The wait is over. Fishing on the mountain streams of Nikko officially opened on March 21st, and tenkara angler Takashi Sakauchi wasted no time heading to a nearby stream on opening day to see what the season had in store.
The early results were modest but promising: several yamame (cherry salmon) measuring around 15 cm, caught on tenkara in classic fashion. Small fish, but a welcome sight after a long off-season, and a reliable signal that better things are coming.
“I expect the fish size and activity to gradually increase from here, so I’m looking forward to even better results.” – Takashi Sakauchi
Nikko’s streams run cold and clear through the forest, making it some of the most beautiful tenkara water in Japan. The yamame here are a prized catch, very wary, beautifully marked, and perfectly suited for tenkara. Early-season fish tend to hold in slower, sun-warmed pockets, so anglers willing to read the water carefully should find success even before the hatches pick up in earnest.
Note: Our friends at Nikko Tenkara (Hiroyuki Ishii & Takashi Sakauchi) have offered to send us brief updates on their fishing and guiding season in Japan. If you are visiting Japan and have interest in their tenkara guide services, visit their website at nikko-tenkara.com. Tell them Tenkara Angler sent you!
Do you have a story to tell? A photo to share? A fly recipe that’s too good to keep secret? If you would like to contribute content to Tenkara Angler, click HERE for more details.
Discover more from Tenkara Angler
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Yamame are such beautiful fish. Reminiscent of a parr marked rainbow, yet still so different.