There are days I hate having to make decisions. I have moderate adult ADHD, and it can be a real challenge. On top of that, I am easily distracted—yet I can also hyper-focus on certain things. Lately, I have noticed more people around me dealing with the same tug-of war. I suspect, though I can’t prove, that our digital age of information overload plays a big role in this.
Every day, we are hit with hundreds—if not thousands—of choices. Some are easy; others matter more. Minimalist practice teaches that if we reduce the number of small decisions we make, we free up energy, time, and brain space for the important ones.
If you are a tenkara angler, you already understand the value of simplicity. And yet, we all have a tendency to complicate things—usually in the fool’s pursuit of “mastery” or trying to “gain an edge.” It’s a very human habit: mistaking complexity for nuance.
I like to compare it to cooking. A good dish has a few key ingredients and a thoughtful process that—if done well—brings out the best flavors. But start piling on extra herbs, spices, and flashy techniques (especially in the name of creativity), and you risk smothering the ingredients entirely.
Today, I want to focus on fly choice. I have always loved the idea of having a fly box filled only with patterns I enjoy fishing. But when I look at the multiple fly boxes I own, it feels like I’ve packed more options than there are bugs in the Encyclopedia of Entomology.
(Okay, that’s a slight exaggeration… but you know what I mean.) I spent a lot of time at the vise this past winter, experimenting with materials and designs. The result? A treasure trove of misfits and crazy flies I’m curious about trying.
While tenkara’s philosophy is “keep it simple,” that doesn’t mean it has to be boring. Simplicity isn’t about stripping away creativity or functionality, it’s about cutting through the noise. Sure, it’s subjective. But most of us know a well-designed fly when we see it and we know an overworked design when we see it too.
Too often, anglers obsess over the wrong details—tying or buying flies as if the magic lies in mimicking the exact insect at the exact moment. That Western “match the hatch” mindset is hard to shake. But in my experience, being close in size and color is usually enough. Fish strike because they see the fly first, then maybe recognize it as food, and finally, only if it’s worth expending the energy to eat it.
Three Flies for Clarity, Two for Curiosity
This article isn’t about my secret patterns or seasonal formulas. It’s about five flies that help me stay focused: three that support visibility and confidence, one that encourages curiosity, and one that’s there for when nothing else is working. This limited set keeps me engaged, connected, and on the water.
The first three flies in my box are variations of the same medium firm-hackle sakasa kebari, tied in two or sometimes three sizes (8, 12, and 14). Yes, sometimes I want some soft hackle flies and add those as well. Same fly designs but with soft hackle. You do you, substitute a futsu or another style if you prefer. The only real difference between these three flies is the thread color.
Thread color matters—for me, and possibly for the fish primarily about visibility. Depending on the light, water clarity, and streambed color, a fly can disappear unless it provides enough contrast. These three thread colors give me a range of visibility options without changing the fly’s behavior in the water. I am referring to both the fish seeing the fly and me also being able to see the fly at times.
1. The Bright One – Red Thread (or any high-contrast color)
This is my go-to in bright midday sun, turbulent water, or when sight-fishing. The vibrant thread paired with soft hen or grizzly hackle gives enough visual pop to track the drift. It is a confidence fly when I need maximum visibility.
2. The Subtle One – Cream, Olive, or Brown Thread
Perfect for shaded water or cloudy skies. It offers just enough contrast without being flashy. It keeps a natural profile and is the one I most often start with when conditions are not calling for anything specific.
3. The Dark One – Black or Deep Purple Thread
In low light or silt-stirred water, dark flies create a strong silhouette. I use this in the early mornings, at dusk, or in deeper pools. The contrast helps me see the fly’s movement and detect subtle takes. It is theorized that fish in murky water can recognize dark flies as food faster, it is a matter of contrast. Lighter flies just seem invisible in that seasonal chocolate milk runoff.
4. Angler’s Choice – Tie What You Like
One of the gifts of tenkara is the room it leaves for personal expression. Even in a minimalist fly box, I always carry one that breaks the mold—something experimental, nostalgic, or just good fun. A fly that makes me ask, “What if?”
This is how I came up with my “Matchstick Sakasa Kebari.” For you, maybe it’s a fly tied with peacock herl like your grandfather used, or one inspired by a blog post that mentioned pink thread. Classic or contemporary design, this fly is the one that you are curious about. It can be a wild card or a favorite go-to fly. Having a connection, even to just one fly in your box, keeps things grounded and personal. And sometimes, the oddball is the one fish cannot resist.
5. The Killer Bug – A Weighted Fly for Tough Days
The Killer Bug has a history. Originally designed by Frank Sawyer for grayling, it’s proven itself on trout streams around the world—and it has become a staple for many tenkara anglers.
My version is simple: a yarn or hair dubbed body, a contrasting head end, and possibly ribbed with copper or silver wire. This fly gets down deep quickly, drifts naturally, and has a proven track record. Whether it imitates a scud, a caddis larva, or just “food,” it works. I don’t always fish it—but when I do, I’m glad it’s there.
Fewer Flies, Better Fishing – Keep It Simple, Keep It You
There’s freedom in limits. Simplicity doesn’t mean rigidity, it just means starting with what works and letting the river guide the rest. This idea is about having a plan but also leaving room for creativity and trying new things.
You don’t need a box full of flies to fish well. A small, intentional set—chosen for visibility, confidence, and curiosity—can take you far. Over time, I hope you find that the flies you choose become your strategy and part of your personal angling story.
The longer you fish tenkara, the more you notice the quiet refinements: how hackle angles affect drift, how thread color changes when it gets wet, or how a fly settles in different currents. These are the real lessons learned through putting flies in the water. Your inspiration at the vise is important so be sure to experiment and be curious.
Good luck keeping your fly box and choices simple. Let a few good flies do the heavy lifting. And leave room for one that just makes you smile. Because in the end, we don’t have to outsmart the fish, we have to outsmart our myths.
Dennis Vander Houwen is an early adopter of tenkara, he lives and fishes all over Colorado. For more information on living simply or approaching a richer life with fewer things check out his blog, Tenkara Path, where you can also support his tenkara lifestyle by purchasing one of his amazing, handmade tenkara line spool, fly keepers. Learn more about Tenkara Lifestyles here.
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I settled on a slightly different approach to reconciling my ADHD and experimentation tendencies with keeping it simple. I tie many different variations so I can enjoy experimenting at the vise. However, I recognize that they fall into a handful of functionally equivalent groups. So my box is sorted by general type (wet/dry/streamer) then sub-category (futsu/jun/sakasa/weighted). From there, it’s just light vs dark, and big or small. On stream, I take my best guess as to what the situation calls for and select whatever jumps out at me from the appropriate section. Of course, if I already have a fly on, I’ll start with that 90% of the time.
Those are some lovely flies. I’m impressed you guys with ADHD can actually tie. I’m a newish Tenkara fisher (drawn in by the simplicity and fewer choices) with plans to tie, but I just haven’t made it happen.
But maybe next week. 😁😂
Having a system that makes it simple for you is what it is all about. I am happy to hear you enjoyed the article. I am with you on taking your best guess. I fish primarily sakasa keberi however I am getting more excited lately about tying up Jun kebari. I would never say anyone has to do it this way. I hope each person finds what works for them. The colors of the flies can be a helpful way of doing this. Minimalism of this kind reduces the time you need to spend thinking about which fly you are going to use. Be well Jay.