How to Tie a Tenkara Fly

Posted by on Jan 29, 2012 in Tenkara Fly Tying, Tenkara Videos, Video Posts | 13 comments

I’ve been asked by several people to make a video showing the basic steps on how to tie a sakasa kebari so here it is.  I chose a very simple pattern for the demo but you could easily substitute a lot of different materials to create a wide variety of patterns.

About Jason Klass


Jason is an avid fly angler and backpacker. As a former fly fishing guide originally from Western New York, he moved to Colorado and became an early adopter of tenkara which perfectly suited the small, high altitude streams and lakes there. He has not fished a Western-style fly rod for trout since.

 

13 comments

  1. Dwight
    January 29, 2012

    Thank you. That was helpful.

  2. Alex
    January 30, 2012

    Thanks Jason, this is great. I just did a Fly Tying 101 class at my local Orvis (Arlington, VA) and I’m psyched to get started on some of the recipes you’ve got on the site. This is such a good resource.

  3. Jason Klass
    January 30, 2012

    That’s great Alex. Tying your own flies is a great way to form a deeper connection with the sport. Let me know if you have any questions or need any help.

  4. Tom
    January 30, 2012

    Thanks Jason, it always helps me to see how someone else ties a fly. After reading your post about fishing Tenkara rather than fly fishing with a Tenkara rod do you plan to spend more time fishing Tenkara flies this season?

  5. Jason Klass
    January 30, 2012

    Hi Tom,
    Yep. I have been since the fall. I’m still learning but so far it’s going well. But I won’t completely give up dry flies. They’re too fun!

  6. Alex
    January 30, 2012

    Are you fishing mostly Western dry flies or something like a Japanese gujo? Also, are you matching hatches? I ask because I’m a lazy bastard and will always fish a general attractor if I can get away with it. For me that usually means a TenkaraBum CDC & Elk or an Orvis beetle pattern.

  7. Tom
    January 30, 2012

    Jason, I can’t tell much differance in the amount of fish I catch, and it sure cuts down on how many flies you carry. I have cut down to one dry pattern (cdc & elk) and I still fish some killer bugs. I can’t go cold turkey. But if I don’t plan to fish Tenkara style I never will.

  8. Ron
    January 30, 2012

    Hey thanks Jason–need to get back into tying again–your video kind of gives me the itch!!!!

    Ron

  9. Jason Klass
    January 30, 2012

    Hi Alex,
    I don’t match the hatch much anymore. Last year, I used Japanese Hammers exclusively for dry flies (except for some hoppers in the fall) and then sakasa kebari the rest of the time. Like you, I prefer to fish attractors.

  10. Eddie Fast
    January 31, 2012

    Jason,That was a great instruction. I hope my old shakey hands can do it. I have never tied a fly before but you made it look pretty easy and I think I’ll give it a try. Thanks

  11. Jason Klass
    January 31, 2012

    Thanks Eddie. Sakasa kebari are a great way to get into fly tying since they’re easy to tie and don’t require a lot of materials.

  12. Brian
    February 2, 2012

    Great video, I hadn’t tied in over 2 years and it has gotten me started again. I had forgotten how relaxing it is. Thanks

  13. Alex
    February 12, 2012

    Now watching this for the third time … it really is a fantastic resource. No questions, but if you’re taking requests, it would be great to see how you tie a Japanese Hammer. I’m intrigued by that fly.

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