04.MAY.2013

Next morning, we picked up today's my guests near my house in Yokoahma and headed Oshino
fishery since its opening day. For far, since I have started my weblog, I fished together with
my blog readers who were all experienced keen fly fishing gentlemen. Today was a kind of
most unusual and favourable occasions, because my guests were two beautiful young ladies
who were totally beginners. They like fishing, mostly fished from boat on the ocean. Last year
I took them to fish at Ozenji fishery, but it's just a few hours fishing. So actually today was the
first opportunity for them to fish at natural river, to be honest it's too artificial to call it as
a natural river, also more than 95% of fish were farmed and newly released fish in Oshino fishery.

I believe they were pretty lucky, because a real expert fly fisher who's a FFF casting instructor
and a Oshino pro kindly guided them to fish today. Stopped fly shop "Rivers Edge" to buy our
day tickets and flies for guests. The owner selected a couple of killer flies which usually work
well at Oshino and we parked at the top section of the fishery. Equipped with killer fly and guided
by a super expert, they were not beginners any more, immediately they landed a few fish at
the top stretch of the fishery.



And tried to hook up more and more fish, great to see their beatifull smiles.



As usual, midge pupa worked well, probably they mostly eat midge as they constantly rising.
Luckily I could fool a couple of rising fish in the morning.

Backed to fly shop for lunch, as always I ordered my favorite roast beef sandwich and a cup
of coffee. It seemed like our guests were happy on a small creek in the forest. After lunch
we walked down the creek to find a spot to fish, sadly most of deep pools which were very
productive had been covered by sand because of last year's typhoon and town development.
A few good spots were already occupied so we walked up again. Evening was a bit slow, but it's
a nice sunny day fishing.



The traffic way back to Yokohama was hell, because of Golden week holiday,
we only got to home before midnight.

Ladies, wanna be my guest again? Email to me! hahaha.

Data
Oshino Fishery, Yamanashi
Day ticket: JPY 800
Weather: Sunny
Temperature: 10.7 - 15.1 - 10.7 ℃
Wind: NW 0.6 - SE 3.7 - 1.7 mps
Fishing: 09:00 - 18:30
Catch: Rainbow, Yamame, Iwana, rainbow
Fly: Hairs Ear nymph #14, Midge pupa #22, #24

03.MAY.2013

The second half of Golden Week holiday I backed to Yokohama. Emailed to friends and as
we planned we fished on river Kanogawa tributaries in Shizuoka. This trip was already my
sixth fishing trip to river Kanogawa. I should buy a year fishing permit, even I have moved
to Kansai, because it's 6,000 yen and a day permit is 1,100 yen. Anyway, it's too late now.

In early May, there's not much hatch on the main river and middle stretch of tributaries where
we usually fish early season, March and April. So we fished up a bit to mountain side where
hungry fish were awaiting. When we got to the first spot, unfortunately or as it should be because
of Golden week holiday we found two anglers cars at the parking. Fishing after someone on
these kind of small creeks doesn't make any sense, all we have and can to do is move and
find somewhere no one is fishing. After a bit discussion we decided to fish on lower stretch of
same creek hopefully no one fished this morning. Fishing on these small creeks in May, I love
it pretty much is so beautiful, fresh air, fresh green leaves, gin clear water and wild flowers.
I missed a few bites, could not land any in this creek.



Moved to another creek which was much open and we had a great day before. Mountain wind
from upstream annoyed me, I could not place dry fly where I wanted, moreover the strong wind
blew up line, leader and fly. Only once fish was up and bit my Adams parachute, again I missed
it. Probably too much fishing pressure, fish would not come out from their nest.

After lunch, we tried a dark and deep mountain creek, the first fish of the day was a small and
pretty baby bravely and hungrily bit size 16 Adams. Then I landed a bit bigger fish which was
still winter dark colour on. This made us quite happy because no farmed had been released in
this creek and they could survive from anglers who took every fish back home even if is' a tiny
fish.



The last creek was where we usually fished at evening, I set up wet fly and walked down till
where I like, soon I found a fish rise and it's on exactly where I saw the rise. A silver beauty
leaped at the end of line, I carefully tightened lines but a few seconds all of sudden later it's
off. More fish were rising, a lot of mayfly and stonefly were hatching and flying over the creek.
It seemed like fish became excited, more rise. I tied a extend body mayfly pattern, missed a
few bits. Something was wrong. Again I tied wet fly, got two more bites. I thought both were
firmly hooked however became loose before landing.



Data
The tributaries of River Kano, Shizuoka
Weather: Sunny
Day ticket ￥1100
Temperature: 16.1 - 20.3 - 18.3 ℃
Wind: ESE 2.2 - W 4.0 mps - SW 3.3 (Mishima)
Fishing: 09:00 - 18:30
Catch: Three baby Amago
Fly: Adams parashute #16

28.APR.2013

A fright from Baku to Istanbul was terrible, I was on the middle of three seats and surrounded
big Turkish guys even I requested aisles seat when I checked in, however it's a very comfortable
fright back home from Istanbul, even in economy class as four seats were available. It's a super
economy.

My new friend kindly came to pick me up and we headed again to river Sendaigawa in Tottori.
End of April and beginning of May is holiday season in Japan, we call it golden week. Earlier
than last weekend, he said four-thirty. I though it's because of traffic, but the way to the river
was very smooth. Met up familiar faces from Osaka at convenience store, chatted for a while
where to fish today. At first, we tried new spot, no fish rise and I set wet flies as usual. Even no
hatch and early morning, farmed small Yamame and Amago were aggressively biting and I landed
a couple of them.



Moved to the spot in front of park where we fished last week. When we got to the spot, a bait
guy was landing a good fish and a guy we did not know at the parking came to us then said you
were late. There's always these kind of people at famous fishing spot, big mouth, superior attitude,
etc, I really hate. I usually ignore these people which is the best way I believe. Walked down to
the river, various insects were hatching, fish probably up soon.



As I expected, soon I found three rising fish in a pool. The first target was the one rising at
pool end. Tied CDC caddis #16, yes, it's up and bit it at the first drift a typical farmed Amago,
as you could see it on its tail. Called my buddy and he soon landed a fish rising at very difficult
slack water across the rapid water. I tried the last one but missed its bite and its never up again.



Moved up and down by car, then found a beautiful pool and luckily a couple of fish were rising.
Very flat water, water runs out right and left because of weir and rocks. Missed a few nice
fish and its bites, the last one was on, a nice framed Yamame.



Tried a small tributaries which used to very productive. It's a very rocky creek covered
by trees above a dam, a lot of weir which looked mean less and waste of tax. At the beginning,
it's very slow, but above a couple of weirs Iwana started biting.



In the evening, we backed again to the park only a fly guy was at lower pool. I walked down
to the pool where I landed a good Yamame in the afternoon. Bingo, a lot of insects and actions
in water. Sneaked to the pool not to scare any fish, cast carefully and drift fly on its feeding
lane. As if I was watching a fishing video, a triangle shaped nose was up and fly was slowly
disappeared in water.



Stopped over at my favorite noodle shop and filled up our hungry stomach with very oily and
fatty noodle, steamed rice and Gyoza.



Data
Tributaries of River Sendaigawa, Tottori
Sendaigawa fishery office: http://www.hal.ne.jp/sendai-n/
Day ticket: JPY3000, Year ticket: JPY5000
Weather: Fair
Temperature: 7.4 - 19.1 - 16.6 ℃
Wind: N 0.8 - WNW 4.0 - 3.1 mps
Fishing: 08:30-18:30
Catch: Amago (2) and Yamame (5), Iwana (2)
Fly: Wet fly #10, CDC dun #14, CDC floating nymph #14, Adams Parachute #16

20.APR.2013

As it should be it's always very exciting to fish in a new river, especially with a new friend.
Before and after I have moved to Kansai, we have been chatting with him over emails. Since
then three weeks had passed and finally today we got a chance to fish together. He kindly
came and picked me up at my house early Saturday morning, then we headed to river Sendai
-gawa in Tottori prefecture. After two hours drive, when we crossed a mountain pass, the
road sign said zero degree centigrade which was pretty cold but a bit warmer than last weekend
in Yoshino, Nara.



The first spot we chose was a upper stretch of a small dam, so we up again along a tributary.
Surprise, a lot of snow still left in late April and blocked us to go further up the mountain road.
My friend said usually more snow and impossible to fish in April, he only come from mid May,
but since warm winter and less snow he thought it's probably good to try even in late April.



The river was so beautiful, gin clear crystal water, pools, rocks, trees and looked very productive,
if fish were not taken away. Water temperature was six, probably too cold to fish on dry fly.
Tiny fish were up two times but would not bite. Up and up, nothing, only a tiny Amago was landed.
water was four now, so we decided to fish lower stretch as it must be a bit warmer and fish must
be more active.



Yes, in the lower stretch fish were more active because small mayfly started hutching, however
fish were too small and quick to hook up. Missed a better one and I landed only another tiny
Amago. Started raining, a lot of bait anglers up and down the river, so we decided move a bit
to other tributary where my friend heard from local that fish used to rise.

The river was much bigger, so I set up wet flies and down the river. There's two big pools looked
very productive, yes, found a fish rise and I wondered if I should change to dry fly. Since raining,
I cast wet. After missing a few bite, finally a farm raised Yamame was on and a few more.



I found a fly guy at the lower pool who was trying to fool rising fish. At this pool a couple of fish
were rising, probably this was the pool which my friend heard. Later the guy in rising pool backed
to parking as it became so cold and raining harder. When I got to the pool only two fish were
rising but not frequently as it was before. Fish were much clever than me, too smart to fool. A
few times fish up and looked like bite my fly however they probably found something wrong and
stopped to bite right before the bite. Cold and wet, no more rising fish, yes, it's time to go home.



Data
Tributaries of River Sendaigawa, Tottori
Sendaigawa fishery office: http://www.hal.ne.jp/sendai-n/
Day ticket: JPY3000, Year ticket: JPY5000
Weather: Cloudy / Rain
Temperature: 5.7 - 10.0 - 5.3 ℃
Wind: NNE 0.8 - NNW 3.2 - WNW 1.6 mps
Fishing: 09:30-18:00
Catch: Amago (2) and Yamame (5)
Fly: Adams Parachute #16, Wet fly #10

13.APR.2013

Trout fishing on fly in Kansai is actually very poor, there's a couple of famous creeks within
3-4 hours drive however fish are rather small and mostly farm raised fish have been released
before and during the season. Moreover a day ticket costs 3000 JPY which is very expensive
in Japan. Since I have moved in Kansai, I only have a small scooter to fish around and nearly
give up to fish in mountain rivers and creeks for trout. Luckily my fly fishing connection worked
well, on Saturday morning I met guys in Osaka and we headed to Yoshino, Nara where they
fish almost every weekend.



After a few hours chat and drive, we stopped at the fishery office to buy a day ticket which
was actually still closed and I had to buy it at small tofu shop in a town. The load sign said
caution at frozen load and it's temperature as minus 2℃ centigrade. It's a beautiful rocky creek
with gin clear water, deep pools were like emerald green or cobalt blue. Water temperature
was six much warmer than air temperature but it's still very much doubt if fish up and take
dry fly. Anyway I tied my favorite Adams parachute size #16 and started hitting water. A kind
of surprise, fish were active and I missed three bites. At the forth bite from slow flowing shallow
pool, a small beauty was on.



Some part were very productive, probably fish were not taken out, but some were not. We
tried up and down, it's not easy to find make enough distance to fish as it seemed like this
creek was very popular on weekend. Same as other trout rivers and creeks, bait, lure and
fly anglers fish all together.



Around 11 am, as it should be small mayflies, caddis and crane flies started hatching, fish
became aggressive and biting. Even someone fished already, babies were up and rising.



I missed a bite of a good Amago, but enjoyed pretty much my first trip. Thanks guys hope
we can fish together again soon.



Data
Tributaries of River Tenkawa, Yoshino, Nara
Tenkawa fishery office: http://www5.kcn.ne.jp/~gyokyou/
Day ticket: JPY3000
Weather: Fair
Temperature: -2 - 16 ℃
Fishing: 08:00-13:00
Catch: Amago (5) and Iwana (2)
Fly: Adams Parachute #16, CDC caddis #16

30.MAR.2013

After taking hot bath with fishing tackle and breakfast, not sleeping over 24 hours, I was in
a car on the way to probably my last trip to river Kano in this year. Said my friends I would
sleep on the way to the river, however go fishing and chat with friends excited me and I did
not sleep all the way to the river. The skies were cloudy, it's a miserably cold day. I should
check weather forecast and should bring some warm clothes. Cherry blossoms were still
blooming on along the river bank, where we usually start to fish. As usual, I set up wet fly
and walked up where I usually start. A fly fisher was there, I said hello and pardoned him to
fish lower section. Nothing all the way down to the bridge and found a fly guy was up the river
so we gave up this spot. It's pretty busy day all the way up the river we saw cars where could
access to the river.



Finally, we found a free spot, I headed to the small pool where I lost a big fish a few weeks
ago. Got first bite of the day, it's a newly released silver beauty. At below this pool, very slow
flowing flat poll, I found two fish rise. They were nervously biting, caddis and grey wing olive
mayfly were flying over and drifting on the water. Fished fish bit grey CDC caddis, second fish
bit brown CDC caddis, third fish bit grey olive cdc mayfly, forth fish bite light brown parachute,
however I missed all bits. Fish were still rising but they would down into deep water when I
move closer and cast fly. It's time to have lunch and after lunch upper section was very slow
only a bite on light brown parachute and lost it after a few seconds.

Evening was also very slow, I fished exactly same section I did last week, Five bits, hooked
three but missed all of them. When it got just before the darkens, big caddis started hatching
and fish started rising, found three rises, hooked all, landed only one.



Well, tomorrow I move to Kansai. Good bye guys in Kanto for a while, I try to back home once
in a month hope that we can fish again soon.

Data
River Omi, the tributaries of River Kano, Shizuoka
Weather: Cloudy
Day ticket ￥1100
Temperature: 12.1 - 13.5 - 10.6 ℃
Wind: E 4.7 - ESE 4.1 mps - ENE 3.2 (Mishima)
Fishing: 09:00 - 18:30
Catch: Two Amago
Fly: Red tail Silver March Brown #12, Caddis Pupa #6

28.MAR.2013-2

At the evening, on the way back home I tried river Katsura as I heard good reports from experts
who fished and landed nice Yamame in last few days. Emailed to one of the expert said that the
famous bridge and dam spots were pretty good in the afternoon, when insects were hatching.
I knew the famous bridge but never fished before as there's always a lot of anglers. Even on weekday
evening, there's a couple of angler's cars at the parking and all nice spots were already occupied.
So I walked a bit up along the river up to next bridge, found a nice pool and decided to start from
this pool. Huge amount of caddis were flying over the river. The river katsura, food rich river is
very famous for big Rainbows and Yamame, all anglers fish here are dreaming to land their trophy
fish. The pool looked quite nice, shortly after I started to fish a fish rise at the end of the pool.
Yes, fish on! It's a small fatty rainbow.



No more bite from this pool so I tried a couple of other pools down the bridge but could not get any
bite. It's getting dark, big caddis started hatching and I tied a most reliable big caddis pupa. A big
sound and water splash where rapid water was running in to the pool. Fish was rising a few times,
it must be biting big caddis. After a few cast at the dusk, I felt a slight touch then set hook. It's on.
Strong and typical pull in fast flowing water reminded me the lost fish a few weeks ago. Luckily fish
was in my net after a few minutes, the moment dream came true. That's a real trophy 35cm + fish,
the biggest Yamame I ever landed.



Data
River Katsura, Yamanashi
Day ticket: JPY1100
Weather: Partially sunny
Wind: WSW 1.8 - SW 1.0 mps
Temperature: 21.1 - 19.0 ℃
Fishing: 16:30-18:30
Catch: Rainbow and Yamame
Fly: Caddis pupa #6

23.MAR.2013

No time to fish on weekdays in this week because of heavy seas, wind and a lot to do which
was very unusual to me. Only on Saturday, I could manage to find time and a victim who
liked to fish with me and today was already my fourth visit to river Kano in Izu, Shizuoka.
A reason why I fish on this river every weekend is of course pretty simple, as I have lost a
good fish but the other reason you will know on my blog later.



When we got to the river at my favorite spot, we found no one. The spot is very popular especially
fly fisher but probably this season the rumour, no rising fish, has already been spread out. My
buddy chose up the weir so I started below the weir. Crane flies, Caddis were hatching and
flying over the water on sunny Saturday morning but no rising fish. Only a light take to the bridge
and found a bait guy under the bridge so I had to move up again. Up on the weir soon a small
beauty was on but that was all at this spot.



We moved up to check, all popular spots was occupied already as they might heard recent news.
Found a short section and tried dry fly, I followed my buddy, got a bite and missed it. Moved
again to a small tributary and landed a tiny Amago. Today was very slow, probably because
of fishing pressure fish stayed in deep and would not easily bite.



After 3 pm, we again moved to below the power plant where I tried on my first visit and got
no bite in this season. It seemed like fish became aggressive or no one fished here today or
hatching insects, soon I got a hard take and landed it. Till the dusk my favorite wet flies worked
pretty well, I got ten takes and landed six fish.



Data
River Omi, the tributaries of River Kano, Shizuoka
Weather: Mostly sunny
Day ticket ￥1100
Temperature: 16.8 - 18.4 - 15.0 ℃
Wind: SE 1.6 - ESE 4.9 mps - ESE 1.9 (Mishima)
Fishing: 09:00 - 18:30
Catch: Eight Amago
Fly: Black peacock #16, Red tail Silver March Brown #12, Green body soft hackle #14

17.MAR.2013

Both March and April are busiest month of the year for me, trout, char, seabass, rockfish
and others are waiting for me. These days I have not much time to sleep well, fish around
day and night. No hard exercise but too much fishing and short sleep result my body fat
content drops by less than 20%. Do not ask me how much am I usually. Healthy? hahaha.



You know, getting out of concrete jungle and walking along the rural mountain creek on
a sunny Spring day is fabulous, green O2, minus ion, fresh air, a total refreshment. After
less than two hours drive we were on river bank, at our favorite bridge spot of river Omi
again on this weekend. Insects were hatching and I set up wet flies as usual, then started
to fish from the end of upper pool as usual. Nothing on the first round, oddly nothing on
the second round, so we decided to move up where was good on last weekend.



Open wing CDC caddis which was the imitation of DD on 7.6ft, #3, luckily at the first pool
I found a small Amago was rising right middle of a small pool. Windy, difficult to place fly
on right position where fish might take. After nearly thirty attempt, finally fish took my fly
on water but just a few second later line was loosen. Fish were taking even I did not see
any rise. Missed two takes, three hook offs and landed one.



Coffee break, nice to chat for a while. I fish again on same stretch but at evening I fished
down along the river on wet flies. Yes, as I imagined and expected, wets worked pretty
good. Got seven takes missed two of them. One the way back we had dinner with guys from
Nagoya and it was great to chat with them. We laughed very much as a guy was so funny,
no doubt, he was much better than any comedian on TV show.



Data
River Omi, the tributaries of River Kano, Shizuoka
Weather: Mostly sunny
Day ticket ￥1100
Temperature: 12.2 - 17.8 - 14.5 ℃
Wind: SSE 1.3 - SE 3.4 mps - NW 2.5 (Mishima)
Fishing: 09:00 - 18:30
Catch: Six Amago
Fly: CDC Caddis #16, Red tail Silver March Brown #14, Green body soft hackle #14

15.MAR.2013

March 15 is the opening day of upper stretch of River Katsura, including our famous spring
creek Oshino fishery. The day of all Katsura trout freaks have waited since end of October,
same as most of them I also took a day off on Friday and was on the river bank of Oshino fishery
in early cold morning. The thing what all fishers were expecting was easy fishing as fish have
not seen any artificial object to fool and hook them up during winter, five full month. Once the
river opens, every day hundreds of anglers throw various lures and flies, soon fish have become
educated.



A few spots were looked completely different since my last visit, unfortunately one of my favorite
spot became very shallow because of sand which was probably from river constructions. I found
a space for me and hooked a couple of fish. Even if it's stocked fish, feeling of 5 or 6x tippet
to fight with 40cm+, 50cm+ rainbow did not back to me soon and it took sometime to back the
feeling, as I usually fish for sea fish at night during winter which are not tippet shy. Early morning,
as usual fish were taking something in water, did not pay any attention on water surface. Light
colour nymph worked very well on dark colour river bed as I could see fish take it in gin clear
water. Fished for about an hour and half at Oshino then we headed to our favorite spot which
is upper stretch of a small dam of river Katsura where 30cm+ Yamame and Amago were rising
in Spring.



Luckily our favorite spot was free, but water flow was very slow later we heard the construction
badly changed it. A lot of hatch of incests, small mayfly, clane fly, caddis same as river Kano,
over an hour we were waiting for fish rise, then we found a few fish rise 100 meter up the
river. Fish were swiming around huge area of slow moving water and it's simply impossible to
hit the rise.



Backed to Oshino again, landed a couple of rising rainbow with midge flies. I went up to find
rising Yamame. Yes, a farmed and newly released Yamame was nervously taking something
small on water in slow flow. It showed interest but did not take any of my dry flies, only it
took nymph. Evening was great and very exciting as it should be, even small fish.



Data
Oshino Fishery, Yamanashi
Day ticket: JPY 800
Weather: Mostly sunny
Temperature: -0.5 - 1.6 ℃, 7.2 - 4.2 ℃
Wind: 0.0 - SW 0.4 mps, SE 2.0 - S 0.4 mps
Fishing: 08:00 - 08:30, 15:30 - 18:30
Catch: Rainbow, Yamame
Fly: Hairs Ear, Midge pupa, Big Caddis pupa, etc

Data
The river Katsura, Yamanashi
Weather: Mostly
Day ticket ￥1200
Temperature: 8.3 - 11.2 ℃
Wind: NNE 1.2 - WNW 3.4 mps
Fishing: 11:00 - 14:00
Catch: None
Fly: Various

09.MAR.2013

Spring has come and cherry blossoms have started blooming. On Saturday, we again
visited to River Kano on Izu peninsula, Shizuoka. These days were quite warm and we
expected it must cause insect hatching and fish rise. People said this winter was very cold,
so fish were still in deep water and not active yet. When we got to the our favorite spot,
just like last weekend, luckily no one there. Usually there's a few cars at parking already
but I guess most anglers have heard recent reports which were mostly very negative and
they also were waiting for fish start to rise. Like last weekend, we saw crane fly, small
mayfly and even caddis on today.



Not waiting for fish rise, I immediately started from exactly same spot and at the second pool
I saw something. like fish rise? Carefully and quietly I was wading in water, and waiting to
make sure it's a fish rise. Yes, it was a fish quickly up and bit something on water. I tied CDC
caddis and drifted on where fish was, but the water flow was so complicated. Fly was on
water only a second then dragged down unnaturally. I simply gave up dry fly, then tied wet
flies again. After a few attempt, I got a take which was very light touch and no chance to
hook it up. Another take, it was a hard take from the next pool where I landed last weekend,
but missed again. The fist round, no fish but two takes were positive sign.

The second round, it seemed like fish became more active. I got two takes from two pools
where I missed at the first round. Damn it, missed both again. Nothing for a while then the
fifth take, finally a small beauty was firmly on peacock brown fly. The sixth take was the flies
were crossing in right middle of rapid water. It was off when I was going to put it in net.



About one hour we tried lower stretch where used to be very productive, but the water was
quiet as if there's no any fish. We wondered where to fish for a while and decided to move
up to upper tributary where was also our favorite stretch. My buddy chose up and I chose
down from parking. A couple of meters below the small weir, there's small pools where rocks
made water narrow and water flow was very fast. It's a kind of small but clear take from right
middle gin clear deep blue water. At first it did not move, oddly I was starting to think I hooked
up rocks or branches in water, but all of sudden it started moving. For instance I understood
it's a trophy cause fish was heavy and I had to use reel to fight with which was very unusual
in small mountain creek.

When fish was up to show its beautiful blue back and wide bight silver body, I could not stop
my hands and legs start shacking. The fish was really huge, awesome 40cm+ Amago which
I had never seen before. Up and down 50 meters with fish not to beak 5X tippet. The movement
of the fish was very quick and sharp which was typical but incredibly strong. Finally I could take
it to lower slow pool and tired to put it in net for a few times. However fish never gave up and
was resisting using big muscled body and sharp fins. Probably on forth attempt, fish was about
a meter away from my net, it did not move as if glued into water, suddenly and sadly the peacock
back fly came off. I could not move and was still shaking for a while.



Later I fished up on dry. One bite, missed it. At the evening we fished main Kano river till at
the usk, no luck.

For sure, I was not daydreaming and it's not a carp, not a barbel and not a dace. Now I think
the fish I have hooked is a kind of fish should not land.

Kinglgke

Data
River Omi, the tributaries of River Kano, Shizuoka
Weather: Mostly sunny
Day ticket ￥1100
Temperature: 17.4 - 22.2 - 20.2 ℃
Wind: NNE 1.5 - WSW 4.1 mps - W 2.8 (Mishima)
Fishing: 09:30 - 18:30
Catch: One Amago
Fly: Peacock body black and brown #16

02.MAR.2013-1

The day which we have been long waiting for the river trout season since end of September
has come. Five cold months have passed. As usual, early morning on the first weekend of
March we headed to Izu, Shizuoka prefecture to celebrate trout river opening. We know early
March is usually not productive hard to fish as fish are not aggressive and it's still cold for insect
to hatch, however the day is like a kind of gatherings that trout guys meet each other since
end of the season. It's always nice to be on river bank talking with friends and waiting for
fish rise.

Before got to the river, we stopped at a convenience store, grabbed a day ticket then ready
to fish at the parking right next to the river where we like pretty much in early season. A 3
to 4 weight, 8 - 8.6 rod is the best choice on the middle stretch of river Omi which is one of
the biggest tributary of river Kano I think. I rigged up wet flies on my favorite Orvis frequent
flyer #4, 8.6ft with a cheap diecast aluminium Daiwa lochmor reel which is also my favorite
and I like this cheap and noisy click pretty much. Certain amount of crane fly which was very
important fish diet in early season and some small mayfly were flying over the river. It's a
positive sign and I started to fish from my favorite spot instead of awaiting for fish rise.



It's a kind of big surprise as I got a first take just about within five minutes when flies were
crossing in fast running water in middle of a small pool. I carefully hooked it up, then a small
beauty and the first fish of the season was in my net in a second. What a lucky day!!



Sun was up and temperature was picking up. More crane fly, more small mayfly were hatching
and its dun and drowned dun were drifting on water which should be enough quantity to made
fish rise. I was drifting down flies expecting take and fish rise at any time, despite this much
insects it's very slow. Before the noon, finally at the end of the pool just above the weir I got
a second take. A little smaller than the first fish, another beauty was in my hands.

Occasionally, fishers came to have a look and went away when they found us not to disturb.
We fished there at upper pools from the bridge until half an hour after the noon, then moved
up to have a look at another our favorite spot. Tried there about an hour but we could not see
any fish. No more hatch, it's time to go.



Well, the season has just begun and we can enjoy river trout fishing till end of September.

Data
River Omi, the tributaries of river Kano, Shizuoka
Weather: Mostly sunny
Day ticket ￥1100
Temperature: 11.3 - 13.9 - 12.2 ℃
Wind: SSE 1.9 - ESE 2.6 mps - E 4.7 (Mishima)
Fishing: 09:15 - 14:15
Catch: Two Amago (09:20, 11:45)
Fly: Peacock body black #16

18.NOV.2012

Lake Ashinoko on Sunday, nearly ten fly fishers all together and it's like a kind of gatherings
of customers of a fly shop in Yokohama. We left his shop at four in the morning and got to
the lake before five thirty. Late Autumn on high mountain the road side sign said it's only
five degrees centigrade and certainly beginning of winter. Probably must be freezing cold
once we waded in the lake water in this morning. As first we stopped at convenience store
to grab our day fishing ticket and some food, then headed to the spot on south west of the
lake. A bit surprise for me we found cars at almost every corner where were possible to
park in the darkness and it seemed like they were already waded in the lake.

Unfortunately we were a few weeks later for the great Autumn view as a lot of leaves already
had been fallen on the ground but still some trees were really beautifully dressed with deep
red and yellow leaves. For people live in Kanto area hakone and Ashinoko are very popular
for a day or two days trip, countless hotsprings, beautiful scenery and a lot of tourist attractions.



It's still dark when we started to set up, soon we could see without flash light, the dawn had
come, we walked down to the lake. I finally bought a new neoprene boots spiked felt sole
chest high waders for winter fishing which was only 9990 JPY of course made in China, but
value isn't it? I have a very old nearly 20 years old I guess Cabela's stocking food but long
wanted to buy a new boots foot and I eventually found it when I was surfing on the internet
just a few days ago and could not stop thinking to buy it.


The new waders was a great and reasonable product, a lot of internet comments about this
products, and It made me to buy a bigger size and it's comfortable for me. More than ten years
ago I fished here on lake Ashinoko frequently from shore and boat, but had merely fished in the
Autumn. Guys set indicator and scuds with long 20ft tippet, but my set up was intermediate line
with streamers which worked well in Spring, anyway this was all I could do for today, as I had
not bring my nymph box.

The lake water was chilly cold as I imagined but I was well prepared and calm like a huge mirror.
Time to time we saw a bunch of Wakasagi was passing by and we wondered if trout were following
or not. The shop owner was away to look after the other group backed to our group and started
to fish at the other side of this small and rocky inlet. Even five minutes had not passed yet, he
shouted as he got a bite and landed a nice rainbow. He let us see his great performance, potential
and technique how to flyfish and catch a rainbow in difficult condition which was really important
for his business.



I found a enormous carp on the lake bed which was cruising and constantly feeding some thing
from rock and weeds. After a few attempt, my fly was slowly sinking a couple of inches ahead
of the carp and it realized my fly, the breath taking moment, it was about to take it. For me it took
it and I pull my rod and line but felt nothing, as probably it stopped to take just a inch to fly. Got
a second chance and this time it's more clear, certainly the carp knew it's not for him. We fished
before the noon, no one got any bite but it's a wonderful Sunday fishing in great scenery.



Data
Ashinoko: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Ashi
Ashinoko Authority: http://www.ashinoko.or.jp/
Day ticket: 1300 JPY
Weather: Fair / Passing cloud
Temperature: 4 - 11 ℃
Wind: NW 2 mps
Fishing: 06:00 - 11:30
Catch: None
Fly: Various
Want to know more? Email to me

22.SEP.2012

The long long firght way back my home, I realized my right foot were getting bigger and nearly
a double when I got to Narita. At the hospital, doc said it's a infectious disease and I had to
be hospitalized. As you know I am not a hard worker at all but got something to do after a week
holiday without PC and also I have to earn to fish and feed my wife and kids. So hospitalize was
no choice, after a brief negotiation I successfully got some pills and a tube cream. No beers
for about a week and I slept as much as possible. Foot colour and size was nearly nomal buy
still it's painful but was getting better. No wet wading, no long walk, no waders on so I decided
to fish at Oshino fishery today.



Protecting the wounds, I tightly bandaged and wore wool socks and rubber boots. It's still painful
to walk, especially up and down as the wounds were touching to boots. As first I tried just under
the bridge, fish were staying and occasionally feeding something in bottom lane but not paying
any attention on surface and not interest in my flies. Walked a bit down the creek, some fish
were already coloured and busy to got married.



Found a rising baby Yamame and I was trying to fool it over an hour, but no success. I changed
my mind easy way to catch and landed a couple of brook and rainbows on nymph. This season
we see more brook than previous years, maybe big sales from farm.

Landed a few fish on black form beetle, but strangely ant did not work well. Around ten-thirty
fish became aggressive and started feeding on surface. Landed some more fish on red body
baetis. I rocked on a rising brownie, it came up to see my flies but would not take it. Finally
it took floating nymph, a small but beautiful fish.



Most trout and char rivers including this creek close at end September, so only a week to go
for river trout anglers.

Data
Oshino Fishery, Yamanashi
Day ticket: JPY 800
Weather: Parcaly sunny
Temperature: 17.0 - 19.5 ℃
Wind: NW 0.6 - SE 3.0 mps
Fishing: 08:30 - 13:30
Catch: Brook, Rainbow, Brown
Fly: Gold Bead Czech nymph, Foam beetle, Red baetis, etc
Want to know more? Email to me

11.AUG.2012

This weekend very unusually I originally had not planned anything, as my wife said to me she
was going to use our car for a couple of days. All of sudden, the luck an invitation came and
on Friday night I was sitting on the passenger sheet of German speedster, Porsche on my
way to a gorgeous country villa in Lake Yamanaka forest. Traffic was really bad as Obon holiday
had just started, everyone was on their way to their parests' home or just family travel. A
few hours later than we originaly schedluled, we got to the villa, and grabbed a glass full fine
Scotch wiskey.



Since we were up very late with Scotch wiskey and Olympic game, we only were able to start
to fish after lunch. At upper stretch parking, we saw a bunch of lure guys. I thought it's going
to be a very busy day as usual, however when we parked right middle of the fishery and walked
to the creek we found less anglers. almost empty. Probably some sort of lure fishing school
was held at upper stretch. Anyway, I had never fished like this empty fishery before.



Later I landed a really good and beautiful brownie, 40cm+. It got muddy when I was going to
take photos. So I waded in water and was washing it, then it had slipped from my hands before
taking photos, haha.



At the dusk, it's a kind of big surprise as I saw a few of big caddis hatching in middle of August,
and fish was aggressively bit flies.



After fishing, it's another happy time, nice food and beers with friends.



Data
Oshino Fishery, Yamanashi
Weather: Passing cloud, light rain
Temperature: 25.0 - 21.0 ℃
Wind: SE 2.6 - 0.1 mps
Fishing: 13:30 - 19:00
Catch: Brook, Rainbow, Brown
Fly: Gold Bead Czech nymph, Foam beetle, etc.
Want to know more? Email to me