Each season carries with it a certain type of fishing that marks the passing of the year as predictably as a fine timepiece. Winter is “midge o’clock” on Mother Nature’s clock, with chironomids being a reliable food source for trout while the hatches of summer go into their hibernation. Mayflies, stoneflies, and caddis are still…
This is a little thread cutting trick I figured out a long time ago when I was tying for a fly shop. Like so many great ideas, it was forgotten, only to be recalled after some triggering event. In this case, it was re-watching how Tenkara no Oni cut his thread this video at 03:43:…
Over the course of the 2023 Tenkara Guides Oni School, I was fortunate to observe all sorts of Masami-san’s presentation techniques, casting styles, streamcraft rituals, and of course, his fly tying. Specifically, his famous peacock and pheasant kebari. He’ll be the first to admit that his flies aren’t works of art. Any competent tyer…
In the photo below, there are five #14 hooks. Can you pick them out? If you had trouble picking them out, you wouldn’t be alone. In fact, there are actually more than five and by now, you’ve probably already figured out that this is a trick question. All of the hooks in this photo are…
It’s the time of year again when “everybody’s Irish”. I must admit, though I’ve never been to Ireland nor have any heritage from the old sod, I do feel a certain affinity towards all things Irish. One of my favorite authors (Oscar Wilde) is Irish. My favorite pipes and tobaccos (Peterson and Erin go Brah)…
It’s one of the questions I hear the most … “where can I buy tenkara flies?” I usually preface my answer by breaking the news that local fly shops don’t really carry tenkara-style flies so that means they’ll have to be purchased online. Fortunately, there are a number of talented tyers selling their flies on…
In pop culture, the concept of “Occam’s Razor” is commonly understood as, “the simplest explanation is usually the best.” This isn’t quite right. I believe it’s more accurate to say, “when faced with differing theories, you should pursue the one that requires the fewest number of assumptions.” In other words, it’s more prescriptive than descriptive.…
One of the drawers in my fly tying desk is labelled “Special Threads”. It’s an eclectic collection of top-secret oddball spools I’ve collected over the years and also where I keep any specialty threads such as silk, Kevlar, 17/0 Trico thread, etc.. I consider this my “inspiration” drawer because I like to rummage through it…
Not too long ago, I was sent a card of Italian Mohair by Don Lux, prominent tenkara angler and the organizer of the recent tenkara fly swap. He wanted to see what I could come up with. Mohair is a notoriously difficult material to work with. It’s slippery and doesn’t dub very well, but what…
Most of my flies tend toward darker or bolder colors: bright red, dark browns, peacock herl, etc.. And I typically tie them on black nickel hooks. I imagine it’s my subconscious clinging to an old rule I learned as a young angler: “Murky water, dark flies. Clear water, bright flies” Of course, this is true.…
If you were to put together a lineup of flies that iconically represented modern tenkara, the Amano kebari would be a sure candidate. It was invented by legendary Japanese tenkara angler Katsutoshi Amano and is the only fly he ties! Read a little more about Amano-san here. He ties it in a few different sizes,…
Making your own dubbing blends is not only simple and fun, but also opens up a vast realm of new creative possibilities for your flies. And you can get started today with things you probably already have! How-to segment starts at 04:23
When I got my new tamo (net) from Tenkara no Oni a couple of days ago, he slipped a few of his flies in the box (as he usually does). I already had some I got professionally framed several years ago that hang right above my fly tying desk. Two of the flies this time…
Many years ago, I was gifted a small bag of dubbing from an English acquaintance of mine. I had no idea what I was holding in my hand at the time and little did I know that it would eventually fuel a minor obsession that countless others had fallen into before me. He told me…