July 4, 2025

I just couldn't bring myself to go fishing lately... but then a few guide inquiries came in, and as I was replying to them, I thought, “Alright then!” and finally got myself moving.
Honestly, it’s the same every year.

Now, when it comes to guiding fishing trips ? it's not like I do anything fancy. If the person can already cast decently, I just let them lead the way the whole time.
As for me? I hang back, keep my distance, and read a paperback. Seriously ? that’s how it goes.
What matters most are the entry and exit points, and managing time properly.
Once someone has the lay of the land on the first outing, I’ll have them go in solo from the second time onward.
Whether it’s fishing or hiking, I think it’s best done alone.
There’s a kind of tension that comes with being solo, and I recommend gradually expanding your range of activity within that comfort zone.

Anyway, enough preamble ? this morning I left the house at 5:30 and entered the stream around 6:30.
From the get-go, solid fish were darting out left and right.
“Whoa, they’re really active today!” I thought, and after playing with three good ones, I realized the soles of my waders were coming off.
Huh? They're peeling?!
I was stunned... but yeah, I guess that happens.

And that was that ? game over.
Thank goodness I was alone.
Being alone means you can just say, “I’m done,” and head back without hesitation.
So I went home, grabbed a different pair of waders, packed them in my backpack, and headed out again.

The video this time is from that second attempt.
I think I was in the stream for about 30 minutes.
Five fish came out to play, and the last one was a big one ? might have just hit the 30cm mark. Maybe not.
Anyway, the iwana (Japanese char) were exactly where they were supposed to be, and they came out just as expected.

So, this marks my (very subjective) official start to the fly fishing season!

By the way ? someone already commented, “Oh, so you use rubber boot waders, Mr. Ishikida.”
Yep, that’s right. I wear nothing else most of the time ? specifically hip waders
(like this 5,756-yen pair on Amazon).

I don’t like being hot. I don’t like hassle.
And most of all, I hate getting wet.
Of course, when I go to more serious places like the Kurobe headwaters or Yakushizawa, I do use proper gear ? Gore-Tex waders and stream shoes (my old Shugakuso Climb Zone pair from over 35 years ago!).
Haven’t needed them in a while, though...