I return to the Nishibetsu River, one year after my last trip. This time I just focus on the upstream part, where the river is easily wadeable.
Access and Fishing Notes
Directions:
On this trip I concentrate on the upper stretch of the river just below the bridge near the Hokkaido Fisheries Research Institute. From the South/West, take the E38, and E61 to Ashoro IC. Then follow the 242 North to Ashoro. In the centre of Ashoro, turn onto the 241. Follow the 241 all the way through the Akan-Mashu National Park and on to Teshikaga. From Teshikaga, the 243 takes you towards the river. Take the 885 and then a side road to get to the parking spot about 300m from the Fisheries Institute.
Access:
There is a track from the parking spot that takes you down to the river.
Note that fishing upstream of the bridge near the Fisheries Research Institute is not allowed.
Conditions:
Weather was fine with high cloud cover and a starting temperature of about 16C. The river is shallow with lots of trailing weeds on this stretch.
Technique:
I used a 5-weight fly rod and floating, tapered line. Fished up- and cross-stream with a mixture of dry flies. Due to the weeds, dry fly is really the only option here.
Fish:
Japanese native trout, Iwana and Yamame up to about 25cm.
Also spotted deer on this stretch.
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