Tenkara Flies

[Jordan Williams]

Hey BBG Members,

Just curious, What are some favorite flies to use on bluegill with a tenkara. Its an 11' Iwana. Just tryin to stock up the fly box for the upcoming spring.

[Joe Angelucci]

Jordan

First welcome to the madness. I started Tenkara fishing about a year ago. Had a great 2012 season with about 700+ bluegill about half were taken  with a 11' Fountainhead Caddis 360  and a Daiwa Soyokaze. The plus with the Daiwa rod was that it could also be use for micro fishing with bait. My two best flies last year were a # 12 Adams Dry and a #12 Black Gnat. I also added micro shot #10 when I wanted to fish the flies wet. 

JDA

[Craig Stockton]

I have 2 Japanese Tenkara rods. One is 17' the other 25' . I love these rods with floats, I have special floats from Japan for them.  Do you use floats? How do you rig your outfit?

[Chris Stewart]

The sakasa kebari style flies work very well, particularly if you fish 3-4 flies at a time (check local regs, some states don't let you fish more than two). They don't need to be elaborate, and fragile materials like peacock herl or pheasant tail are best left for trout flies. I also have done well with killer bugs, which are extremely durable compared to hackled flies. Killer buggers (killer bug with a marabou tail)  may be even better.

[klrbaer]

I love using size 12 and 14 nymphs with my Tenkara.  

[Jordan Williams]

Thanks guys, ive had my tenkara about a year but havnt had it out much, when i did i was just using some foam beetles. I plan to use it lots more this upcoming season especially when the spawn hits. How would a black thread body ant work??

[Joe Angelucci]

.Since Bluegill feed on terrestrial insects an ant should work fine. I would keep the hook size to #12. 

[dick tabbert]

I hope the aren't offended if I offer then flies on #8 and #10.  I can't see a #12 let alone a #14 or #16 but still enjoy tying.

[Joe Angelucci]

At the end of the day , it's all good. I wish I had the skill to create my own flies.

 

[Stan Wright]

I use what ever fly the fish seem to be biting. After all, using a tenkara rod is still fly fishing... you just don't have to deal with using a reel.   LOL LOL LOL