The Shari River in North-Eastern Hokkaido rises in the mountains to the North-East of Akan-Mashu national park and eventually runs into the sea at Shari on the North coast. In this stretch, you can take a short side trip to see the Cherry Salmon attempting to jump Sakura Falls.
Native Japanese trout (yamame and iwana) are the target here.
Access and Fishing Notes
Directions:
This stretch of the river is about 15km North of Lake Mashu. From Teshikaga, take the 391 North and after about 30km turn right onto the 805. After about 1km turn right and at Aoba shrine take the road East to the Shari river bridge.
Access:
Access to the river is possible at the bridge near the parking spot shown on the map but the path was overgrown with summer vegetation and trees and vegetation line the river with not many clear spots.
The river is fast flowing and was a little too deep on this stretch for me to comfortably wade with my thigh waders. Some caution is needed to find a suitable spot where there is a clear back cast.
Conditions:
Weather was fine, a few clouds and cooling down a little in the afternoon - probably about 22C. Water was clear and fast flowing on the stretch downstream of the bridge.
Technique:
I used a 5-weight fly rod and floating, tapered line. Fished across and downstream with pheasant tail nymphs - beaded for a little weight in the fast flowing water.
Fish:
Japanese native trout (Yamame and Iwana). Sea-run Cherry Salmon were seen at Sakura Falls (no fishing allowed). Sakura Falls parking is marked on the map.
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