Tenkara Flies
Tenkara Flies
Tenkara flies (aka. tenkara kebari) place less emphasis on imitation and more on presentation. They reflect a tenkara philosophy of relying on technique instead of gear.
Most Japanese tenkara anglers only use one fly pattern, each one having his favorite one. We only offer 4 tenkara fly patterns, which we learned from our teachers or designed ourselves, and which are effective in a variety of waters and regions and offer motion under water.
How to choose tenkara fishing flies
• Size 12 tenkara fishing flies are a good starting point, not too big, not too small. The Amano and the Ishigaki kebari are easy go-to flies. The Amano will have more movement under water.• Larger Japanese flies, like our size 8 Oki, will be more easily seen by most fish, so they may be good to catch fish in faster running water. The Oki is a popular fly fishing choice when stream is running a bit fast, or perhaps if it is a bit murky.
• Size 16 flies, the smallest we carry, like the Takayama, tend to be good when nothing else seems to have worked. Or, if you notice fish might be rising very subtly and perhaps even coming for your large flies but not taking them.
All Tenkara USA flies are tied on barbless hooks. The tenkara rods are very good at keeping tension on the line and keeping the flies hooked. Barbless hooks are much easier to remove from fish, but also from thumbs, eyes and clothing.
