This season we caught more of Gogi chars than Amego trout, due probably
to less than average snow / rain fall that kept the river mostly low.
The river was slightly up and turbid on this day, which helped us to greet
this handsome Amego for a change.
May 19
In recent years Ohta river in central Hiroshima has seen a comeback of
Satsukimasu, a type of sea trout.
During the prime season in mid May to June, the likely bends and glides
are occupied by stoic flyfishermen. Chance of catching one is slim but
satisfying is the feeling of swinging a fly in quiet anticipation.
7 years ago at this very spot I made my last cast before departing for
Europe, where I ended up spending 5 long years. Now, again leaving Japan
this time for Australia, I made my one last cast here in the river that
I call home.
Till the day I come see you again.
- Lakes & reservoirs
End August
The final outing in the season was, like the first, to the streams in Sandankyo.
Those fish that survived the season have become smart, not that easy to
be fooled!!
These upper most sections are 100% dependent on natural reproduction.
In an attempt to discourage smaller fish, we upsized flies eventually to
a whopping #8 - yet, proved just as popular with daring big Gogis!
The river was running low, and fish were actively feeding on beetles. We
pulled out one nice fish after another on a big black foam beetle.
End of May, carpet of fresh green leaves finally reaches the highest part
of the Chugoku range.
Obon holidays in August
Trip to Tohoku region in the north east of Japan,
we visited a couple rivers in Iwate and Aomori.
- Tohoku in summer
Mayflies and caddis hatch every evening, and this is the season dryfly
fishing at its best.
As we fish so hard over the weekends, I almost feel a false sense of relief as I commute to the office on Monday morning - a brief break for rehabilitation!
July
The woods are filled with jingling cicadas - something I used to take slight
notice of as a child but, like many such things in life, came to appreciate
better as I grew older.
Though very small, it is a pretty, even fascinating stream. Fishing up
along the length half a day, you encounter such varied sights as if 5 different
streams.
As we waded in the still painfully cold water, shadows of agitated fish
dashed about. The river has already woken up from her long winter slumber.
April 26
Two weeks since our first day out.
Time to go check the river again.
This time we visited a small valley in Kake, a bit nearer to Hiroshima
and at lower elevation too. The stream being small, little chance for trophy
fish, but what lacks in size is more than made up by the quantity. Fun
Dryfly fishing!
June
By the time hydrangea come into full bloom, diet of the trout becomes more
reliant on terrestrials.
'Golden week' in May
Visited streams in Miyazaki and Kumamoto, in the southern island of Kyusyu.
To most of us Kyusyu conjures up subtropical images with perhaps a smoking volcano or two. But we were in for a surprise - the mountains are high enough to turn white in winter, the valleys are so steep we often only hear the river roar. And they are home to some of the most mysterious trout in Japan, called Enoha.
- Kyusyu in May
What we didn't expect was the unusually low water - caused by the extremely
poor snowfall. Some decent rain now in need.
As the sun warmed up the water, we came to observe hatching of midgets.
Discreetly we placed a #18 mayfly imitation on the quiet slough, which
a few seconds later disappeared in a gentle rise ring.
April 14
Season's first outing in Sandankyo gorge.
The secular world at lower elevation has already seen the peak of cherry
blossoms, but here at some 2000ft above sea, the mountain was yet in a
winter attire. The bright sun was shining through the naked branches, and
the river bed was well lit like never seen in summer. The water temperature
was only 8c with no sign of insects, fishing was expectably slow in the
first half of the day.
'07 rivers & streams
