31.MAR.2012

It was a very windy day, nearly 10mps. I tried Maruta again on early Saturday morning. The river
was not so busy when I got there but more and more people came even if weather forecast
said it would be stormy weather in the afternoon. Soon I found a bunch of Maruta in the shallow
and it seemed very easy. No idea why, I tied a lot however all foul hooked... Something wrong!!



Data
River Tamagawa
Weather: Passing cloud.
Temperature: 16.9 - 18.1 ℃
Wind: SSW 6.9 - S 9.1 mps
Fishing: 07:00 - 08:30
Catch: None
Fly: Scud fly #10, etc
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25.MAR.2012

Spring has come. When the cherry blossom starts to broom, here they come, Maruta, sea
run Ugui which is very close family of Dace. They back to their mother river Tamagawa in
Spring which runs through capital city Tokyo where 12 million people live to spawn. Beginning
of the season is early March and ends sometime in May, best season is April just like cherry
blossom. Along the river people enjoy beautiful cherry blossom whole having lunch, BBQ and
maybe some sake. There's also many play ground for baseball and football on river bank. Local
anglers are long awaiting for this season for Maruta as it's only available for a few month in
the year.



I wanted to fish early in the morning as it's always very busy on Sunday, but got something
to do in the morning and only managed to fish in the afternoon. All good spots where I saw
fish in shallow water were already occupied, so I walked around and tried a couple of different
spots but no luck. Wondered to back home or see other spot. It's the first day of the season,
I wanted to see other spot. As I imagined that the other spot was also very busy but luckily
I found a bunch of fish in shallow water. After foul hooked a few fish, finally I could land the
first fish of the season. Anyway Spring and Maruta have come.



Information
Maruta: Pacific Redfins: Tribolodon brandti
http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/speciesSummary.php?ID=47843&genusname=Tribolodon&speciesname=brandtii&lang=English
http://ir.library.tohoku.ac.jp/re/bitstream/10097/29964/1/KJ00000715077.pdf

Data
River Tamagawa
Weather: Fair
Temperature: 12.1 - 12.8 ℃
Wind: N 2.6 - S 3.5 mps
Fishing: 13:00 - 15:30
Catch: Maruta
Fly: Fluorescent green sticklebacks fly #10
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24.MAR.2012

Been quite busy travelling and fishing up and down over two weeks, I am back home now. Since
1st and 15th of March most trout rivers in Japan have opened and spring has come. During
this winter we really had very cold winter, even people say global warming and it seemed like
the nature world is a few weeks behind. On my way back home I was wondering where to fish,
email to my friend and we decided to fish in Oshino fishery, already the second time for me.



Last week there's a lot of snow left in the forest, but not much left now. Yesterday's rain
and the run off made the water a little bit high and muddy. As Oshino is a kind of spring creek
usually stay or become clear soon, after rain even if other rivers are impossible to fish. I found
a couple of fish rise in the big pool below the bridge and luckily could fool one of them. It was
a small rainbow. Then I headed to upstream to have a look. As usual, some pool there's a few
rising Yamame in gin clear water, small fish but very difficult to fool. it took me more than 30
minutes and had to change 5-10 flies to match their favourites.



Then small baetis started hatching and we enjoyed it for a while with small rainbows.



Lunch at River's Edge fly shop and restaurant, I needed energy to fish till the dusk filled up
my stomach with my favourite roast beef sandwich.



Afternoon was very slow. Fortunately I found a solo space in nice pool for evening rise but
I had to wait for a while, till the dusk, evening hatch of caddisfly. Usually pupa type fly works
well before the dusk, however no bite at al today. It's getting dark and cold, just after 18:15,
the first rise and soon I got a first fish. Not much fish rise, as it seemed not much caddisfly
hatching. The happy hour was only 20 minutes or less and it was skating adult today. No bad,
five fish in such a short time.

Data
Oshino fishery, Yamanashi
Fishing permit: Day: JPY800, Season: JPY4000
Weather: Passing cloud
Temperature: 9.5 - 13.8 - 1.1 ℃
Wind: SE 1.8 - NW 6.2 - NW 0.4 mps
Fishing: 09:00 - 18:30
Catch: Yamame, Rainbow
Fly: Midge pupa #22, CDC dun #20, Caddis pupa and adult #8
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22.MAR.2012

Low 26℃and High 36℃, March, it is just the beginning of Summer in Thailand. People say in
Thailand we have only two seasons, Summer and Hot Summer, that's all. I chatted over with
my local friend and he was so kind to fish together with me at Pilot 111, the most famous
Barramundi and Giant Snakehead spots fishing park in the South East Asia. The fishing park
is pay pond with beautiful local restaurant, you can ask to cook your fish if you like. All meals
and a day fishing are very competitive rate. Fish are very good conditions and difficult to fool
without dead or live bait chumming.



We left Bangkok quite early, out town at the pond it's very nice cool and fresh, as you know
downtown in Bangkok, the air is dead, because of countless and various vehicles, air conditions,
road and building constructions, etc. Anyway we tried Giant Snakehead pond as first. It looks
like fish are very active in the morning as I could see a lot of actions on the surface. For sure
it's not easy as it looked like, I set floating line tried poppers and floating minnows, no bite.
Changed to sinking line with trout gum fly, within a few cast, got a big strike and was a nice
Giant Snakehead.



Watch out for razor sharp fangs!!



Moved to Barramundi pond, soon I got a firm bite and it was a beautiful Spotted Knifefish,
a kind of ancient type fish, for the first fish ever in my life. Sinking line and slow strip as
if we fish for trout and rockfish worked well and Barramundi liked it. Especially fluorescent
green sticklebacks fly which I use for Japanese Huchen in Hokkaido worked well.



Getting really hot in midday, need a long lunch break, local spicy Thai food and a lot of cold
drink and talk and talk. After the break some more fishing and luckily I could land a couple of
more Barramundi.



Anyway, it's a fine day off in Thailand with friend. Thanks Oz!!



Data
Pilot 111 Fishing Pool
http://bangkokhooker.wordpress.com/fishing-ponds/pilot-111-barramundi-galore/
http://www.john-tom.com/FishingInThailand/FishingInThailand.html#Pilot
Day ticket: 500THB
Weather: Fair/Hot
Temperature: 25 - 36℃
Fishing: 09:00 - 17:00
Fly: Trout Gum fly and Sticklebacks fly Flouresendt Green, Yellow, #8, 10
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18.MAR.2012

After nearly 14 hours long fright from New York on my way to Thailand I stopped over my
home less than 24 hours. My wife was so kind or just is disgusted with me, let me have
time to fish in the morning, of course I had to promise her to have dinner and shopping.
I waked up early in the morning still having some jet rug, headed to Oshino fishery since
last summer. Bought a year permit at fly shop near the river and got updated information.
Acceding to the owner of the shop, yesterday was pretty good and less people because of
bad weather forecast and hatching of beatis.



There's many snow left in the forest by the river. The river was already quite busy on Sunday
morning but I could find a good space to fish. Last year Oshino was hit by huge typhoon and
seriously damaged, high coloured water from land slide and underground spring water for a couple
of month. There's no chance to fish. Fortunately the water has already became gin clear as
it was and should be. I tried nymph as first then dry fly. Luckily I could land a couple of fish.



Then I headed to river Katsura where was pretty good last season. As I heard the main water
current was totally changed and only I could find a couple of fish rise on the other side of
the river, where is 60-70 meters away. Unfortunately I had no time and idea the access to
the other side, so I simply gave up today's fishing.

Data
Oshino fishery, Yamanashi
Fishing permit: Day: JPY800, Year: JPY4000
Weather: Cloudy
Temperature: 8 - 11 ℃
Wind: SE 1 - 2 mps
Fishing: 08:00 - 10:30
Catch: Brown, Rainbow
Fly: Brass head nymph #14, 16, CDC dun #18, 20
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15.MAR.2012

The first time, I was here in Manhattan, New York was 1984 and ived six months, then again in
1988, another a couple of month. A country teenage boy from Japan in Manhattan, everything
was looked new and every moment was so excited, Jazz, Disco, Bar, whatever, no time to sleep.
Now I got old and travel a lot, but still Manhattan is something special for me.



Last time I tried striper from boat and was good, but it seemed like March was not right time
even if from boat. Same as Boston, I did some research and got many advice. Flyfishing in the
world famous Catskill rivers sounded great to me, where American flyfishing history has begun
and special regulation areas open all year, fly only.



Left Manhattan early in the morning, with in a few hours drive, I got there to the small town,
Roscoe, voted " Ultimate Fishing Town, USA". Stopped over at fly shop, the Beaverkill Angler,
bought a few things and got right information where and how to fish, what fly and hatch etc.
Also I needed a New York state license to fish, bought a day license at another tackle shop
on the other side of the road, now ready to fish.



The river is a kind of typical free stone river, wide and straight, no fish around and looked
like not easy to catch. Water looked high and a bit coloured because of high temp in these two
days, 70 and 80F, melted snow and ice in mountain. No rise, I tied beads head nymphs and down
the river. There's a few deep pools and good looking spots but no bite, have not seen any fish
at all, the long way to the famous Catskill and a skunk day?, it's just impossile and very much
afraid about what my friends gonna say to me.



In the afternoon, around one o'clock I found a nice pool and black stone fly started hatching,
but none was eaten. I wondered what to do, then decided stay here for a while because I was
sure fish must be in this pool. Nearly two o'clock I saw the first fish rise, then an another fish
rise, nice brownies. Tried to fool them on dry fly, but they were clever enough not to take any
of my files. Tried nymphs again, no success. Tied wet fly and drifted it where fish was, then I
got a first strike. It was a beautiful and strong brownie. I knew there's another fish, yes, I got
another bite. It was a beautiful and strong golden brownie but loosen in a second.



I moved to upstream, the big and flat pool in front of car parking. Still black stone flies were
hatching and skating on the river. Before the hatch it looked like lifeless but certainly there's
fish and wet flies worked really well in this pool as well. I was very lucky as I could fish in the
American historical river in fine March day.



Anyway I was in New York state of my mind!




Data
The Willowemoc Creek, MY, USA: http://www.flyfishingconnection.com/willowemoc.html
New York State fishing license: http://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/6091.html
Beaverkill Angler: http://beaverkillangler.com/
The Catskill Fly Fishing Centre : http://www.cffcm.net/
Weather: Fair/Passing cloud. cool
Temperature: 35 - 65F
Fishing: 10:00 - 17:00
Catch: Brownie
Fly: Black, silver body orange and red tail wet #12
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11.MAR.2012

The long way to the Far East, it was more than 24 hours travel from my home to Boston, MA.
People say Japan is the Far East from Europe, but for me USA is located in far east end of the
world. I have not been here really long time, the last visit was maybe ten yeas ago or a little bit
more without fishing gear at that time. When I decided to go to Boston, I was thinking about to
fish from beach somewhere near the Cape Cod as you know it's the world famous destination
for saltwater angler, Striper and Bluefish, but unfortunately March is not right time to fish. So
I have done a bit research, where and what to do by internet and also got many advice from
friends, thanks guys.



It seemed like the Swift river was the right place to fish as it's only two hours drive from Boston,
and the catch and release are is open year around. The gin clear cold water from the Quabbin
Reservoir runs through pine forest and it provides good shade. The forest river reminded me
Swedish rivers, like Morrum which is my favourite, but water colour is completely different. The
entrance gate and parking to the river was quite easy to find, there's already a couple of cars has
been parked. Walked through the beautiful forest, I found a couple of nice rainbows along the river
and in about ten minutes got to the famous Y pool. There's many huge rainbows and a few Atlantic
salmons. For a while I watched around, everybody used heavy nymph, some with indicator, some
not. It's clear mostly fish stayed in deep, I chased some fish in shallow water with dry fly but as
soon as I waded in the river fish swam away. They must be so educated as this area opens through
the year.



Well, I changed my mind and walked down in the river with heavy nymph like local guys, soon
I got the first contact, my net was too small and it was difficult to land in strong current,
a nice red striped rainbow.



There's still some snow left and water was really cold for me. Heavy nymph worked very well
in cold water. Sometime after one thirty, I occasionally found a fish rise. Hatch? Midges? More
and more fish rise. I had tried whatever I could over one hour but could get any bite. I heard
some said black midge and I tried it, no bite. Later on no more fish rise, enough, it's time to go.



Data
The Swift River, Belchertown, MA, USA: www.flyfishingconnection.com.swift.html
Massachusetts fishing license: http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/licensing/index.htm
Weather: Fair/Passing cloud. cool
Temperature: 35 - 60F
Fishing: 11:00 - 15:30
Catch: Rainbow
Fly: Gold bead head olive nymph
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08.MAR.2012

Canal patrol as usual, nothing, no seaworm, no fish... This weekend will be good, unfortunately
I will be away for a while.

Data
Tokyo bay canals
The 2st day of Spring tide
Moon age: 15.1
high tide: 17:07 174cm, Low tide: 23:27, 4cm
Sunrise: 06:01, Sunset: 17:43
Moonrise: 17:42, Moonset: 05:25
Weather: Cloudy, Cold
Wind: NNE 3.0 - NE 2.3 mps
Temperature: 9.4 ℃
Fishing: 18:00 - 20:00
Catch: None
Fly: Seaworm fly
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07.MAR.2012

Saw two fish rise, no seaworm at all. I tried new fly, got three bites and missed all...

Data
Tokyo bay canals
The 1st day of Spring tide
Moon age: 13.1
high tide: 15:41, 174cm, Low tide: 22:13, 6cm
Sunrise: 06:04, Sunset: 17:41
Moonrise: 15:26, Moonset: 04:13
Weather: Cloudy, Cold
Wind: E 5.0 - NEN 3.8 mps
Temperature: 11.9 - 11.5 ℃
Fishing: 18:00 - 20:00
Catch: None
Fly: Seaworm fly, white
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03.MAR.2012

Third of March is the Girl's day, Hinamatsuri in Japanese, the biggest event of the year for
small girls, also called Dolls Festival because traditionally, the family has small girl display their
traditional Japanese dolls which are presented by relations, mostly by grandparents. So it's a
kind of very important day for families have a small girl or girls, which means today, like my
friend, you must stay home with your families to celebrate your daughter's great future, no
fishing, has to be a good farther.

Despite I have a daughter, I am very lucky as she and my wife have no interest in Hinamatsuri
any more. Two days later than official opening but today was our opening day of trout season.
We headed to river Omi which is the biggest tributary of river Kano. It's the most famous and
popular river near Kanto region, as it's just a few hours drive from Tokyo and Yokohama. Since
we have heard the report of the opening day (1st of March), no need to leave home quite early
in the morning, but to avoid any traffic jam. we left Yokohama quite early.



When we got there just after eight in the morning, there's two fly guys already wet flies on
the water. No need to be rush, cold outside, we chatted for a while in the car and slowly started
to prepare to fish. As first, I tied my favourite wet flies which I believe very effective at the
beginning of the season and walk a bit to upstream. Checking fast, slow, deep and shallow water,
moving flies in various speed and direction. No sign or contact, I gave it up and started to wait
for the right moment, hatch and rise at my favourite spot.



Occasionally, I could see flying small cranefly and beatis, but no fish rise at all. Had early lunch
and waited another one hour as last year I saw the first rise after one o'clock. Nothing, no more
patience any more and I once again started to fish with wet flies. Shortly then, unexpectedly,
I got first contact and it's a small beauty, Amago, the first fish of the season for me.



Soon, the mayflies started hatching around 13:40 and I was wandering and watching if there's
fish rise. No rise, but luckily I got another take and got another small beauty. The first day of
the season for me in this river has not been any good but totally four takes and landed two fish
was I must say it's a pretty good.



Data
River Omi, the tributaries of river Kano, Shizuoka
Weather: Passing cloud / Cold
Day ticket ￥1100
Temperature: 6.9 - 9.2 - 10.3 ℃
Wind: ESE 3.7 - 4.3 mps - SE 3.7 (Mishima)
Fishing: 09:30 - 14:00
Catch: Two Amago
Fly: Green body partridge #14, Peacock body black #14
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01.MAR.2012

Spring has come, March has come, March 1st is the opening day of the trout season, for
me it's the busiest month of the year. Actually some river in Kanto region opens mid Feb,
mid March or even later, however March 1st is something special for many trout anglers.
Anyway we plan our opening day of river trout fishing on March 3rd.



Weather looked good, I dashed to my home to fish and after dinner I was on my way walking
on the beach to the rocks. Despite the sea looked clam on the beach, the waves dashed
against the rocks, occasionally swelled topping over 1.5 meter and scared me to fish at some
place. I walked around to find safe place to fish and shortly after then got a first bite. A small
fish but I was so happy. Later on, luckily I got another one, with the flood tide more swells
and I decided to back home earlier.



Data
Sea rocks Miura, Kanagawa
The 3rd day of Neap tide
Moon age: 4.1
Low tide: 16:22, 40cm, High tide: 00:43, 90cm
Sunrise: 06:11, Sunset: 17:37
Moonrise: 10:37, Moonset: 00:26
Weather: Partially cloudy, Cold
Wind: ENE 2.0 - 2.4 mps
Temperature: 8.9 - 9.1 ℃
Fishing: 21:00 - 22:15
Catch: Two, Mebaru
Fly: Silicone tube white zonker
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