Tenkara flies are an enigma. Wide variations in Japanese regional patterns exist, yet the reknowned authority Dr. Ishigaki has used only one pattern for the past 10 years.
These are easy-to-tie flies that are effective, durable, and cost next to nothing to make.
When I first started fishing tenkara, I didn't give much thought to traditional tenkara flies. The initial allure was really the tenkara rod itself and by default, I assumed that I would just use my standard patterns like the Elk Hair Caddis, Stimulator, Bead Head Hare's Ear Nymph, and so on. And I did. And
Here are the signature patterns tied by the legendary Japanese tenkara angler Yuzo Sebata
How to use fur as hackle on tenkara flies
Many anglers tout the effectiveness of using red hooks in their fly patterns. While there appears to be some science behind it, I'm not a red hook fanatic; nor am I a foe. I don't know if or why red hooks add some attractor qualities to flies or not. I've caught fish on them
5 reasons why sewing thread makes sense for tenkara flies
The 2nd instalment of the Simple Flies series. Hope you enjoy and don't forget to subscribe!Recipe:Hook: Size 12 Daiichi 1250Thread: Purple Pearsalls SilkTho...
One of the questions I get asked most often is what one needs to start tying tenkara flies. The first thing I tell people is to NOT buy a fly tying kit. Kits are a perfect waste of money with just the right combination of wrong-sized feathers, useless colors of materials, and unnecessary tools. While
Welcome to Tenkara Tuesday. Recently, I unintentionally stumbled upon an e-tailer called Sherpa Flies. See, I got some random newsletter email from them entitled “Test,” and like a sucker opened it up. It was possibly unsolicited, but considering all the online contests I’ve entered and/or things I’ve signed up for, who knows. Anyway upon opening, … Continue reading Tenkara Tuesday – Sherpa Flies →
I just got a care package from Japan from Masami Sakakibara (a.k.a. "Tenkara no Oni") which included some of his flies. His patterns are simple, but very versatile and buggy looking. I'm not sure of all of the materials, but thought I'd share some pictures of the flies one of the greatest tenkara anglers in
So…since I get a lot of emails from the tenkara-curious asking me what sort of flies I use when going tenkara fishing, I figured I’d show you…and heck, even give you the recipe, should you feel industrious and decide that you absolutely must tie some yourself. Look Beavis…It says ASS-IDUOUS. Hee hee. Before I get into … Continue reading Tying My "Secret Weapon" Tenkara Kebari Fly →
In the last few years, there's been a lof of buzz around fishing blue-colored flies. A while ago, I tried to incorporate blue into a tenkara pattern I called the Ninja's Victim. The blue wire body and starling hackle seemed to work well but I'm always looking for new ways to use unique materials
The Sakasa Kebari (kebari means "fishing fly" in Japanese) is a reverse-hackle fly (commonly a softer hackle) that is mostly associated with Japanese Tenkara Fishing. It is not meant to mimic a specific insect but similar to what I would consider an attractor fly. It is more general profile of food and with its forward
Peek inside the mind behind some of modern tenkara's most creative and innovative fly patterns.
A while back, I posted some tenkara flies I got from Tenkara Times. I recently got another sample pack from them and thought I would share. I really like the look of the Sakakibara kebari and might start tying some up. Amano Kebari ... Fuji Kebari ... Olive Soft Hackle ... To learn more about
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How can I possibly start writing about a fishing trip with two of the finest anglers in the US, if not by repeating an older post that I must have been living a dream?
The Tenkara blog offers the most comprehensive expert fly fishing advice, knowledge, and tutorials as well as a look into the history of Tenkara fishing.
