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Tying Tenkara Flies DVD Volume 1

By Anthony Naples, on September 20th, 2012
2 comments

To be properly upfront and honest I don’t know if I can give this DVD a very objective review. I’ve met all of the folks involved and can call some friends (I think – or maybe I’m being too forward) and others are more acquaintances. So it’s hard to be completely objective. But nonetheless I’d like to spread the word about this project – just be forewarned that I may be a little biased. On the other hand – I did shell out my own money.

Tying Tenkara Flies DVD Volume 1, is the first DVD produced by the folks at LearnTenkara.com. According to their website the video “is packed with 2.5 hours of video covering 17 different fly patterns, including traditional Japanese kebari, hybrids with Western flies and some patterns that are just plain fun to fish with a tenkara rod.” There is some introductory video from Japanese Tenkara Master Dr. Hisao Ishigaki and Daniel Galhardo discussing tenkara and tenkara flies. There is also a small bit of fishing footage and video of the flies as they appear underwater. For all the details go check out the page for the DVD – here.

To be clear – it is not a “beginning fly tying video” per se. But these flies are for the most part very simple flies. If you know the basics of starting the thread on the hook, and doing a half-hitch, you’ll be able to get the hang of it. The tying instruction is great. The tyers all do a good job of clearly explaining each step of the process. No matter how much I think I know – it always seems like I learn something by watching other tyers. I picked up more than a few nifty ideas from this DVD too. Various tyers are featured, Dr. Ishigaki, Daniel Galhardo (of Tenkara USA), Chris Stewart (of TenkaraBum), Rob Worthing and ERiK Ostrander (both of Tenkara Guides)and Dennis Galyardt. The bulk of the tying instruction is done by Chris Stewart.

And what about the flies? This is not a survey of Japanese Tenkara patterns. A few Japanese patterns are presented – but even these are altered a bit by the western tyers. This is not a criticism – but I just think it’s worth noting that this video is primarily tenkara flies as interpreted by western anglers, and it also includes some “non-tenkara” patterns.

The overall tone of the video is pretty relaxed, but very well executed. You feel like the tyers are sitting down personally with you to show you how to tie flies. My favorite moments are when the filmmaker (Brian Flemming)chimes in from “off-stage” with a question. These always seem to spur some good commentary.

My favorite single part of the video is watching Dr. Ishigaki tie his trademark fly. In spite of being hailed as a “Tenkara Master” Dr. Ishigaki comes across as truly humble and so thoroughly enthusiastic about tenkara. He’s got a childlike enthusiasm and playfulness that is infectious.

So I enjoyed the DVD and learned a thing or two along the way. I know there is Volume 2 in the works, so I just want to put in my two cents and offer a wish list for the next one:

  • More different tyers
  • More traditional Japanese flies
  • More Japanese Tenkara Anglers tying their flies
  • More on stream instruction in tenkara techniques
  • More back and forth discussion as the tyers tie their flies

God job guys and looking forward to the next.

Tags: , , | Category: General Posts, News, Reviews, Tenkara | 2 comments

Tenkara and the Sulphurs

By Anthony Naples, on May 3rd, 2011
No comments

It is the time of year when a young man’s thoughts turn to…sulphurs. Well, at least if he’s an eastern fly fisher. Again I’m presenting an experimental set of flies. This time I’m focusing on the sulphur hatch through a tenkara colored lens. Make it what you want, but in my opinion tenkara angling really shines for fishing unweighted (or lightly weighted) wet flies and nymphs, after all that is how it evolved. Sure you can fish heavy nymphs – but the wispy tenkara rod tip is just not great at handling these, it can be done but it is not aesthetically pleasing (it’s sort of a round hole/square peg thing). I don’t prefer it for dry flies – although tenkara handles dry flies beautifully and I don’t hesitate to fish dries with the tenkara rod. Some tenkara anglers may disagree with me but I find t difficult to create the “snap” necessary to really dry out a soggy dry fly with the tenkara rod. Sure that’s a small complaint, and you can always squeeze the water out with a shirt or whatever – but nonetheless…I will stick with my assertion that wet fly fishing is my favorite application of tenkara.

With that in mind I turned an eye to my sulphur box and tried to create some tenkara inspired flies based on old favorites. These are not tried and true patterns but I have no doubt that they’ll fool a few fish anyway.  Once I give them a try on the hatch – I’ll report back on the results.

This is a selection of soft-hackle emergers, all but the bottom left fly are tied with biot bodies.  They represent a range of emergence states.

A couple of more traditional sulphur wet flies tied with bunny fur bodies and grouse hackle.

Sulphur nymph wet fly: This is based on a basic sulphur nymph pattern with a black wing-case to suggest a nymph about to “hatch”.  In this version I simply used black fur abdomen and a wet fly style collar of grouse hackle instead of a wingcase and legs.

Sulphur Sakasa Kebari: This bunch is perhaps the most typically “tenkara-esque” of the flies that I tied.  I’m pretty new to the whole reverse-hackled sakasa kebari style wet flies, so I’m anxious to give these a whirl.

Sunken spinner wet fly – this is based on Pa angler/writer/guide Eric Stroup’s pattern as seen in  a Rise Forms Studio TV fly tying video.

 

 

Tags: , , , , , , | Category: Fly Patterns, General Posts, Tenkara | Leave a comment

Yoshikazu Fujioka's My Best Streams Tenkara Dry Flies

By Anthony Naples, on April 21st, 2011
No comments

Just saw these tenkara dry flies on Yoshikazu Fujioka’s My Best Streams website and I thought that they were intriguing.  What I find particularly interesting is Fujioka’s interest in the fusion of western and eastern fly fishing.

I am using the dry fly of my free will also for the tenkara fishing because I liked the dry fly fishing of western style from the first. To fish the trout on the surface of water has interest different from the fishing by fly of wet type.  – Yoshikazu Fujioka

Tags: , , , , | Category: Fly Patterns, General Posts, Tenkara | Leave a comment

More Micro Sakasa Kebari From Another Tenkara Blogger

By Anthony Naples, on April 21st, 2011
2 comments

Little did I know when I posted my last post on Micro Sakasa Kebari that there was another person out there that had already done so. There is nothing new under the sun… So I thought in spirit of full disclosure I’d give Karel of Tenkara on the Fly props for the awesome minute kebari that he featured on his blog.   And if you don’t already visit Tenkara on the Fly regularly you should add it to your list of tenkara must visit sites.

Tenkara on the Fly micro sakasa kebari

 

 

Tags: , , , | Category: Fly Patterns, General Posts | 2 comments

Micro Sakasa Kebari

By Anthony Naples, on April 20th, 2011
4 comments

Ah…the allure of the small. The tiny fly and the frustration that goes along with tying and fishing these morsels appeals to a certain group of fly anglers – gluttons for punishment all. I have to admit I am inclined toward this sub-genre of fly fishing. As an attempt to further marginalize myself I thought that I’d explore the darkness and small loneliness in the niche of tiny tenkara flies.

Actually, there was a post on the Tenkara USA Forum regarding small tenkara flies – it got me thinking…maybe I should tie some diminutive sakasa kebari.  Sakasa kebari are the “reverse-hackle” style tenkara fly. These flies are meant to be subtly manipulated so that the hackle pulses enticingly. Do I think tiny sakasa kebari are necessary or even very practical? No, not really. But tied them, so I figured I’d share them. These are all tied on size 22 Orvis scud hooks.

Black Midge Sakasa Kebari:
Hook: Size 22 Scud Hook
Body: Black Thread
Ribbing: Silver Crystal Flash
Collar: Peacock Herl
Hackle: Starling

Red and Grizzly Sakasa Kebari:
Hook: Size 22 Scud Hook
Body: Red Thread
Ribbing: Silver Crystal Flash
Collar: Peacock Herl
Hackle: Grizzly Rooster

Yellow and Grouse Sakasa Kebari:
Hook: Size 22 Scud Hook
Body: Yellow Thread
Collar: Peacock Herl
Hackle: Grouse

Tags: , , , , | Category: Fly Patterns, General Posts, Tenkara | 4 comments

Trout and Seasons of the Mountain Village

By Anthony Naples, on September 17th, 2010
No comments

A while back, I stumbled upon Yoshikazu Fujioka’s website Trout and Seasons of the Mountain Village.  My introduction came not through fishing but through paper models.   I can’t recall where it was, but I saw a post about 3D paper trout models that you could build,  I thought that it would be a fun project to do with the kids (It is, but be patient, it can be tricky). These models are simply amazing. You’ll find trout of Japan and trout of the world.

Amago Paper Model from Trout and Seasons of The Mountain Village

At about the same time I became interested in Tenkara fishing, and coincidentally, Yoshikazu Fujioka, also happens to be Tenkara master, and has a wealth of Tenkara information on his site. Especially interesting, are the many regional Tenkara fly patterns that he has cataloged. Oh yeah, and he is also an accomplished artist, producing beautiful fly fishing related art. So do yourself a favor and explore Trout and Seasons of The Mountain Village.

Tags: , , , , | Category: General Posts, Tenkara | Leave a comment