The other day I came across this great chart put together by Vlad Odnoshivkin, from the blog Tenkara in Siberia. It was too good not to share it more widely. It is very nicely done, beautiful to look at, and most importantly it quickly illustrates tenkara: how it can be used effectively to reach fish without being seen, how different line lengths can reach fish in different ways, and more. The "three people" on the left are images of Dr. Ishigaki in different fishing stances; the person on the far right is Mr. Sakakibara Masami. Enough said, I'll let you draw your own conclusions from it.
Great illustration of the advantages of long lines, especially for people like me who don't like to crouch around any more than they have to. IMO, you're also less likely to spook fish with your steps being further from the bank.
Definitely a great illustration too bad most of the streams I fish are too tightly covered to fish lines much longer tehn 14′ without constantly hanging in trees or brush of some kind.
In reality I think the major component in small streams is movement. If you move very slowly you'll be okay, IMO.
Love that pic/graphic! So much better than the silly animae cartoons.
@ Daneil yeah I do spend alot of time crouching and crawling along these tight banks, alot of time I will actually wade in from down stream and slowly fish my way up certain areas as that is the only access from inside the stream.
Terrific illustration! Real drives home the low profile concept.
It's not to often that I try to approach a fish head on. They are just to good at spotting changes in their environment.
Around here waving that rod around is just waving 'bye….
And last, if your head is below the angle of interception, just how Do you see that fish?
Greg, I think to your question, "just how do you see that fish?" I would think you would have seen the fish earlier before approaching, or cast to a spot the fish are likely to hold.