Page 15 - 2020 May/June Outdoor Oklahoma

Ahhh, the simple life. There is much to be said for
simplifying things. In a time when the American life- DON P. BROWN/ODWC
style drastically changed for so many people because
of a global pandemic known as coronavirus, many of
us have gained a newfound resolve to slow down the
hectic page of modern life and embrace a more mini-
malistic approach.
That’s really the beauty of a type of fishing called
tenkara. And Norman angler Michael Vidrine, 40, was
ahead of the curve when he embraced the Far Eastern
technique several years ago.
“It ultimately is the original style of fly fishing. I see it as
a simpler way for people to get into fly fishing,” he said.
“But it’s a different technique for sure, and it works.”
Tenkara originated in Japan and has been practiced
there for at least several centuries. It was known by
only a few people in America until a company called
Tenkara USA opened in the United States in 2009. Since
then, the ranks of those enjoying tenkara have grown.
Where traditional fly fishing can involve lots of gear,
tenkara ultralight fly fishing uses just the basics. There
is no reel, just a long lightweight rod with a length of

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