[Beginner's Stream Fishing] A fishing trip along the Takahashi River in a village in Yamanashi Prefecture and a trip to eat Okutama yamame.

The author, who has started stream lure fishing, decided to practice in the streams after the rain to improve the technical skills felt to be lacking last time. Regardless of the catch, it was a very satisfying trip, enjoying roasted yamame on the way back.

The river I headed to is the Takahashi River located in the upper reaches of the Tamagawa River

This time, I will be heading to the Takahashi River in Koshu City, Yamanashi Prefecture. It is in the upper reaches of the Tamagawa River, and since I have visited the nearby campground multiple times, it is a familiar river that I often gaze at during my travels.

It was a summer day, but the lush trees blocked the sunlight, and a cool breeze flowed along the stream. Just walking in the refreshing river made me feel that it was worth coming here.

I came this time to practice casting lures, so I continuously cast into promising spots. I was able to throw to the targeted areas every few casts, and finally, I witnessed a scene where a fish over 20 cm chased my lure.

From reflecting on the snagging that happened last time, I purchased lures that float well in the water, resulting in almost no snags while casting, which was a significant achievement. By being able to cast without disturbing the spots, I learned the importance of using different lures effectively.

This is a place where nature and human life intersect.

Since a river flows along the settlement, I felt less fear of bears than at the Arima River in Hannō, but I discovered an animal skull while walking. Even if people live nearby, this place still feels like the habitat of wild animals, and it makes me realize that I am in deep nature.

It was a relatively easy place to walk with little elevation change, but I ended the day upon reaching the confluence point of the river upstream. I caught nothing again, just a big fat zero, but I had great practice and had a lot of fun.

While walking along the road by the river, I found an old half-bell towering towards the blue sky. I also saw one at Shimo-bu Onsen in Yamanashi, where I went for an interview before, but it seems that many towns and settlements have half-bells that have been left behind since ancient times.

Walking in this area was a place I wouldn't have visited just to head to the campsite, so encountering unfamiliar scenery might be one of the benefits of starting stream fishing.

Eating Okutama Yamame at a kamameshi restaurant

I hadn't eaten anything since the morning, so I stopped by a kamameshi restaurant on the way back. My goal was to eat the Yamame that I couldn't catch.

This shop handles Okutama yamame, and I was supposed to be able to eat sashimi, but unfortunately, it was sold out that day. Instead, I ordered grilled fish, and the tender meat had a deep and rich flavor that was very delicious. Next time, I want to come back to eat sashimi when it's available.

Stream fishing is a series of new discoveries

Since I started stream fishing, my range of activities has expanded, and I feel like I can now see the landscapes that I have overlooked until now. Next time, I will report on the refreshing scenery along the streams that is rarely seen in everyday life through fishing.

Interviews and text / Kazuma Tanaka

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