Thirty Years with Fly Fishing

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I have spent thirty years pursuing the art of fly fishing.

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For more than two decades of that journey, I have devoted myself to Spey fishing, standing in the majestic main rivers of Hokkaido and continually exploring the possibilities of this remarkable style of fishing.

 

Hokkaido is home to many magnificent rivers that offer endless possibilities for dedicated main-river anglers, including the Shiribetsu, Teshio, and Tokachi Rivers.

 

From the powerful currents of the spring snowmelt, to the brilliance of summer, the deepening colors of autumn, and the profound silence of winter—the great rivers of Hokkaido are constantly changing.

 

Standing within these ever-changing waters, I find great satisfaction in opening up vast stretches of river through the precision of my own cast.

 

As a large fly swings across the current, the line suddenly comes alive as a trout strikes beneath the surface.

 

The tension of waiting for that moment, followed by the explosive take, creates an exhilaration that is unique to main-river fishing—a feeling that resonates deep within the soul.

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Main-river fishing may appear intimidating at first.

 

Yet once you take that first step, an extraordinary world begins to unfold. It is a world where knowledge, technique, and intuition come together: reading the speed and power of the current, carefully observing subtle changes in the riverbed and structure, and identifying the precise lines where trout are likely to hold.

 

There is something deeply compelling about watching a fly that you have cast yourself swing naturally through the immense current, only to have a trout suddenly emerge from beneath the surface and attack it.

 

Once you experience the moment when a powerful trout takes your fly with tremendous force, you may find the sensation becomes something you continually long to experience again.

 

Another essential part of this journey is fly tying—creating the flies with your own hands and using them to tempt a wild trout.

 

Fly tying is one of the elements that can deepen the experience of this style of fishing.

 

Selecting materials, refining the shape and profile, and experimenting through countless variations all lead to the creation of a single fly.

 

When that fly, born from your own hands, succeeds in attracting a fish, the sense of accomplishment is difficult to describe. It is the culmination of creativity, experimentation, and achievement.

 

Casting is another fundamental attraction of main-river fishing.

 

With every swing, your technique develops, and you learn to control the line with greater precision and subtlety.

 

At times, a powerful trout—the true resident of the river—may take your fly and launch into a battle so fierce that it can pull line far into the backing.

 

Hokkaido is one of the rare places in the world where main-river fishing can be enjoyed throughout the year.

 

As the seasons change, so too do the character of the rivers and the movements of the trout.

 

In particular, the main rivers during winter, surrounded by snow and profound silence, possess a solemn beauty and an almost mysterious atmosphere that words cannot fully express.

 

Why not take your first step into this vast and endless world of main-river fishing?

 

The time spent communicating with nature through your own hands will, I believe, enrich not only your fishing, but perhaps your life as well.Hokkaido is one of the rare places in the world where main-river fishing can be enjoyed throughout the year.

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As the seasons change, so too do the character of the rivers and the movements of the trout.

 

In particular, the main rivers during winter, surrounded by snow and profound silence, possess a solemn beauty and an almost mysterious atmosphere that words cannot fully express.

 

Why not take your first step into this vast and endless world of main-river fishing?

 

The time spent communicating with nature through your own hands will, I believe, enrich not only your fishing, but perhaps your life as well.