Traditional Japanese Fly Tenkara 2 |
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| There are flies I got at various places or tied by myself. It is interesting that tenkara fly has local color. |
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Koshu Kuromori area
Koshu Kuromori fly has been handed down on area in a traffic strategic location where Yamanashi is connected with Nagano from of old.
In "Tenkara Club vol.3", Goro Fujiwara expert said that the branch of straight dry Japanese larch of 12 feet or more in length was used for the rod,
and it was casted up and down.
The upper photos are the valuable flies that were tied by the late Masanori Togawa expert
who was the kingpin of traditional tenkara fishing.
I got them from Togawa expert's wife.
Each flies of black or white or brown were used properly by the river and time.
The Kuromori flies are tied to the heavy hook of the wide gape,
and the bodies are thickish and the color not so used in other flies are used.
I heard that there are few people who hand down the kuromori fly fishing now.
It is really regrettable.
The under photos are flies that I tied by the colors of triple hook flies for beginner that were designed by Togawa expert,
and commercial flies of blue and yellow body that appeared in the book.
(Sources of reference: Tenkara club vol.3 Ah! Koshu Kuromori Fly by Shigeru Wakabayashi Kosaido Publishing 2002) |
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Zaou Togatta area
This is "Togatta fly" that Hunter of the south Zaou hot spring village has handed down.
The skin of the stalk when pheasant and copper pheasant's rectrixes are picked off is used as wing.
And it is tied to the hook for sea perch fishing with a golden yellow silk thread trebl places.
It seems to look like the fishing of fluttering caddis of flyfishing.
This is unparalleled fly invented by the environment of the Sumikawa River where a lot of caddisflies (Stenopsyche japonica) live, and fisherman's wisdoms.
It is said that the person who is able to make this fly became very few, too now.
The fly of image was tied by myself referring to a detailed introduction of web page "Fu-un western style flyfisher notebook".
(Sources of reference: Web page Fu-un western style flyfisher notebook, Yoshio's road that came at one time Miyagi T.V. 2006) |
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Kaga area
Kaga-kebari fly's origin goes back until Edo period.
Kaga is present Ishikawa Prif.
At that time, Kaga Domain encouraged the river fishing (sweetfish) as samurai's privilege,
and competed for not only the fishing results but also the making and the beauty of their flies.
In the Meiji period (1868-1912), anybody was allowed to enjoy fishing, and selling flies became businesses.
Kaga's artificial flies for the sweetfish were displayed at National Exhibition in 1890, and they were praised for their beauty by the people all over the nation.
The technique of the traditional craftwork of the Japan paint and gold foil is used for small flies.
Photo's flies were tied with the traditional craftwork of sweet fish by Meboso Hachirobei Co. as flies for the Iwana and Yamame.
(Sources of reference: Digital Archives of Ishikawa Japan, Web page Meboso Hachirobei Co.) |
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Banshu area
The history of Banshu flies originate in Takagun Banshu area (Nishiwaki Hyogo prefecture).
A record of methods of fly production of the late Edo Period has been found in the Banshu area.
The tradition of Banshu flies achieved through skillful incorporation of techniques developed in Kyoto, and it is carried on to this day.
Today, Kaga, Tosa, and Banshu are representative fly-producing region in Japan.
Banshu flies are designated as a traditional craftwork of excellence by the Ministry of industry and Trade.
Photo's flies were tied by Ryuoh Fly Shop as flies of mountain stream for trout, etc.
(Sources of reference: Banshu fly Pamphlet Banshu Tsuribari Coop. Kitaharima Industrial Deveropment Org. 2004) |
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Mutsu Morioka area
Traditional flies in Morioka Iwate prefecture.
Now, we can get those flies as traditional craft work that is kept by craftsmen.
Those flies are like Tenkara but the rig is unique.
It is generally used 5.4m (18ft.) rod.
It has line and leader as long as rod, float that is made of angelica tree at the tip of the leader, fly that has 40cm (16in.) tippet in front of the float.
And four flies that has very short tippet are tied at intervals of 30 or 40cm (12-16in.) above the float.
After casting to the other side, it float flies down a river with line tight.
It is called "Nagashi-tsuri".
The flies of the upper row and the left under were tied by Mr. Zenji Sakurai.
The 3 flies from the right of the under were tied by Shunji Uchida.
(Sources of reference: Mountain fishing "Trout and person's natural histories" by Fujio Suzuno Rural Culture Association 1993,
Quiet place Fishing of Iwate Fishing in southern part Morioka fly by Shou Murata Yama-Kei Publishers Co., Ltd. 1988) |
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Okushinano Akiyamago area
These are traditional flies of Akiyamago village that is located on the border of Nagano and Niigata prefecture.
These are very simple flies because those are made of two silk thread of red and black,
brown hackle with black stem, hook of Gamakatsu Seigo 7 - 9.
And these do not use even head cement.
Eye is made by silk thread that was inserted a paper string to keep the eye hole.
Body is made by cuting of hackle.
The right fly is variation with grizzly hackle.
These are flies of late Mr. Shigeo Yamada who is the last occupational fisherman in Akiyama-go village.
Now, Mr. Kenzo Hayashi is sticking to fishing with this fly.
The lower 2 variations are introduced on the web page "Fu-un western style flyfisher notebook" though the prototype is the same.
These are the flies of the former storekeeper of fishing tackle shop and the landlord of a guesthouse "Yuzansou".
The images are flies that I tied and referring to the above-mentioned introduction.
(Sources of reference: Tenkara club vol.2 "Akiyama fly" of Kenzo Hayashi by Daichi Uesugi Kosaido Publishing 2001, Web page Fu-un western style flyfisher notebook) |
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Nikko area
Nikko flies (Gorocho flies) were modeled after Gorocho (Stenopsyche japonica) because many Gorocho lived in Yugawa river of Nikko.
These were ordered to Hardy by someone of diplomats or Tokyo Angling club's members
that they had enjoyed trout fishing in Yugawa river and Marunuma lake in the beginning of Showa era or the late Meiji era.
These flies were registered to Hardy and records remain even now.
These have hackle of Japanese hen pheasant's breast feather, body of cotton of flowering fern.
In the book "Trout fishing" of Hiroki Meguro, Nikko flies are shown from No.1 to No.8.
But the details cannot be understood because illustrations are indistinct and it is primitive.
Especially, Nikko No.7 is the fern wing type but the difference point with No.2 cannot be understood.
(Sources of reference: Separate volume No.22 Fishing Introduction Fly fishing of Japan Sanpou Publishing 1981,
Trout fishing Supplement Iwana, Yamame by Hiroki Meguro Sugiyama publishing 1935, Reprint Ateneshobo 1979) |
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Kyoto area
Traditional fly in Kyoto.
The original fly had hackle of blue dun, body of peacock herl, tail of dark brown hackle tip.
Hook was bait hook of trout fishing and eye was made by dark brown yarn.
Photos are process of reproduction and finished fly.
Photo's fly hook is Gamakatsu Yamame No.8 and eye is Kevlar yarn.
A way to attach the eye of yarn is as follows.
Tie folded strong yarn in half with thread under the shank of the hook and put head cement or instant glue after that.
Finish the shank of the hook as slender as possible.
(Sources of reference: The world of Flyfishing Tenkara secrets by Soseki Yamamoto Asahi Sonorama 1987) |
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Typical Tenkara
These have hackle of Japanese pheasant's alula, body of cotton of flowering fern, ribbing of flat gold tinsel,
or body of yellow wool yarn, under body of flat gold tinsel.
The last fly has hackl of sparrow's primaries. ( Tied by myself. 2001 ) |
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