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Catch and release
Only one who knows his collection water insects can make a good fly fisherman. 99.11.16/ Temperature: 1C/ Weather: Rain and snow/ Wind Direction: W
Start: Shizu, Nishikawa Machi/@Latitude:38 29 31 m/ Longitude: 140 00 04 E
Destination: Oisawa, Nishikawa Machi 00 04 E
Distance Traveled: 12 kmThe first snowfall on this journey hit me this morning as I took down my tent. My thermometer read 1C. The moist winter air blew so hard I had to lean into it as I headed down the foothills of Mt. Gassan on my way to Oisawa.
Deep in the mountains of central Yamagata Prefecture lies the Sagae River. In spite of the rich natural healing power of the buna beech forest, subjection to the endless construction of sand protection dams has significantly reduced the native species of fish that once roamed the rivers and streams. In Oisawa I met a man who is making the best of the situation. Mr. SHIDA Tadaaki has been instrumental in implementing a new system of "catch and release" in his hometown river.
Catch and release is a practice that takes me back to my home country, USA. Catch and release was started in the United States close to 30 years ago along certain sections of the rivers, which flow through Yellow stone National Park. Fish that are caught in catch and release areas are released back into the rivers in order to protect fish populations as well as river ecosystems. To my surprise, catch and release has found its way to Japan.
Hand crafted flies made by Mr. SHIDA are modeled after insects found in specific areas of the river. "Until several years ago, one could rarely sight fish along the Sagae River," said Mr. Shida in the dim lit cafe of his bed and breakfast set back just meters from the river. "All of the spawning grounds have been blocked off by sand protection dams, water temperature has increased, there is less oxygen in the water, and the river bottoms are no longer suitable for water insects," he explained. "Twenty-years ago we stopped the collection of gravel from the river here, but it wasn't until 1995 that I said, 'Hey, we need to do something to bring back the fish'."
What resulted from his action is the current catch and release practice now being implemented along 10 kilometers of the Sagae River. "When I was little, I used to release small fish that I caught so I felt no resistance to the idea of catch and release. In the old days, only people from this area fished here. People fished so that there would be enough for the following year. Since people have started to come from outside to fish here, fish populations have rapidly decreased. If the fish don't leave the river we can solve that problem."
"Starting in 1997, catch and release has been implemented for 3 years. Fish have returned to our waters. If we stopped though, the fish would be gone within a week. Now, this is one of the few rivers in Japan where you can see char . As a result the number of fishermen have increased rapidly. Fortunately they all come bearing licenses and are fly fishermen."
My tent sits close to a ledge in the first snow since I've arrived in Honshu (the main island of Japan). I inquired about what is so special about fly fishermen. "Fly fishermen don't come for food. They come for sport. In order to catch fish by fly, you must know what flies fish bite after. To do this you must be familiar with water insects. Knowledgeable fly fishermen will then realize that more insects live in clean water and that clean water comes from a good forest," explained Mr. SHIDA, showing me several of his own hand-made flies along with the insects that they resemble.
Mr. Shida himself is an outstanding example himself. "I am doing this because I want to maintain the nature and culture of this area as it has been for centuries. If we preserve the rivers, mountains, forests and our culture, as an added value, customers will come to the area to enjoy it. I don't know that catch and release is the answer, but it seems like an idea worth trying."
I am happy to see that ideas originating in America are contributing to the efforts of locals here in Japan.
Tomorrow, Mr. Shida will take me out to see the large char that now swim just meters from his bed and breakfast.
Greg
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