Kebari - hook size

[Deleted]

I have been fishing with my Tenkara rods for about 12 months. In that time I have used mainly small nymphs and midge type patterns in the hook range from 18 - 24. I did try size 26 but decided that was just too small. I mainly fish for coarse fish and have had great fun catching bleak, and dace. Tenkara certainly puts the fun back into fishing.

This year I have decided to fish with Kebari flies, which I tie myself. From what I have read the hook size norm appears to be a 12, which to me seems huge. What size Kebari flies do other forum members use?

David

[springerman]

Hello David,
I am no expert but use flies from 10's down to 16's.  Just use what you normally use.  That said, hooks vary from manufacturer to manufacturer but I am sure you know that.  There is plenty of information contained in this forum which I know will help you, along with more experienced practitioners.  I am sure with a little experimenting the fish will tell you the size is right.
Confidence is what you use helps as well.
Good Luck and have a great season.
Ian.

[Deleted]

Good morning Ian

Thanks for the info. 
The ironic thing is that I fly fished for 40 years, mostly nymphs and North Country spiders and the smallest fly I ever used was a #16, mostly #14s. For various reasons I gave up fly fishing when I retired and moved down to Gloucestershire. It was only by chance that I learned about Tenkara on the internet. I bought a book by Ed Koch called fishing the midge and got hooked on fishing small flies. My go-to fly is usually a #20, so you can imagine what it feels like to tie a #12. My friends think I am mad but I get a huge amount of satisfaction from catching bleak!!The Tenkara rod is ideal.

So I had better order some larger hooks. At least I have an excuse to tie more flies, not that I really need one.

Incidentally when I lived in Cheshire I fished the Ribble quite a bit. I see from your posts it is one of your waters. A lovely river I only wished I lived a bit closer to fish it with a Tenkara rod.

Have a good season

Regards

David

[springerman]

Hi David,
Have a look at this link.  It is from the Discover Tenkara web site (Blog).  It may help you.  
www.discovertenkara.co.uk/blog/blog-13.html
Ian.

[Deleted]

Many thanks Ian. Much appreciated.

David

[adric]

Jan 22, 2017 15:15:59 GMT @davidsr said:

I have been fishing with my Tenkara rods for about 12 months. In that time I have used mainly small nymphs and midge type patterns in the hook range from 18 - 24. I did try size 26 but decided that was just too small. I mainly fish for coarse fish and have had great fun catching bleak, and dace. Tenkara certainly puts the fun back into fishing.

This year I have decided to fish with Kebari flies, which I tie myself. From what I have read the hook size norm appears to be a 12, which to me seems huge. What size Kebari flies do other forum members use?

David

Hi David
The word Kebari means fly in Japanese so size depends on conditions that the fly is being used in and not the name. In Japan the streams where the Tenkara originated have a very steep gradient. So the flow is higher than most British streams. A large fly would be appropriate for this situation. Fly size is dictated by the conditions and fish being sort.
You might enjoy tying flies with a reversed hackle (though not all Japanese Kebari have a reversed hackle) suitable for use when catching dace and bleak.
Richard

[Deleted]

Hi Richard
Many thanks for the info. Much appreciated.
Regards
David