Tenkara Fly Assortment

The Problem Every Tenkara Angler Faces

You’ve got your tenkara rod, your level line is rigged, and you’re standing at the river. But which fly do you tie on? Size 12 or 14? Brown or black? Traditional sakasa kebari or something flashier? For new tenkara anglers, this choice paralysis wastes precious fishing time. That’s why we created this tenkara fly assortment—a pre-selected mix of 24 reverse hackle flies in the sizes and colors that actually catch fish, so you can skip the guesswork and start fishing.

What Makes Tenkara Flies Different?

Unlike Western wet flies designed for specific insect hatches, traditional tenkara flies use a reverse hackle design where the fibers pulse forward in the current. This creates a lifelike breathing motion that triggers aggressive strikes from trout, even when they’re not actively feeding. Our assortment includes classic color combinations—brown and black for natural presentations, red and yellow for attractor patterns—all tied on chemically sharpened high-carbon steel hooks that sink fast and hold fish securely.

The 24-Fly Configuration (Engineered for Success)

We didn’t just randomly throw flies in a box. This tenkara fly assortment is based on real-world data from tenkara guides:

• 12× Size #14 (50% of the box): The most versatile size. Works in medium flows, spring through fall. If you could only fish one size forever, this is it.
• 8× Size #12 (33%): Bigger profile for high water, spring runoff, or aggressive fish. Also great for pocket water and freestone streams.
• 4× Size #16 (17%): Your summer specialist. When water is low and trout are spooky, downsize to #16 for technical presentations.

Each size comes in multiple colors so you can match water clarity and light conditions. Clear water? Start with brown or black. Stained water or low light? Switch to red or yellow.

Materials & Durability (Why These Last Longer)

Every fly in this assortment features:

• Reverse-wrapped soft hackle: CDC (cul de canard) or hen feather—natural oils provide subtle movement without added floatant
• Thread body construction: Metallic or silk thread wrapped over the hook shank—durable and maintains color after repeated use
• Chemically sharpened hooks: High-carbon steel holds a needle-sharp point even after hooking rocks or logs
• Barbless design: Quick, clean releases preserve wild trout populations and comply with catch-and-release regulations

We’ve stress-tested these flies in Western mountain streams and Eastern tailwaters. The thread bodies hold up to 20+ fish before showing wear, and the hackle remains mobile even after being chewed by aggressive browns.

How to Fish This Assortment (Seasonal Tactics)

Spring (March-May): Start with size #12 in brown or black. High flows mean bigger flies and natural colors work best. Cast upstream and let the fly dead-drift like a drowned caddis or mayfly nymph.

Summer (June-August): Switch to #14 or #16 as water levels drop. Red and yellow patterns excel during terrestrial season (ants, beetles, grasshoppers falling into the water). Use a pulsing retrieve to imitate struggling insects.

Fall (September-November): Back to #12 and #14 in darker colors. Trout are feeding heavily before winter—brown and black flies mimic dying baitfish and nymphs.

Winter (Low-water periods): Size #16 in black. Slow, methodical drifts in deep pools where trout hold during cold snaps.

Common Questions About This Tenkara Fly Assortment

Q: Do I need to add split shot or floatant?
A: No. These are wet flies designed to sink naturally. The thread body and soft hackle provide enough weight for subsurface fishing. If you want them to sink faster, just add a tiny bit of mud or saliva to the hackle.

Q: Can I use these with a Western fly rod (not tenkara)?
A: Absolutely. These work great as droppers on a dry-dropper rig, or fish them wet fly swing style on a 3-5 weight rod. The reverse hackle design is deadly in any moving water.

Q: How do I know which color to start with?
A: General rule: Match the bottom. Rocky, dark streambeds = brown or black. Sandy, light bottoms = yellow or tan. Stained or murky water = red or bright colors for visibility.

Q: Are the hooks strong enough for big trout?
A: Yes. These high-carbon steel hooks handle 16-20″ trout without bending. The barbless design actually increases hookup rates because the point penetrates faster.

Q: What if I lose flies? Can I buy individual refills?
A: We offer single-size 6-packs of our most popular patterns (check our Wet Flies category). But with 24 flies in this assortment, you’ve got plenty to lose a few to snags and trees.

Technical Specifications

• Total Flies: 24 (8×#12, 12×#14, 4×#16)
• Hook Type: Curved tenkara hook, chemically sharpened, barbless
• Hook Material: High-carbon steel with corrosion-resistant coating
• Hackle Material: CDC feather or soft hen hackle (reverse-wrapped)
• Body Material: Metallic or silk thread (color-fast dyed)
• Color Assortment: Brown, black, red, yellow, olive (mix varies by batch)
• Target Species: Trout (rainbow, brown, cutthroat, brook), grayling, panfish
• Packaging: Compartmentalized fly box (reusable, waterproof)
• Weight: 0.8 oz (23g) including box
• Origin: Hand-tied by commercial tiers using traditional tenkara methods

Why Buy From Rivfly?

We’re fly fishermen who got tired of paying boutique prices for simple, effective patterns. This tenkara fly assortment cuts out the middleman—you get the same quality flies sold by specialty shops, but at a direct-to-consumer price. We don’t spend money on glossy catalogs or celebrity endorsements. We spend it on better materials and fair wages for the tiers who hand-wrap every fly.

Every assortment ships within 24 hours (Monday-Friday) via USPS First Class Mail. If a fly arrives damaged or doesn’t perform as described, contact us for a free replacement—no questions asked.