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Killer Kebari

This is the fly that got attention at the pond, today. The water is really low and nothing new is going on... Summer is well on and the fish are "stressed." Noisy surface bugs had no effect, and I observed no top water activity. So I switched to buggy floater-sinkers.

Few flies fit this bill like tenkara-style "kebari." These simple flies land gently and remain in the surface film for 30 seconds or so. If no risers grab it, then it slowly sinks and acts like a wet fly/nymph. I got some surface swipes, but the serious takes happened beneath the water.

This was the first time I'd wet a line since my dad's passing. If I can just get my lazy butt up to the lake, I might do some good with the more competitive fish found there.

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Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on August 21, 2014 at 6:22am: There are lots of potential tying materials in the craft and sewing sections.

Comment by Steve Wilson on August 21, 2014 at 5:46am: Thanx for the info on the Wal-Mart feathers Scruffy..... had never thought about looking there.

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on August 20, 2014 at 9:00pm: Mr. Jack was a real mans angler. I've read so much of his stuff, it's like he's sitting next to me.
I've always admired his innovative use of simple materials. It also helps that he'd tied hundreds
of thousands of flies by the time of his passing.
My favorite example of his off-the-wall style is his little "Wet Mouse." I'll not spoil it by explaining, but encourage you to check it out yourself:

http://www.jackgartside.com/art_wet_mouse.htm

As for minimalism, I've been studying a book, "Simple Flies - Three Materials Or Less," by C. Boyd Pfeiffer. It's starting to have an influence on me....

Comment by jim cosgrove on August 20, 2014 at 8:44pm: yes they make a nice soft hackle.got lots of family who pheasant hunts so i have 100s myself.jack gartside has a great site david.like his minimalist approach to tying

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on August 20, 2014 at 6:51pm: You need to google Jack Gartside's piece about all the things you can do with a pheasant skin..... So here you go:
http://www.jackgartside.com/art_pheasant_feathers.htm

Comment by Allen Morgan on August 20, 2014 at 6:25pm: So that's a "Church Window" feather! Back in my beadworking days, we called them "almond" feathers, because of the shape. Nice to know, as I have a bunch of them already!

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on August 20, 2014 at 6:31am: Thanks, John
Tenkara is a lot like dapping, or dipping your fly here, then short drifting it there.
But I fish these like any other dry fly or wet nymph. If I incorporate a bit of foam in the body, they float more. Use a heavy hook and they sink better. Tenkara flies, however, are essentially meant for streams. Any action they might have in still water is dependent on me.
Fortunately, our Southern bluegill and bass have never heard of tenkara. They take them well enough, without knowing they shouldn't.

Comment by John Sheehan on August 20, 2014 at 5:27am: Looks great David!

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on August 19, 2014 at 7:13pm: Allen, these were tied using a pheasant "church window" feather and brown thread body.
I got the feather from one of those Walmart craft packs:

http://mobile.walmart.com/ip/Kids-Craft-Feathers-Brown/19526618

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on August 19, 2014 at 7:07pm: Thanks, men.
If I wasnt so interested in trying different things, I can seriously see where these kebari could fulfill the "One Fly" concept people talk about. I've caught both sunfish and bass on them, and I'm pretty sure a few others could fall to them.
Jim - my pond is a micro pool, so it is really affected by low water conditions. The fish are very finicky and have seen a lot of flies. For these to take them under those conditions speaks volumes. I hope you can take advantage of your perfect conditions for a few more months.