FLy Fishing of Hokkaido
All About, all year round
Early Spring
Late February to mid-April
In the Niseko area, central Hokkaido, and southern Hokkaido, the amemasu that swim upriver from the sea and the amemasu that overwinter in the rivers mix together, and the fish become gradually more active immediately after the ice falls from the rivers. You can enjoy amemasu in good condition, which is unique to southern Hokkaido.
What is SeaRun Amemasu?
The waters of the Sea of Japan in southern Hokkaido are unusually warm for Hokkaido, and for Searun Char＝Amemasu and other small bait fish, the feeding and digestion cycle is short, making this the season in which they grow most rapidly.
Every year in February, when the river freezes over, you can fish for the rainbow trout that remain in the river and those that have migrated upstream from the sea and are in good condition.
Amemasu that grow up in the sea have a fighting style that sets them apart from that is commonly thought of.
The photo shows a muscular male in early April.
Compatible Fly
In the early season, the flies seem to trigger the predation of the Amemasu by giving them the impression of preying in the ocean. In the later season, they become more selective, and patterns of salmon fry rising to the surface and shrimp patterns that are easier to cast are effective.
In recent years, the number of anglers has been increasing again.
Fly selection and fishing style have become important factors. It is no longer possible for anyone to catch a fish, so it is time for guides to show their skills.
How to FlyFish
The river is wide and wind can easily pass through , so the safest way to fish is with a two-handed spey cast, and it's a great way to practice casting, but some people try it with a single hand.
There are some points suitable for single-handed fishing, but there are also some points that look unchanged if you don't know them well, but are always there every year. This single-handed guest caught about 10 good-sized fish over two days.
Eastern Hokkaido Tour
In April, the rivers from eastern Hokkaido to the Okhotsk Sea melt, and it becomes possible to fish for Amemasu. In the early stages, they are not wary of catching a fly, and tend to hit it without any care if it is placed in front of them, but they soon become wary of this too.
The condition is not the same as in the southern Hokkaido region, with many typical thin fish, but there are many proven rivers and you can enjoy a unique spring tour. Tours are available for 3 days or more.