Classic Inspired Sakasa Kebari



The Abbey, a classic wet fly.

One of my favorite sources for ideas to tie new sakasa kebari come from that beautiful group of flies known as classic wet flies.  Many of these flies could be considered miniature works of art in my opinion.  The color schemes, names, and histories of these flies make for very interesting reading.  Since I do not tie elaborate salmon flies that make your jaw drop when you look at them, these classic wet flies are as close as I can come to feeling a deep connection with fly fishermen of the past.  I tie these kind of flies once and a while but I don't fish with them.  I like the challenge of making them but the time, effort and materials that go into them do not seem worth it when you have to fill a fly box with them or you loose a number of them in stream side vegetation.  There are a few people out there who continue to tie and fish them, but not many and that number is probably decreasing.  I think that is a shame but I think some characteristics of these flies can still be useful.  Therefore, I looked to a classic wet that I'm fond of, the Abbey, for a new sakasa kebari. My newest fly I simply call an Abbey Sakasa Kebari to acknowledge it's origins and the inspiration for creating it.  Will it catch trout? I don't know but the way I figure it, if the original Abbey did, why not this fly?  I will post my experiences with it if winter ever decides to pack it's bags and leave.



Abbey Sakasa Kebari



Abbey Sakasa Kebari

Hook: Mustad C49S #12

Hackle: Hungarian partridge

Thread: black Uni-Thread 6/0

Body: red Pearsall's silk

Rib: small gold wire

Tag: gold mylar tinsel

Tail: golden pheasant tippets

PS I also have done a Grizzly King Sakasa Kebari which I will post at a later date.