by Amanda Hoffner Sakasa flies originated in Japan hundreds of years ago. The name refers to the way the hackle is tied onto the hook, which in this case is “reverse”.  There are many types of fixed line fishing from cultures other than Japan’s that use reverse style hackle but tenkara’s most iconic and recognizable fly would be this one. It was the first fly I came across while researching tenkara and I have been quite successful with it on the bluelines of the Appalachian mountains. It can be fished in any kind of water whether it be through an...

By Félix Lamoureux Originally created by Marc Leblanc, this fly has caught many Salmon! Recipe: Hook: Daiichi 2051 size 3-7 Thread: White Uni 8/0 and blue sky for the head Tag and ribbig: Small French Oval Silver Tinsel. Body: Krystal Flash pearl Wings: White Arctic fox under krystal flash under light brown arctic fox. Hackle: Gray Pheasant ringneck followed by Silver Pheasant.  

By Jamie Pike Where do I really begin?  I suppose I should go back to when I first tried my hand at binding feather and fur to the cold steel of a hook.  I was  a Paramedic in a small rural Newfoundland community.  I was new to the area, and knew no one there except the other medical staff that I had been introduced to.  The  drive was approximately an hour from my residence and I then would live in a small apartment within the firehall for 4 consecutive days (24hr days) then I would return home for 3 days. ...

By Kenzie Kozera   Originating in 1878, the Akroyd was a creation of Mr. Charles Akroyd and quickly became one of the most common patterns to swim the River Dee. Although initially tied for Atlantic Salmon, the Akroyd has become a popular steelhead fly as well. Variants of the Akroyd such as the white wing, cinnamon wing, or double wing have seen world-wide usage and are believed to be as effective, as they are beautiful.   Recipe: Thread: White for the rear of the fly and black for the front and head. Tag: Silver Tinsel. Body: First half: yellow seal...

by Fred Klein   The Blue Jay fly is a beautiful fly pattern with origins unknown but likely in the British Isles, as with many old patterns. The first documented account was included in Charles Orvis’ book ‘Fishing With The Fly’ in 1883. The wet fly shown on an oil color plate shows an American Blue Jay wing feather. American Blue Jays have been protected since 1918, all other references found later than this use European Blue Jay feathers, which are still readily available today.   Blue Jay as shown in Ray Bergman's Trout 1938   Jay Silver as shown...