Tenkara Angler Level Line Podcast

Author: Tenkara Angler

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Ep. 33: Demon's Game: Rob Worthing on the Oni School of Tenkara Fly Fishing
Episode 33
Sunday, 5 April, 2026

In Episode 33 of the Tenkara Angler Level Line Podcast, host Mike Agneta is joined by Tenkara Angler panelists Matt Sment and Bill Robichaud to welcome one of tenkara’s most respected voices, Robert Worthing of Tenkara Guides, LLC. Rob has just released his long-awaited book, Demon’s Game: The Oni School of Tenkara Fly Fishing, and the conversation digs deep into the philosophy, science, and advanced technique behind this landmark release.Rob has spent 10+ years studying under Masami Sakakibara who is widely regarded as one of the world’s greatest tenkara masters, and has guided clients on the Provo River and beyond through the Oni Tenkara School. Demon’s Game is his effort to preserve Masami’s legacy and bring the most advanced tenkara concepts into print for English-speaking anglers for the first time.Whether you’re picking up a tenkara rod for the first time or you’ve been fishing fixed line for years, this episode and Rob’s book will give you new ways to see the water, understand the fish, and elevate your game. We hope you enjoy this latest episode!Episode Show Notes & Links:00:00:07 – Introduction & Welcome00:01:03 – Meet Rob Worthing: Background & Tenkara Guides LLC– Tenkara Guides, LLC– Advanced Tenkara Clinic00:03:06 – What Is Demon’s Game & Why This Book?00:05:13 – How Rob First Met Masami Sakakibara– About Masami Sakakibara00:06:55 – The Birth of the Oni Tenkara School00:08:07 – Early “Aha Moments” Watching Masami Fish00:11:42 – Inside the Book: Structure, Science & Philosophy00:14:05 – How the Book Serves as an Oni School Syllabus00:18:30 – Tenkara Flies: Matching the Hatch, Oni Style00:23:24 – Trout Vision & the Science of How Fish See00:26:21 – Trout Senses Beyond Sight: Sound, Shadow & Stealth00:29:11 – Is This Book for Beginners or Advanced Anglers?00:31:11 – The Philosophy of Lifelong Learning in Tenkara00:34:04 – Bill’s Story: Putting Oni Techniques to the Test on the Stream00:36:34 – Rob’s Story: An Real World Application of Stealth00:39:39 – Hydrology and the Movement of Water00:44:39 – Tracer Flies for Visibility and Manipulation00:46:32 – The Book vs. Oni School00:50:15 – Gear Talk: Rods, Lines, Flies & Fishing Oni Style– Tenkara no Oni Shop00:55:31 – Future Oni Schools & Where to Find Rob in 202600:58:53 – Where to Buy Demon’s Game– Kendall Hunt | Amazon01:00:26 – Closing Thoughts & Sign-OffWant to see more? Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tenkara Angler⁠