA Guide Phil Sheridan offers professional instruction, guiding, and presentations on all aspects of tenkara based in the heart of Yorkshire and...
Disclosures and Terms
While Tenkara USA will try to ensure only tenkara guides with credentials and the proper licenses, documentation and insurance are part of the network, we do not take responsibility for the tenkara guide service provided by the guides in the Tenkara Guide Network. Tenkara USA is not a guiding outfitter. Tenkara USA is not liable for the services and tenkara experience provided by guides in the Tenkara Guide Network nor the Certified Tenkara Guides that are part of the network. The certification is simply our way to indicate the guide has a good understanding of traditional tenkara techniques. We do not endorse nor underwrite guides. The Tenkara Guide Network is a trademark by Tenkara USA. Tenkara USA reserves the right to refuse or recall participation in this directory at any time.
Become a part of the Tenkara Guide Network:
While we can vouch that every tenkara fishing guide in the Tenkara Network is committed to tenkara and has a great understanding of the method, we have also started a certification program for more in-depth endorsement of the fishing experience and knowledge of guides in the network. Certified Tenkara Guides have been certified in person and are anglers who have shown a great understanding and commitment to tenkara’s history and philosophy as well as techniques and skills used in tenkara. However, this is a very small part of our program. Since each certification of tenkara anglers is conducted in person we are not able to certify every guide in the network. We are working on ways to make that happen in the future.
