Ishigaki Kebari

The Ishigaki Kebari is the only fly pattern that Dr. Ishigaki, one of Japan's tenkara masters, has used for the past ten years. He does not call it the Ishigaki Kebari. He would not name a fly after himself, but I think it is only fitting that we do so.

In May 2009 Dr. Ishigaki gave a slide presentation and on-stream demonstration of tenkara at the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum. His visit seems to have kicked off the interest in tenkara in the US. In an interview after the presentation, he said that what he likes about tenkara is the simplicity.

He definitely takes that appreciation for simplicity to his choice of flies. Years ago he ran out of his favorite fly and went to a fly shop to get replacements. He saw this extremely simple fly, bought it, and found that he caught just as many fish with it as he did with his favorite.

From that experience, he came to the conclusion that the choice of fly is not the most important factor in catching fish, the technique is. And from then on, he has fished this one fly. This simple fly allows one to fish with many different techniques.

The Ishigaki Kebari is constructed with just a hackle feather and a thread body. When he tied his fly at the demonstration in the Catskills, he used brown rooster hackle and black thread. Dr. Ishigaki uses simple sewing thread from the equivalent of a 99 cent store. He also ties the same fly with a grey thread body and a grizzly hackle.

Tying the Ishigaki Kebari

So, the Ishigaki Kebari the only fly you'll ever fish? Almost certainly not. But is it the only fly you need? Well, let me just say that Dr. Ishigaki, who knows more about tenkara than we do, thinks it's the only one he needs. He considers both variations (black body with brown hackle and gray body with grizzly hackle) to still be one fly.

The Soft Hackled Ishigaki Kebari

Not being one to leave well enough alone, I've been modifying the Ishigaki Kebari for almost as long as I've been tying it.

At his tying demonstration in the Catskills, Dr. Ishigaki clearly indicated that he tied his fly with rooster hackle. Partially motivated by the shortage of good quality saddle hackle and partially by the fact that soft hackled flies are phenomenally productive, I've started tying the Ishigaki Kebari  as a soft hackle. The step-by-step above shows the Ishigaki Kebari tied with dyed partridge hackle. The gray bodied fly tied with partridge breast feathers is also a clear winner.

Whether to use rooster hackle or soft hackle depends on where you will fish the fly. In fast current the stiffer rooster hackle will probably work better.

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Tenkara USA claims a trademark on the name "Ishigaki Kebari" even though they did not develop the pattern and the name was in the public sphere ever since Dr. Ishigaki made the recipe and tying instructions public in May of 2009.

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