The world came to an abrupt halt from 2020 to 2022. Covid-19 had completely taken over. The situation was no different in Japan. Perhaps with even more caution taken with social distancing. So naturally, I put my little project on pause as well.
Finally, in September 2023, I packed my fly gear and headed to the mountain streams of Iwate. Notably the tributaries of the Waga River, known for its wild Japanese Char.
This was my second time being guided by Mr. Sato, a veteran fly guide based in Kitakami City. The day before, he had checked with local anglers about water levels and would stop by along bridges to check conditions firsthand as well.
We drove deep along the narrow forest roads and stopped where the river was accessible. We put on our waders and had a cup of coffee that Mr. Sato had set up for me. “This is special”, he said (He ordinarily doesn’t do this for most customers).
(Fly tackle setup) With small stream fishing like this, I used my 8’ 3wt. rod and #3 reel. A 9’ leader and some tippet, with a #16 parachute Adams works fine. Shorter rods down to 7’ or even under work as well. Although, savvy local anglers like Mr. Sato are adamant about 20ft leader/tippet systems to reduce even the smallest of drag.
The Japanese Char in streams like this are considered big at 30cm (or “shaku” size). They are all native and wild fish. Like any river fishing, the fish are hungry in the warmer months, but as Mr. Sato acknowledges, they become very finnicky in the late summer months, when they’ve seen plenty of dry flies floated by them.
The slow-moving pools become difficult to catch.
On the contrary, the biggest fish I caught on this day was by drifting a bushy #16 stimulator along a shaded riffle by the bank. The fish splashed with ferocity and ate it.
We ended the afternoon with an early dinner at a local restaurant in Kitakami, where I ate the Japanese favorite, pork ginger stir fry. My stomach was full and so was my soul.
-Yuichi
