the Agano River

the Agano River

The Agano River is one of largest river in Japan. We have two big rivers in Niigata City. One is the Shinano and the other is the Aga.

We enjoy Modori-Yamame fishing in early summer. Modori-Yamame is one of Yamame trout. Modori means "return". Some of Yamame trout in rivers go down to the sea and become Masu salmon. But some of them return to rivers and do not become salmon. We call them Modori-Yamame.

The length is from thirty to forty cm. Color is silver.

See pages of Yamame trout and Masu salmon.

My games

Then I show you pictures of Modori-Yamame I fished. Look at Pic.14. You see two fishes. The larger one is Masu salmon, the smaller one is Modori-Yamame. They look alike, for they are the same species.

Pic.1	Pic.2	Pic.3	Pic.4
Pic.5	Pic.6	Pic.7	Pic.8
Pic.9	Pic.10	Pic.11	Pic.12
Pic.13	Pic.14

(Catch and Release is not common in Japan. But I keep only below twenty trouts a year. Because I hope to enjoy trout fishing with my grand sons.)

Fishing season

Modori come back to the Agano in May and June. So the fishing season of Modori is in May, June and July. In August water temperature is warmer. Modori go to the upper river.

My spots

1. Manganji in Niitu City

   There is a small dam called Tokogatame of Manganji in Niitu City. It takes thirty minutes to go there from Niigata City. The course is easy. Go west on the 49th highway.
   

2. Yasuda

   There is also a small dam called Tokodome of Watariba in Yasuda Cho. It takes fifty minutes to go there from Niigata City on the 49th highway.

Tackles and Methods

They eat young "Ayu". Ayu is one of common fish in Japanese rivers. Ayu goes up to the river from the sea in Spring. The length is about eight cm when Ayu enter rivers. Modori chase and bite at them. So lure tackles are best choice. Probably fly fishing is also available. But I have never challenge it. I always use spoons and plugs. The weight of spoons is about seven gr. The length of plugs is about sevsen cm.

When the river is swelling, it is difficult to fish. For fishes will scatter and water of the river will be claudy. When the river is not swelling, Ayu and Modori will gather in the rapid stream. You may see Modori chase groups of Ayu. Cast lures and retrive. I think you should not sink your lures deeply. Modori bite at lures just under the surface water. It is difficult to fish even though you see Modori chase small fishes.

Good luck!