Tying a Sakasa Kebari Fly

Tying a Sakasa Kebari fly is a traditional Japanese technique used in tenkara fishing. Here are the steps to tie this fly:

Materials Needed

1. Hook: Size 10-16 curved hook or straight hook.

2. Thread: Black or any preferred color.

3. Hackle: Soft hen hackle, usually in a light color like white, brown, or grey.

4. Body Material: Peacock herl, dubbing, or floss.

5. Scissors

6. Hackle pliers

7. Whip finisher

Steps to Tie the Sakasa Kebari Fly

1. Start the Thread:
   

• Attach the thread to the hook shank near the eye and wrap it back to the bend of the hook.

1. Prepare the Hackle:
   

• Select a soft hen hackle feather. Strip the fluff from the base of the feather, leaving a clean stem for tying in.

1. Tie in the Hackle:
   

• Tie in the hackle by the base, with the concave side facing forward towards the hook eye. The feather should be tied in at the bend of the hook.

1. Wrap the Hackle:
   

• Using hackle pliers, wrap the hackle forward in open spirals towards the hook eye. The hackle fibers should splay out towards the hook bend, giving the fly its distinctive "reverse" hackle look.

• Secure the hackle with a few wraps of thread near the hook eye and trim any excess feather stem.

1. Create the Body:
   

• Attach the body material (peacock herl, dubbing, or floss) just behind the hackle. Wrap the body material back towards the bend of the hook and then forward again to create a slightly tapered body. Secure with thread wraps and trim any excess.

1. Form the Head:
   

• Wrap the thread to create a neat head just behind the hook eye.

1. Whip Finish:
   

• Use a whip finisher to tie off the thread securely. Trim the thread close to the hook eye.

1. Optional:

• Apply a small drop of head cement to the thread wraps to ensure durability.

Your Sakasa Kebari fly is now ready to use for tenkara fishing. The reverse hackle design helps the fly pulsate in the water, imitating a living insect and attracting fish