u/Bows_n_Bikes

I’ve fished my whole life but only with a spinning reel. I find myself by small streams a lot so I tried tying a fly onto my ultralight but it sucks. So when I found a used tenkara rod for $10, I quickly snatched it up. It’s the Aventik Tenkara Rod Pro IM12 Nano 6:4
in the 11’10” length.

Now I just need to know how to set it all up because it didn’t come with any line or flies. I’m in SW Michigan and most tackle shops near me carry spinning and trolling tackle and occasionally a small section of fly fishing stuff. So I don’t really have a salesperson to ask or shelves to pursue and I’m hoping you can help.

From what I’m reading, I need special tenkara line, right? Or can I use some type of normal fly line instead?

Is the tippet just regular mono or fluoro? I have several spools of both but a pointer on what weight to use would be appreciated.

I know flies are very specific to the time and area so can I just follow whatever the fly fishermen are recommending?

I want to get a suppressor for my deer rifle but, due to storage limitations, I would need to take the can off for storage and reattach every time I use it. Can I rely on the POI to stay the same from one day to the next or will reattaching the can every time mess with the POI? My max hunting distance is 200 yards and it’ll be a direct thread suppressor (currently looking at Hush Tech)

Savage 110 - 400 legend - 20” threaded barrel

What is the best process for dying bark tan leather. I have a hair-off deer skin that’s almost done tanning in mimosa. It’s kind of pink/maroon now but I’d really like a nice chocolate brown. Can I add something to the tan bath now or should I use conventional leather dye after it’s dry before dressing? Id like to avoid chemicals dyes if possible but I’m not opposed to using them if needed.

And what about future mimosa tans - anything I can add to the tannin bath to make the color darker and richer while it’s tanning?

I want to broaden my HEMA horizons into my heritage. I’m finding limited sources on sword fighting in the Netherlands and few that have been translated to english. There are some older rapier sources that I would consider studying but I just don’t enjoy the rapier much - saber is my most preferred sword followed by longsword.

I’m looking for confirmation or course correction here.

I’m reading through M. Regoor’s DE SCHERMKUNST with the help of a translation app currently and it seems to be missing the basics. From my understanding, Dutch swordsmanship in the 1800’s was rooted in the French School of Fencing - is this correct? If so, my plan is to study saber as taught under the French School then return to Dutch texts.

I’m also having trouble finding details on the Hollandsche Methode so if anyone has a link they’d be willing to share, I’d very much appreciate it.

For those that have studied Dutch swordsmanship, what texts and masters do you like?

I have some autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata) bushes that need to be removed and I’m wondering if the leaves or wood have a high tannin content. My web and Reddit searching came up empty so I’m turning to you all. Have any of you tried it? If so, how do you extract it (I know boiling can destroy tannins from some plants). Thanks in advance!

I’m a bark tan convert! This is a bit of an odd question but I’m wondering if I can bark tan a hide that has been tanned with a chemical tan? I have 2 hair-off deer hides that were tanned with TruBond 1000b. But I don’t like them. Can I fix/improve these by bark tanning?