One Box, Ready to Fish.
You’ve got your tenkara rod rigged and you’re standing at the river, but which fly do you tie on first? This assortment skips that decision. It’s 24 reverse hackle wet flies in a useful mix of sizes and colors, packed in a waterproof box you can clip straight to your vest.
What Makes a Tenkara Fly Different
Traditional kebari are tied with the hackle reversed, so the fibers point forward and pulse in the current instead of trailing back like a Western wet fly. That movement happens on its own, even on a simple dead drift, which is part of why this style of fly has stayed effective for centuries. The assortment includes natural colors like brown and black alongside brighter red and yellow patterns, all tied on barbless hooks for quick releases.
How to Fish This Assortment
Start with brown or black in clear water, especially over rocky or dark streambeds. Switch to red or yellow in stained water, low light, or when you want a brighter profile to stand out. As a general rule, larger sizes handle higher or faster water, and smaller sizes work better once things drop and clear in summer.
The classic tenkara presentation is a simple dead drift or a gentle pulse, lifting the rod tip slightly to make the fly rise and fall in the current. No split shot or floatant needed. These flies are built to sink and move on their own.
Common Questions
Do I need split shot or floatant? No. These are wet flies meant to fish below the surface. The thread body and soft hackle give them enough presence in the water without any extra weight or treatment.
Can I fish these on a Western fly rod instead of tenkara? Yes. They work well as droppers on a dry-dropper rig or fished wet-fly style on a 3-5wt rod.
How do I pick a color? A simple starting point is matching the bottom. Dark, rocky streambeds call for brown or black. Lighter, sandy bottoms or stained water are a good match for yellow or red.
Are the hooks strong enough for bigger trout? Yes, they’re high-carbon steel and hold up well on solid fish. Being barbless makes for quicker, cleaner releases, which matters if you’re fishing catch-and-release water.
Specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Flies | 24, mixed sizes and colors |
| Hook | Curved tenkara hook, chemically sharpened, barbless |
| Hook Material | High-carbon steel |
| Hackle | Soft hackle fibers, reverse-wrapped |
| Body | Thread-wrapped, color-fast |
| Colors Included | Brown, Black, Red, Yellow (mix varies by batch) |
| Target Species | Trout, Grayling, Panfish |
| Packaging | Reusable, waterproof fly box |
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