Old bamboo rod and plants color-dyed net. Fish complements the equipment.

In Japan, It is in March that most of rivers open their season.

I would like to congratulate on that.

As I did all my chores smoothly,

I went for Tenkara fishing on the weekend – of course, in my local fishery.

It was said to rain occasionally on Saturday – the weather was terrible and

I was told the water in the western region was muddy.

Then I thought of a river in the east.

Streams in the east look cold.

Tenkara fishers also do research on rivers.

Without any hesitation, I changed directions and headed for the river I had on my mind.

Japan’s climate varies between the east and the west.

There is still snow left in the North-Eastern area like Tochigi.

They may be able to enjoy Tenkara fishing only from May.

The place where I live, Shizuoka, is situated in the middle of Japan,

close to Mt. Fuji. We have many warm days.

Here it does not snow; we can enjoy Tenkara from the beginning of March.

The river I headed for was clear but it was cold.

could not meet fish, but I managed to play with small ones.

I checked the weather report on the Sunday weather.

It said it would go up in temperature.

Guessing the water had become clear, I headed for a local river in the west.

I went for the head water.

I was sure it must be clear.

The higher we go, the clearer the river becomes.

But thanks to extermination program of deer,

I heard the sound of rifle shots in the distance.

I didn’t like the sound. Birds were flying away for escape.

I found the spot for entering the stream.

That was the spring path to the stream without any snow covered.

The stream was not beaten by fishermen as I could see moss covering there.

Fishermen should find out whether the spot is already overly fished.

If roads should be damaged or mountain should have collapsed,

I will report to a civil engineering office for the sake of

other fishermen coming afterward.

It’s the duty of responsible fishermen.

That day there was nobody else – it was the peaceful stream.

I was a bit nervous about if fish would play with me.

I brought an old bamboo rod that I had bought 30 years before and had seldom used.

I used the horse hair line which I tweaked myself.

I was in a mood to use a bamboo rod that day as I had done all the small things.

I wished I could use the wand in an ideal way.

I was almost feeling like toasting for the opening of the trout season.

If I really want to fish, of course I use Oni rod and a level line.

Because I want fish to be unaware of me and fish more practically.

But on that day, I somehow felt I just wanted to play in the stream whether I could catch or not.

For such a day, I take a bamboo rod and a horse hair line.

I cast a fly onto the ideal spot.

I sensed the move of fish. I felt wonderful.

Spring has already come in the river.

As the temperature went up, bugs came out.

This is the sign that the river is properly maintained.

It’s been surviving without being damaged.

Playing with fish from time to time,

I made coffee on the river bank, putting the rod there.

I was sure that if I changed placed and continued to fish until the dusk,

I could get more fish or bigger ones.

But that day, I wanted to just thank to the healthy river

and wanted to pass time there without rush.

I was made to think that way as I run into Tenkara

and could think more deeply about fishing.

The fish there are blue in color and have big tail fins.

Healthy descendants have been surviving there like before.