Ayu fishing



A typical scene on a summer day on the Oochise River. Many keen fishermen/women often make long picket lines with their fishing rods.


Ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis altivelis) is a typical riverine fish of Japan. Ayu fishing is quite a unique way to catch fish. This method relys on the territorial feeding behaviours of the Ayu fish. Ayu feeds on algae which grows on the surface of the stones and rocks. To obtain enough algae, the fish protect certain areas of the river bed, and attack other predators who attempt to invade their territory. Fishermen use an Ayu fish as a decoy. They put several fishing hooks with very sharp ends on the decoy's body. 10 to 15 cm of leader are also attached to the decoy's body. The Fishermen then manipulate the decoy into a wild fish's territory with a long rod and very thin fishing line. If everything is in place, the decoy will successfully invade the territory and the wild fish will attack the decoy. Once this happens, the ayu will be hooked and you will catch the wild fish.
The Oochise River is an ideal river for Ayu fishing because the current is relatively weak and the water is shallow. Its wide and flat rocky riverbeds hold many Ayu fish. In addition, this open riverbed provides us with easy walking areas along the river. You can enjoy Ayu fishing along the rivers reach of the Oochise from early June to mid September.



Information
Furikusa gawa Gyogyou Kyoudou Kumiai
TEL : (81) 536-76-0242
Furikusa gawa Fishing Information Service (Japanese only)
TEL : (81) 536-76-1000
Toei Kanou-kyoukai (Tourist Association)
TEL : (81) 536-76-1812
The price of a fishing licenses

One day license
from June 1st to June 30th

2,500 Yen
from July 1st to July 30st

2,000 Yen
from July 31st to the end of the season

1,000 Yen
　　
One full season license

13,000 Yen

Note : The tributeries of the Oochise River, such as Futto gawa, Awashiro gawa, and Nane gawa are exceptional.



Access

by public transport

JR Toyohashi station
to(100 min. by JR Iida-sen line, Time table)

JR Toei station
to(15 min. by Toei municipal bus, Toei-sen line Time table)

Senbashi bridge, Yakuba-mae (Town hall), Ichiba, or Toei onsen-mae (Toei hot spring) bus stop


from these bus stops
to(10-30 min. by Higashisonome-sen line Time table)

Kinshi, Hiraiwa, Mitsuishi, Kawakado, Nie-buchi,
or Tokiwabashi bus stop


by car

Please get off the Tomei Express Way at the Toyokawa interchange. Then. head north on the Kokudou 151 (Route 151, in the direction of Iida city).
After 70 minutes of driving (45 km), you will arrive in Toei.

Pass through the Shin-hongou tunnel and Komakubo tunnel. Then, turn right at the second three-way-stop (no traffic signal). Cross the Senbashi bridge, turn right and go straight on route 473 (R473, in the direction of Uragawa). Any spot along the rivers reach from the Senbashi bridge along the Oochise is suitable for Ayu fishing.

2003/10/01 Update