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Takayama Sakasa Kebari

June 17, 20139 CommentsFlies & Fly TyingBy Jason Klass

The Takayama sakasa kebari is a classic tenkara fly that is tied in many color variations.  But basically, it’s characterized by having a thread abdomen, a peacock thorax, and forward facing hackle.  My first encounter with this fly was the red version so that’s what I chose to base my interpretation on.  Here’s my recipe for what I consider the Royal Coachman of tenkara flies…

Takayama Sakasa Kebari

Hook:  Umpqua C500BL #10
Thread:  Red Uni, 8/0
Hackle:  Male Ringneck Pheasant
Thorax:  3 strands of peacock eye, twisted and wrapped
Abdomen:  Red thread, tapered toward thorax

This is a great all around searching pattern whose contrasts and color combinations seem to work particularly well on attractor-prone species such as brook trout. But this pattern is just a template. Try out different color combinations and see what works best out in your neck of the woods.

sakasa kebaritakayama sakasa kebaritenkaratenkara flies
About the author

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.

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9 Comments
  1. Reply
    June 17, 2013 at 10:45 pm
    craigthor

    How are you liking these Umpqua Competition Hooks? I like the looks of these and may have to try some at some point.

    • Reply
      June 18, 2013 at 7:32 pm
      Jason Klass

      Hi Craig,
      I like them a lot. They have a nice black finish and a more circular bend which I think helps with setting the hook. Read more about them here: https://www.tenkaratalk.com/2012/05/umpqua-competition-hooks/

  2. Reply
    June 18, 2013 at 7:44 pm
    craigthor

    Thanks for the link to the older post. I’ll have to try adn find some at some point to try out.

  3. Reply
    June 24, 2013 at 12:27 pm
    Adam

    I highly recommend going to Takayama and fishing a sakasa kebari.

    You will be glad you did.

  4. Reply
    June 25, 2013 at 9:30 am
    Vern Hall

    Tenkara Bum carried this pattern at one time. It was named the “Christmas Kebari”. This is a fantastic brookie fly. Try a yellow body for big bluegills.

  5. Reply
    July 5, 2013 at 9:39 am
    Jason Fitzgibbon

    Shame on you for publicizing my most productive fly! I consistently use this pattern for wild browns, brookies, and even native rainbows in our local headwater streams; it never disappoints. I also tie it with a black body and red hotspot forward of the herl, which seems to be a little more appealing to fish in slower, clearer waters.

  6. Reply
    July 21, 2013 at 1:02 am
    Steve Contreras

    Great looking!!

  7. Reply
    August 29, 2013 at 8:27 am
    Robert Jaudon

    Jason,

    Do you have any videos of tying your flies? Do you sell them?

    Thanks,
    Rob

    • Reply
      August 29, 2013 at 8:43 am
      Jason Klass

      Hi Rob, here’s one video: https://www.tenkaratalk.com/2012/01/how-to-tie-a-tenkara-fly/

      I do sell some flies. Right now I only have a few patterns in stock. Email me through the contact form if you’re interested.

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About Me

Jason Klass is a former fly fishing guide & casting instructor based in Colorado. He was an early adopter of tenkara in the West and has been fishing the method for a variety of species since 2009. Read more >>

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