Stream fishing season is over at the end of September in JAPAN.

It is resumed in the next March.

From October to February comes the mating season of

Japanese stream trout: amago and iwana char.

They lay egg and fries are born in this season; we do

not bother them during this season.

Fishing ban is necessary due to this reason.

As written before, Japanese fish from salmon families

turn red during the pairing season just like salmon.

It is easy to spot fish with deep reddish colors even

from the distance; I go for observing them.

I’ve been doing this over three decades in this season.

I know suitable places for mating. I go there for

checking how many fish have decreased.

It is a pity to know the number has been decreasing

year by year.

One of the causes is destruction of the nature by building

dam and other man-made structures –natural habitat is

declining in number.

The biggest reason is, however, the fact that fishermen

keep them and take home.

There are so many of them who take home over 20 to 30

fish – only from one fishing trip!

There is no regulation on fresh water fish in Japan.

Everything is left to fishery associations in each area.

Some rivers restrict catch and kill only to 20 fish for

maximum number per person.

But basically most associations do not have any limit rules.

Iwana pair

 

Help for making spawning bed of stream fish at the River Itoshiro this year. Human aid is inevitable for survival of fish.

 

Mr maxtu-san.He is true naturalist

 

Here is one of good river in Gifu

 

Decent-size agamo caught by coco not me on the last of this year’s fishing season.

 

The first successful fishery association is catch-

and-release zone in Itoshiro area　in Gifu prefecture

situated in the center of Japan.

They regulate the catch number – up to 10 fish per

fisherman.

I thought  this was a great decision.

They aimed to restore the number of fish to the number

of 30 years ago.

They didn’t the priority on fishermen but on the fish.

This is why Japan’s state-run broadcasting company

NHK also aired about the association.

The move was led by Mr. Saito, who is one of my important

friends and is a true naturalist.

Without such a movement, fish in this small island

would be cornered one day.

“Tenkara” fishing is now being exported overseas;

with simple set of fishing gear you can enjoy fishing.

This is what makes me pleased.

Surrounded by the sea, lakes and other fishable places,

we Japanese use different types of rods,

lines and rigs depending on the games. You may see such a

variety at regular Japanese fishing shops.

We placed our priority on techniques; we left production

of rods to experts.

Experts on fishing rods in Japan are seasoned fishermen

in certain field and thus they are called experts.

They know the rods for their specialty better than

anyone else.

Experience is the most important knowledge.

As the old saying says, “The gray hair is the crown of

glory,” experience matters the most also in fishing.

In order to enjoy Tenkara, I suggest you deepen its

techniques.

What you have to do is to expand your imagination on

how you fish.

Improve your long line method so that you can catch

the fish in the distance.

In this way, you do not have to rely on reels.

You make the most of the current so that you can sink

your fly and search for fish　in the deep column which

let you not use split shots or weight.

This is because fishermen in Japan just a Several　century

ago did so in the deep mountain.

And those people established “Tenkara.”

Even if you cannot achieve your goal today, you may be

able to do that tomorrow.

Thinking this way makes you excited, and above all that

is the most important and makes you happy.

I think all people regardless of age, gender and handicap

think the same way.

Big couple of mating fish – 50 centimeter male and 35 centimeter female spotted at my home river this year

↓

After the season, we still can enjoy fishing at commercial fishing areas.One day,Oni school

Mr. Ishimori from Team Oni caught a 50-centimeter rainbow.

The fly was cast so accurately onto to a difficult spot, which resulted in a successful catch.

Mr. Santarou from Team Oni Japan also nailed a big one!

Mr. Nakatsu from Team Oni JAPAN also nailed a big one!