Tenkara Flies

Freshwater anglers in Japan are known to have been using flies to imitate insects by using silk, fur and feathers, at least as long as 430 years ago, but this art probably goes much farther back, possibly as long as 5th or 6th century. As tenkara fly fishing puts a lot of emphasis on the presentation of flies rather than accurate imitation, tenkara flies have developed to be very effective at catching trout while remaining simple and versatile patterns. We worked with tenkara fly collector and expert, Mr. Yoshikazu Fujioka, to come up with a series of flies that represent traditional tenkara patterns of various regions in Japan. And we are also featuring the simple, yet elegant fly pattern taught to us by renowned tenkara angler Dr. Hisao Ishigaki, the Ishigaki Kebari. Ishigaki-san, Fujioka-san, domo arigatou gozaimazu!

Because flies are normally chosen based on the pattern, size and color needed for the situation, we have decided to offer our flies in a set of 3 flies in a vial containing the pattern and size you choose. Our flies come in a glass vial that can be used to store your flies, study insects on the stream, or even serve to collect and exhibit your flies, though we really recommend you fish with them. Notes: kebari is the Japanese word for fly, and sakasa is the Japanese term for the characteristic reverse hackle.

Prices are for a set of 3 flies in a glass jar as pictured at right.

Tenkara Flies - Takayama Sakasa Kebari
$7.50
Reverse Hackle
the Takayama Sakasa Kebari are thought to be one of the older "sakasa" (reverse hackle) patterns used in tenkara fly fishing. It's an "elaborate" fly compared to some of the other tenkara patterns, for this one has a peacock herl collar, and a "butt". We'll never know whether it really is one of the oldest sakasa flies,but it's a beautiful one.
These are tied with the softer part of a hackle, which makes them a great mix of soft-hackle wet flies, and the stiffer hackle sakasa flies. They can be very effectively fished as a wet fly (swung), or by giving it some life by light twitches on your rod.

Tenkara Flies - Ishigaki Kebari
$7.50
Reverse Hackle
These are the flies used by renowned tenkara angler, and leading authority on tenkara in Japan, Dr. Hisao Ishigaki. For the last 10 years, Dr. Ishigaki has used this one pattern exclusively allowing only for small variations of color, sizes and perhaps hackle style - the main combinations of which are available in each vial - and has continued catching as many fish as he ever did.
The Ishigaki Kebari (Ishigaki fly) fully embodies the simple spirit of tenkara fly fishing. In tenkara, more emphasis is placed on the technique of the angler, not on the gear he uses. We have taken our turns at fishing this one fly exclusively as well. On faster mountain streams, we can agree with the one fly principle, and the flies worked like a charm.
The flies can be used as dry flies by false casting to dry the fly (particularly the one with stiffer brown hackle), emergers by casting slightly upstream, like soft-hackle wet flies by casting further upstream and letting it sink, and by imparting it life in calm water by twitching its reverse hackle.

Tenkara Flies - Sakasa Kebari
$7.50
Reverse Hackle
The Sakasa Kebari (reverse hackle fly) is not the only type of pattern in tenkara, but it is one of tenkara's most distinct and recognizable fly styles.
These flies are a "modern" version of the Takayama sakasa kebari, which have been used for hundreds of years throughout Japan. These modern variations are thought to have been conceived, or at least popoularized, by tenkara masters Fuji-meijin and Amano-meijin (*meijin = master). These are the tenkara patterns most easily found in fly shops nowadays.

Tenkara Flies - Caddis Mayfly Variant
$7.50
Traditional Dry Fly
A very simple pattern, with an unusual combination of both antannae and tails, this fly is a very versatile pattern to be fished dry during caddis and mayfly hatches.
The exact origins of the Caddis Mayfly variant fly are unknown. However it's thought to have originated in the Northern part of Japan, in the regions of Yamagata/Sendai. It's a relatively modern looking example of tenkara fly tying. Innovative yet simplistic. It resembles the elements of some Western patterns, but is unlike any patterns known in the West.