The excitement of an upcoming trip to Japan and the pleasure of filling my fly box in a quiet, sunny spot. Not much beats the contentment of a fly tying hut in spring – and this year it needed some TLC before I could show you the step-by-step video of a great “confidence fly”.
I need to say thanks to John Sachen because he spotted my mistake in the “Azuma” character (representing “east” and containing characters for “sun” and “trees” – so perhaps derived from the idea of sun rising/shining through trees). Anyhoo – I should have started the vertical stroke so that it protrudes above the top horizontal stroke…Something I will be fixing next time I’m out in the garden with a pot of paint!
So, although it is very much an English shed, there are many favourite memories of adventures on Japanese, English and Italian trout streams that have their roots in the kebari (flies) that I’ve turned out at my old vice in there. Also, because summer is the best time to sit out there and tie, the idea of “summer house” or “Azumaya” seemed a really good fit.
I really hope that you can join me and JP on the next set of adventures on our big filming trip to Japan which is coming round really fast! We aim to fill Season 2 of “Tenkara in Focus” with some amazing, unique and original features. Of course, a central driving force will be the personalities and friendships in the global tenkara community.
If you don’t want to miss any of that – just go to the Discover Tenkara YouTube channel on this link:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG_32fIivZzXnhZLcMdoiGA
and subscribe (by clicking the little red and white “subscribe” icon underneath each video on the right of the screen) so that you can get updates as soon as they happen.
We will even look at doing some live-streaming of our exploits when our internet connection allows it – as well as video blog type entries that you won’t want to miss (especially as there’s a good chance it will involve us making fools of ourselves)…
The countdown to Japan begins – and we’re incredibly excited at what we plan to bring you so…
Let me know what you think of this blog post and tell me about your own favourite tying spaces in the comments below!
Paul
Hello great blog post. Yes of course I tie my on fly. I sit on my room and tying. Looking forward to read more. Thanks a lot.
Hey Tommy – thanks for checking out the video and also for sharing your own favourite tying space.
Thanks. I always enjoy learning new tying techniques.
Really glad that you found some good info in this piece Drew. I hope you like the stuff we bring back from Japan this time too 🙂 Let me know if you try that pattern and if it works for you too.
Paul
Beautiful tie Paul
Super kind of you to say so David. The version with the little pinch of purple shimmer-dub at the head is dynamite too when there’s a few inches of water on 🙂