JAPANESE FLY NIRVANA !

Japan has from the 1960s been a favorite destination of Mr.Wolf because it is surely other then Paris France, the most civilized country I have ever had the honor to sample period! Iwakuni Japan on the southern coast was my first experience with this ancient country. In the late 1960s much of rural japan was still very much as it had always been. Most impressive was the reverence for tranquility and peace I found in still shadow feudal Japan as a teenage boy... In the last several years Japan hit my radar again because of the overwhelming popularity of fly fishing and Bamboo Fly Rods. One of my great loves in this complicated sport has been my collection and use of Bamboo Fly Rods... I love them and have set international world records with them that may never be broken! See Monster Kings and Sweet Bamboo Part 1 & 2. Japan captivated me in so many ways, food my kind of carefully prepared seafood and vegies the best. The contemporary Japanese fly fisher has an eclectic menu of in country fly venues to choose from. In this column a few will be highlighted, it would take many fly columns to cover all the exciting fly action in Japan...

Fly fishing is taken extremely seriously and Bamboo fly rods are held in high esteem. Before getting into specifics in regard to where in Japan on can sample streams, a word or two on the country itself. Major cities like Hiroshima have all the luxury one could imagine, hotels first class, night life rocks. Once again the Japanese cuisine with strong emphasis on fresh ocean fish prepared carefully ahhh, makes American Japanese food seem rather dull and uninspired. Seasons in Japan especially in the more mountainous zones are blatant and can catch one off guard... If you are interested in fly fishing in Japan, be sure to allot plenty of time as you will be mesmerized by the absolute differences in almost everything from food to the outdoors, a sublime place to visit indeed.

Nakatsugawa Kumogahata

A half hour drive from Kyoto winding into the mountains into an area still quite rural seeking Japanese Trout or Char one can feel the climate changing drastically! International fly fishers have been in the dark about the serious fly fishing happening in areas like this. Not much fanfare, hardly any publicity which of course is why I’m featuring Japan this month. This area has been home to a few small villages from before the Heian period. Quaint does not really describe a place that reminds me of a children’s fairy tale.... The Shimeiin Temple or the Temple of Alpine Roses now known as Temple of Ghosts will disarm jaded westerners as its peacefulness purifies cold mountain air....

Fly fishing these often shallow rivers, streams requires serious stealth techniques not unusual when one attempts fooling char or trout that can easily see you coming into their home. Fast retrieves rarely work, it is the slow careful fly fisher who succeeds in this fragile mountain water world. It is difficult to concentrate on fly fishing as the surroundings are in my mind different then any other fly venue because of the delicacy needed to succeed! One could be well served hiring a fly guide in these isolated zones. It is possible to find competent guides in all fly areas mentioned as they are your key to discovering which fly patterns are best!

Kamasegawa River Kuromori

This river features both fast and slow waters in an area near where a famous Samurai Shengen Takeda discovered Gold! The slow water easily found and wadeable or capable of success by working the rock strewn shoreline, fast water area’s are more difficult to get to and again a seasoned guide would serve one well.Two rivers converge near a dam on this reach action is pretty intense. Dry fly action was ok, but, working streamers in primary colors can work. Though most flies are brownish black affairs indigenous to local insect life. Much to learn if you fly fish Japan. An area really beautiful to behold. Fly action needs to be worked for until you get the drift Cowboy! On clear days Mt, Yokooyama north can be seen, most impressive like Africa’s Mt. Kiilmanjaro. To the northeast Chichibu Tama Kai National Park. Many smaller creek type venues exist if one speaks softly and makes friends with often shy reserved people who rarely intermingle with wild ass Irish writers let alone the common man Baby! This fine river is fed by Mt.Mizugaki ( 2230m). The upper stream quicker deeper more rock strewn colder waters are my favorite. One has to dance upon shaded slippery rocks and blend in with deep shadows cast by Maple and Oak. The water is quicker , the challenges remind me of isolated parts of my home waters in Yosemite National Park California, interesting casting challenges because of trees hugging these smaller streams. It is said ancient Samuri warriors came here to heal and seek tranquility because these rivers are host to ancient Japanese spirits... Smaller 3/4 weight fly rods are best, if you savor working your treasured bamboo fly rods, bring it and use it as these waters are perfect for the live delicacy Bamboo provides. Bamboo fly fishing in Japan a place where Bamboo has always been integral is like going to Bamboo Mecca Pilgrims....

Asogawa River Kijiyama

This area really feels like old world feudal Japan as it has the gently curved bridges and rock gardens one usually can find on post cards. It is also rather sad , a dam being erected due to come on line around 2013 will end the fly action here as it always has been, progress! Colder climate early mornings, evenings extra clothing a must. This mountain cold reminded me of my life in South lake Tahoe California, Alpine cold, to the bone cold. Very few fly fishers work this area which made it perfect for me. My best days anywhere on this shrinking planets fly rod in hand have been with no humans in sight.... Working this are is tough, have been skunked many mornings, then bam here we go. One has to work here, no free rides on Asogawa River. Very wadeable and the river often can be easy to cast on as the rivers in Japan are rarely so wide one can easily cast to all river edges and work all possible trout holding areas. Bring your triple A game to this river and get ready to be schooled Yankee doodle! These Japanese versions of American trout are marked almost identical to arctic char I have caught or in some cases they remind me of Brook trout on steroids. Big shouldered boys, fun to play with, not easy to grass these guys either. One last ditch effort was made to stop Dam construction because the Mountain Hawk eagle was thought to be nesting near the project, this was not confirmed and it appears the project will continue...

Echigawa River

Enchanting ancient ferns flowing grass’s, Wisteria and Honeysuckle provide your natural incense a totally captivating water to fly fish in, my personal favorite place. In many reaches this little river or rivulet is never very wide and so full of life because insects really thrive among the lush vegetation. Odd because it feels as if one has found a time warp back to the most ancient times among ferns and leafy brush that screams, “ We have been thriving here from the moment time began human, watch your step flyman! “ First time I worked this area several years ago I spent all morning sifting under rocks and ledges looking for the most common insects, larvae. As usual the little bugs are brownish, black in color and never very loud in their timelessness. When I stood and gazed from higher rocks or climbed cliffs it was amazing how primal, elemental this area is!

Again can be very shallow transparent requiring your finest stealth work. I highly recommend first sitting back well from the edge of this water and simply watching for half an hour before throwing or disturbing the natural order. Because few fly fishers work these water, trout are weary of any disturbance or your pounding feet vibrating the human alert signal. That signal means you loose pilgrim, may as well eat your lunch and restart your day dreams...

Only Stealth Will Do!

A few hard earned words on what exactly I mean by true stealth fly fishing techniques. Rule number one never simply stroll up to ant small stream or creek and start throwing or wading. If you behave in this manner all the resident trout will feel and see you via shadows, vibrations and will head for cover under or near rocks or under stream edges. You my hopeful fly fisher friend are finished for the day! So many times I have witnessed this routine and wondered why newer fly fishers aren’t aware of this elemental fact of fly fisher life? Never approach fly waters without first spending at least 15/20 minutes watching and taking stock of any rising fish or swirling tails or any clues as to where or what the fish are feeding on.

If one maintains a stealthy behavior with only this one rule, your success ratio will triple no question. Do not waste your time or ruin a fly venue with ignorance fellow fly fishers. In exotic fly venues such as Japan where many creeks, streams, rivers are often shallow transparent, stealth is the only way to fly period. I fly fish to catch and release, not to wade and stump around destroying delicate stream, creek beds. I rarely use my waders unless conditions kill any chance to throw from shore. Always work the waters closest to you just near the stream edge as that is where 99% of resident fish are holding and watching feeding lanes conserving energy is priority one for agua beings. After working the water nearest you then fan out and cover every inch. Keep an eye on your shadow, do not make quick moves, hyde if possible behind rocks or tree’s. Always work every inch by throwing overlapping casts. If you remember these basic rules of the fly highway your odds and your happiness in this sport will soar I promise!




Click Here for this month's story line of

“ ADVENTURES OF FLETCHER QUILL “