Learn Tenkara Fly Tying DVD Review
This new tenkara fly tying DVD series was just announced today but I happened to receive one in the mail prior to launch (Thanks Brian!). This DVD isn’t good. It’s GREAT! The clarity and quality is amazing and the running commentary by tenkara experts is surprisingly informative. When I first opened the package, I was kind of dismissive. I thought that I’d pretty much heard everything there was to be said about simple tenkara flies by now. But I was pleasantly surprised to see a lot of tips, info, and ideas for presentation that I hadn’t thought of, heard of, or done myself. This is a must-have DVD for anyone into tenkara.
Read MoreTenkara Flies on Eyeless Hooks
Sakasa Kebari Tied on an Eyeless Hook - See video below to learn how to tie it!
Some tenkara anglers in Japan prefer to tie their sakasa kebari on eyeless hooks. Rather than a metal ring for an eye, these flies have a loop of flexible material to which the tippet is tied. I’ve heard some people say that this connection gives the fly more movement in the water than flies with rigid eyes; however, in my experience, there is little to no difference in the action of eyed vs. eyeless flies. Nonetheless, flies tied on eyeless hooks are unique, beautiful, and can add a fun new dimension to your fly tying.
Read MoreVideo Tour of My Fly Tying Desk
All of us who tie flies have our own unique spaces dedicated to the craft. Whether crammed into the corner of a tiny apartment or sprawled out over the entire expanse of a finished basement, they are sacred places. Here is a quick video of my current one and some of the materials I’ve collected over the years. I’d love to see yours too:
Read MoreThe “Traffic Jam” Trico Cluster
If you’d rather fish a #14 fly during a heavy Trico hatch than a #22, check out the Traffic Jam
How to Tie the Traffic Jam Trico Cluster from Jason Klass on Vimeo.
Many of us who have fished Trico hatches probably have a love-hate relationship with them. These notoriously prolific hatches bring a lot of fish to the surface but it can be impossible to pick out your #22 imitation from the thousands of others on the surface. A fish could strike your fly and you wouldn’t even know it because there are so many rises surrounding it. Probably many of us have wished we could fish a larger, easier-to-see pattern that we could distinguish from the mayhem during these exciting hatches. This led some people to design double and triple Trico patterns that were a littler easier to see, but were unrealistic because of the way they are tied in perfect alignment (trunk-to-tail so to speak). After years of observation, I had an epiphany that led to the creation of the Traffic Jam.
Read MoreThe Balloon Caddis
The Balloon Caddis is one of my favorite all-time caddis flies. It’s versatile, durable, and easy to tie. This innovative pattern designed by Austrian fly fishing mogul Roman Moser (one of my fly tying heroes) belongs in every fly box (especially for the backpacking angler).
Materials
Hook: Partridge Mike Weaver Arrowpoint #12 – #18 (substitute any standard dry fly hook)
Thread: 8/0 UNI Thread (color of choice)
Abdomen: Antron/Rabbit Blend (color of choice)
Thorax: Same as abdomen (variation: peacock herl)
Balloon Head: Closed cell foam (original pattern calls for yellow but any color could be used)
How to Tie it
How to Tie the Balloon Caddis from Jason Klass on Vimeo.
How to Fish it
The Balloon Caddis can be fished in either an upstream or downstream dead drift presentation just as you might fish an Elk Hair Caddis or any other dry Caddis pattern. But during a hatch, when trout are competitively chasing pupae, it’s most effective to skate it across the surface. Position yourself as if you were swinging a wet fly downstream. Cast at a 45 degree angle to the fish you’re presenting to, let it dead drift until the leader is taut, then start lifting the rod while slightly wiggling the tip back and forth such that the Balloon Caddis “dances” upstream in short, jerky skips. Be prepared for a hard strike as enticed trout won’t want to let your fly get away.
Read MoreThe “Go-To Midge”
Here’s my favorite, general purpose midge pattern. It’s easy to tie and very effective. While you could tie them in any color I mostly tie them only in black.
Materials
Hook: Tiemco 2488 #20 – 24
Thread: Red 8/0
Abdomen: Hareline Ultra Chenille Micro, black
Thorax: Hareline Ice Dub, Olive Brown
Breathers: Polypropylene Yarn, white
How to Tie It
How to Tie The Go-To Midge from Jason Klass on Vimeo.
Jason Klass on Vimeo.
How to Fish It
I fish it as a dry fly with 7X tippet. Coat just the breathers and the thorax with floatant. This allow the abdomen to hang lower in the surface film like a real emerger.
Read MoreAbout Me
Jason Klass is a former fly fishing guide who now exclusively fishes Tenkara for trout in the streams and lakes of Colorado...Read More