written by Jason
This is one of my go-to patterns and lots of people have asked for a video on how to tie. It’s a simple pattern, but the two contrasting strands of horse hair used for the body create nice segmentation while the variegation of the grizzly hackle gives a complex, “buggy” impression.
Recepie
Hook: TMC 2499SPBL #12
Thread: Camel, 8/0
Hackle: Grizzly
Body: 2 strands of horse tail – 1 light, 1 dark
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14 Responses to Tenkara Flies on Wednesdays: The Horse Hair Sakasa Kebari
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Synthetic hair, such as Super Hair (like for Craven’s JujuBeatis), works well too. Super Hair also “glows” as light penetrates through it. It comes in many color variations.
Good point Tom. I prefer natural materials but using Superhair opens up a huge range of color combinations and possibilities. Hey, what if you used three strands all of different colors? The amazing technicolor dream kebari!
moose mane hair could likely make a good substitute if horsetail is not available. Great fly, I look forward to tying some up!
Great looking kebari. A few weeks ago I saw a magazine article that talked about using buck tail to try to create the segmented look.
Dale
Greg, moose works too but it can be brittle. Just test for strength before you wrap it in.
Dale, Thanks! Seems like buck tail might be kind of thin and would only be good on smaller flies. Did they just use one strand or a few strands and twist it?
I love this fly. Nice tie, Jason. Off to search eBay for horse hair…
Greg, I agree with Jason….I have tried using moose mane hair a number of times for the body of a sakasa kebari. It has never worked out too well. The hairs frequently break. Deer hair works better than moose but not as good as horse hair.
Great looking fly. Love the segmented look – but, where does one purchase horse hair?
Also, keep in mind moose and deer hair are hollow which will add bouyancy to your fly. Not really a desired quality in a fly that you want to sink.
Robert, I bought mine at Feathercraft. Make sure it has a mix of colors–not all light or all dark.
Thanks Jason.
jason: Love the look of that fly. The segmentation resembles that of A.K. Best quill body flies. Can I borrow a couple in Utah?
Sure thing Jim!
You made that look easy! I have yet to tie my first fly but I’m assuming it takes a bit of practice to pull it off that smoothly..Like Brian said now I’m off to get some horse hair too..and hooks…and hackle..and well everything!