We drove back to Nakashibetsu to sample some of the local delicacy.

The dried, lightly grilled Komai (a member of cod) made a wonderful companion to go with Sake rice wine.

H'kaido in autumn - 3

It wasn't' that we couldn't spot any, but those holding on the bottom were already in the spawning mood, not much fun teasing them.

True to the talks on the street, there were few fish in the best of the pools.

Looking down on your feet, you'll notice dead carcasses of spawned out salmon. That's how it works in the nature we know all too well, but still makes us to think of a thing or two.

The most successful fly was an egg pattern tied on a size #10 hook.

The chartreuse wool stood out in the gray colored substrate, helping us to keep track of the fly till it's swallowed by yet another white mouth.

Drove up to the town of Nakashibetsu. The local special noodles gave the warmth that we wanted.

For the afternoon session we drove several kms downstream, in search of a game in a different set up.

The sun came out aiding our polaroiding effort but, alas, there was't any sight of fish down here. We ended up not a bite, but then again, such is the norm when chasing migratory fish.

Day 3

We drove down to Churui river, our favorite playground after short few months' interval.

Sadly, salmon wasn't running well due probably to the unusually high ocean temperature. Not only was the river devoid of fish, but so was the parking lot usually crowded with plenty of fishermen's cars. Anyhow, must give it a try.

The third fish beyond 70cm mark fell to my hands. God only knows if these great catch attests to the rumour of Amemasu growing bigger in the recent years, or a mere luck just for the day?

I was to fish the pool some 200yards downstream. But every time I walked down and resume my fishing position, Sayuri had to call me up to net her catch!

The next one was an impressive 70cm, or 26'' specimen.

The dorsal fin was bitten off probably by a seal in the north sea. But what a handsome peace of nature's work!

Day 2.

We had planned to go check out lake Akan, but tempted by the memory of the bonanza pool discovered the evening before, we ended up visiting the same river once again.

At short past 9a.m. we arrived at the same stretch, again free of any other angler.

So we decided to call it a short day, and drove to the Kawakita hot spring for a quick dip. What a luxury on a chilly autumn day.

Another very handsome fish of 70cm The vicious face was Sayuri's top favourite of the day.

Sayuri was unstoppable this morning. The next fish was yet another trophy of 66cm.

But to tell you the truth, sea run Amemasu is a lousy fighter good at wrigglin' twistin' but not much else. No need of particularly thick tippet or strong hook as you would in Salmon fishing. In fact, lighter set up such as 5wt rod and 6lb tippet worked perfectly fine, especially in drifting unweighted fly to a fish sighted in a shallow but swift current.