7月ヤマメの解禁なので、7月と8月がヤマメ釣りが楽しめます。サンダルやウエットウェーディングで膝まで浸かって暑い夏を川で過ごすのも気持ちいいです。昨年、一昨年は子供連れのファミリーフィッシングでヤマメがたくさん釣れたので 今年も楽しみです。少しだけ持って帰って自分で釣ったヤマメを唐揚げにして命を頂く。という経験も夏の子供にとってはとても大切な時間になると思います
海からサクラマスが上る。川でヤマメが育つ。かつて川底を覆うように生息していたカワシンジュガイの復活にも期待したい。そしてイトウも海と川を行き来できるような音更川の本来の姿に戻ろうとする自然。そんな姿が思いつつ、たまに釣れる30cmほどのニジマスの引に「これがヤマメだったらなぁ」とつぶやくのでした。
8月は子供の季節。川で子供たちに釣りをさせてあげたいです。
I had a little free time this evening, so I headed to the Otofuke River for a quick fishing trip.
It seems that cherry salmon successfully migrated upstream from the sea last summer, and as a result, the Otofuke River is now full of young yamame (masu salmon). Most of the fish are around 10 cm long, so experienced anglers may find them a bit small, but they are perfect for children and anyone just getting started with fishing.
The yamame season opens in July, making July and August the best months to enjoy fishing for them. Wearing sandals or wet-wading up to your knees is a wonderful way to spend a hot summer day in the river. Last year and the year before, families with children caught plenty of yamame, so I’m looking forward to another great summer.
Taking home just a few fish and cooking the yamame you caught yourself as crispy fried fish is a valuable experience. Learning to appreciate the life that provides our food is something I believe is especially meaningful for children.
Cherry salmon return from the sea, and young yamame grow in the river. I also hope to see the return of the freshwater pearl mussel, which once covered the riverbed in great numbers. And perhaps one day, even Sakhalin taimen will once again be able to move freely between the sea and the river. Watching the Otofuke River gradually recover its natural character fills me with hope.
Still, whenever a feisty 30 cm rainbow trout bends my rod, I can’t help but quietly think, “I wish this were a yamame.”
August belongs to the children. I hope many kids will have the chance to experience fishing in the river this summer.
