Tenkara style flies

[herefishy]

I thought of tying some flies tenkara style to try with regular fishing - any reason why they wouldn't work?

[billhouk]

They work great, actually.

[Donald Nicolson]

What do you mean by 'Tenkara Flies'?
If you mean flies with a reversed hackle such as this -


or this -


You may (or not) be surprised to know that neither of these flies are, strictly speaking, Tenkara flies.
The first is an Italian Alpine pattern tied in the 1960s,
and the second is one tied in 2006 by myself, and is based on an
article on this site by Preston Singletary -
http://www.flyanglersonline.com/flyt...080706fotw.php

[EdD]

Donald,
Wouldn't Hewitt's Spider be considered a Tenkara-style fly, even if it wasn't created as such?
For that matter, wouldn't any skating-style fly be, in essence, in the Tenkara style?
I admit that I don't know.

Thanks,
Ed

[goneflyfishing]

There is no reason whey they wouldn't work on a "Western" fly fishing rig, but they will likely require the "appropriate presentation".

I would define Tenkara style flies that historically originated in Japan, whereas if you do some research, not all "Tenkara" flies have forward facing hackle, there are some with short stiff hackles, some that look very similar to traditional soft hackles and flymphs. Check these sites:

- http://www.hi-ho.ne.jp/amago/b-strea...g/tenkara.html
- http://www.hi-ho.ne.jp/amago/b-strea.../tenkara3.html
- http://www.hi-ho.ne.jp/amago/b-strea.../tenkara4.html
- http://www.hi-ho.ne.jp/amago/b-strea.../tenkara6.html
- http://www.hi-ho.ne.jp/amago/b-strea.../tenkara5.html

What is fascinating to me is that similar flies, equipment and techniques evolved (I assume) independently from each other in various geographical locations (Japan, Northern Italy, Highlands, etc.).

Tight Lines, -K

[Donald Nicolson]

That is the problem, 'Tenkara Flies' is not a very precise term, that is why I asked the question.
Any fly, no matter what the hackle can be cast with the appropriate 'western' rod.
As far as flies are concerned, the same situations, no matter where in the world, very often
produce very similar answers. I haven't seen a trout fly, within reason, that can't be used
on any rod, Italian Alpine,Tenkara, Loop rod or Modern Western.
So K, I totally agree with you.

[herefishy]

Guess I figured there would be no reason why they wouldn't work, just wondered why the Tenkara flies that I see displayed all have forward facing hackle.

[goneflyfishing]

The forward facing hackle style of Tenkara flies is the most common and most known style. The forward facing hackle, especially if it is the softer hackles (such as hen or game birds like partridge, pheasant etc.) will impart more movement and will pulsate when the fly is manipulated while fishing. Regular soft hackle fly's hackle tends to fold back and stay close to the body of the fly.

[CM_Stewart]

Donald,
Wouldn't Hewitt's Spider be considered a Tenkara-style fly, even if it wasn't created as such?
For that matter, wouldn't any skating-style fly be, in essence, in the Tenkara style?
I admit that I don't know.

Thanks,

Ed

I agree with Donald that any fly, within reason, can be used on any rod. Tenkara rods really push the envelope with respect to using a light line, though, which is essentially just a very long fly fishing leader. I've only tried to fish a Hewitt Spider once with a tenkara rod. It was so wind resistant that it was hard to cast. Imagine trying to cast one with your fly rod, with a 15' leader and no fly line past the rod tip. I think a very wind resistant fly, like a Hewitt Spider, or a very heavy fly, like a double bunny, are no longer within reason for a tenkara rod.

Most tenkara style flies are wet flies. The forward sweeping hackle, which in Japan is NOT at all sparse, almost acts like a sea anchor, providing some resistance and pulsing when the line is tightened to work the fly.

[EdD]

I'm curious as to size of the Hewitt Spider that you used. I wonder if a small fly, such as a 18-22 would be usable. It certainly might be a hoot for using on brookies.

Ed