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Category Archives: Flies & Fly Tying

Spring Futsu Kebari

Spring Futsu Kebari

An old adage says that lighter colored flies work best in the spring. Whether you call them “PMDs”, “PEDs”, or just plain “Sulphurs”, I think trout get keyed in on a lighter color during this time of year. This fly works well even though it doesn’t exactly “match the hatch” and is quick and easy…

March 19, 2022Leave a commentFlies & Fly TyingBy Jason Klass

Best Tenkara Flies

My Top 5 Flies for Tenkara

Asking a fly angler to pick their favorite fly pattern is a little like asking a mother to name her favorite child. We love them all for different reasons. But if pressed, most anglers will be able to come up with at least a short list. So, I thought I should put together mine. These…

March 13, 2022Leave a commentFlies & Fly TyingBy Jason Klass

Japanese Lantern Sakasa Kebari

The Improved Japanese Lantern

In 2014, I came up with a pattern that became my go-to fly for many years: the Japanese Lantern. It was just a simple sakasa kebari, but instead of thread for the head, I used pearlescent Mylar to give it a little flash. The fly performed swimmingly and I had the utmost confidence in it.…

March 8, 2022Leave a commentFlies & Fly TyingBy Jason Klass

Garrison Keillor Fly Fishing

The Lake Wobegon Special

People often share which kinds of music they listen to while they’re tying flies. Music and tying just seem to go hand-in-hand for many. For me though, it was always listening to A Prairie Home Companion on NPR. This is back when it was still hosted by Garrison Keillor who left the show in 2017…

March 6, 20224 CommentsFlies & Fly TyingBy Jason Klass

FB Futsu Kebari

Weighted Futsu Kebari

Yes, I know. The party line is that traditional tenkara flies are unweighted. Purists say that you’re supposed to use plunge pools or longer drifts to sink your flies. But this isn’t always possible (especially on my home waters). Most of my local streams are high-gradient with short, fast-running pockets. You might only get a…

February 24, 2022Leave a commentFlies & Fly Tying, Fly TyingBy Jason Klass

FB Harrop Dun

Caribou Harrop Dun

This is a boring fly. But there’s a reason for that. It’s my variation on one of my favorite all-time flies: René Harrop’s Hair Wing Dun. The Hair Wing Dun has proven itself on waters all over the world. It’s easy to tie, floats well, is durable, and versatile. Here’s my version and the theory…

February 23, 20222 CommentsFlies & Fly Tying, Fly TyingBy Jason Klass

Shetland Spindrift yarn for fly tying

Sources for Fly Tying Yarn

Here’s a great resource for shorter lengths of Shetland Spindrift yarn–one of my favorite materials for tying simple and durable tenkara flies.

November 18, 20212 CommentsFlies & Fly TyingBy Jason Klass

Vicuna Alpaca Dubbing

Vicuña Dubbing

There’s been a lot of buzz around Vicuña dubbing lately and I was lucky enough to get a box from DRAGONTAILtenkara. I’ve probably got hundreds of packages of dubbing dating back 20+ years, but I can tell you, I really like this stuff. First of all, it’s hand-dyed alpaca wool so it’s scraggly, but still…

September 4, 20209 CommentsFlies & Fly Tying, Fly TyingBy Jason Klass

Surviving COVID Through FLy Tying

COVID Tenkara Fly Tying

Like many of you, this pandemic has been difficult for me. I sold my house right before it started and have been house and dog sitting for some friends who were in Guatemala for a couple of months. The library of fly tying tools and materials I’ve collected over the years (including my beloved roll-top…

July 5, 202012 CommentsFlies & Fly Tying, Fly TyingBy Jason Klass

tenkara flies

One Fly: An Experiment in Color

The following is a guest post. I almost never do them, but when someone as prominent in the tenkara community asks for one as Jason Sparks, my ears perk up and I listen. Here are a few more of his great theories on fly design and presentation … There have been several points of conversation…

March 28, 202014 CommentsFlies & Fly TyingBy Jason Klass

Sources for Tenkara Fly Tying Materials

I’m often asked where I get my fly tying materials. And my answer is, “from my desk”. Over 30 years of tying, I’ve amassed a collection of materials that would make some fly shops’ inventories seem lacking. So whenever I sit down to tie, I already have all the ingredients necessary. I’ll probably never have…

October 25, 20194 CommentsFlies & Fly Tying, Fly TyingBy Jason Klass

Tenkara Flies by Jason Sparks

Jason Sparks on Tenkara Fly Tying

Being a fly tyer is part of my self-identity. I’ve often said that even if every river and ocean on Earth dried up, I would still tie flies. It’s one of my passions in life and I consider it a high art. As such, I’m always interested in learning about how other tyers practice the…

September 4, 201917 CommentsFlies & Fly Tying, Fly Tying, InterviewsBy Jason Klass
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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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