How to tie tenkara flies: The Ishigaki Kebari™
Materials:
1) Size 12 hook (this can vary according to preference, size 12 is the one Ishigaki uses most often)
2) Sewing thread, such as polyester thread, or some other thick thread. Black is most common for this fly
3) Rooster hackle, such as an inexpensive wooly bugger feather pack
Instructions on tying the Ishigaki Kebari
1) Place hook securely on vise, with hook shank parallel to your table. Secure thread onto the hook by wrapping thread over loose end of thread.
2) Trim excess thread.
2) Wrap thread to the point where you want your hackle to begin (about 6-8 turns),
3) Secure the stem of rooster hackle (longer feather) with the tip facing toward eye of hook, and stem pointed to hook bend.
4) Wrap thread toward the end of the hook until where you want the hackle to stop (about 4-6 turns).
5) Wrap hackle around the hook, trying to have each turn be done behind the other toward hook bend. Stop where it meets thread.
6) You can make a fly more sparse, or bushier by doing fewer or more wraps. I typically do about 4 wraps of the hackle around hook.
7) Secure feather with 3 or 4 wraps of thread. Cut remaining of feather.
8) From here you will build the body of your fly with thread. Build it as thin or as thick as you wish. Brush hackle forward to get fibers out of the way. You can build a collar with thread to get a more pronounced reverse hackle.
9) Your fly is looking like a tenkara sakasa kebari.
10) From here you will build the body of your fly with thread. Build it as thin or as thick as you wish.
11) Finish your fly with some type of knot. The objective is to trap your thread by wrapping thread around it and pulling tight.