Wakasagi Smelt Fishing Tour- Day Trip Around Lake Hibara

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Article from the February 2016 Issue of Style Koriyama

Wakasagi Smelt Fishing Tour- Day Trip Around Lake Hibara

This is the 2nd feature on Urabandai!! “Wakasagi Smelt Fishing” is one of the winter traditions in Japan! An amateur fashion model, Ikkou and I visited Lake Hibara from our passion for the experience and to let that be known by writing about it. It was −2C(−35.6F) on that day. The area around Lake Hibara is a year-round tourist spot, and in winter, you can enjoy handline fishing of wakasagi smelt released during the season.

Wakasagi Smelt Fishing Tour- Day Trip Around Lake Hibara

Wakasagi Smelt Fishing Tour- Day Trip Around Lake Hibara

This is Lake Inawashiro on the way to Urabanadai. We saw many swans flew from Siberia.

Wakasagi Smelt Fishing Tour- Day Trip Around Lake Hibara

Found a monkey while driving on a powder snow road. The face was truly red♪

 

Fishing

Tips for Wakasagi Smelt Fishing!
Wakasagi smelt does not like bait.
Remember when you lured your wife or husband.
Gently, persistently, and with no giving up.
Pull it up strongly when you feel a good response!

The Skipper

Wakasagi Smelt Fishing Tour- Day Trip Around Lake Hibara

“Onsen Minshuku (Guest House) Endo” we visited this time started their business in the 47th year of Showa era (1973), which is the longest established guest house around the area. But this year, the water was not frozen over yet when we visited because of the warm winter, which was the first time for Mr. Endo, too.

The Dome Ship on the lake!
A handmade fishing rod♪

Wakasagi Smelt Fishing Tour- Day Trip Around Lake Hibara

We went to the Dome Ship on the lake by shuttle boat. It was warm and comfortable in there because it has a heating system.
Inside the ship, we had a free choice of seats and rented their handmade fishing rods, which were excellent because they enabled us to adjust the fishing line right above the point and wind up quickly with a motor when we got a hit.

Let’s get fishing!

Wakasagi Smelt Fishing Tour- Day Trip Around Lake Hibara

Congrats☆He got the first one!

▲”It became fun after getting the hang of it. So good to feel the thrill when I pull it up. I think even beginners can catch too because Mr. Endo is a good teacher.”
It would be fun for couples and families.

Put bait worms on seven hooks each, had a line in the water, and started fishing!
Mr. Endo taught us tips: patiently waited for a bite, and stayed still moving the line up and down.

Both fishing and liquors stimulate our spirits. It was a great moment enjoying both of them at the same time.

 

Wakasagi Smelt Fishing Tour- Day Trip Around Lake Hibara

▲Ikkou brought his flask and shot glass, and enjoyed whisky while fishing.

Wakasagi Smelt Fishing Tour- Day Trip Around Lake Hibara

Mr. Endo broke into a broad smile.
It seemed he loved all farm work, people, and Lake Hibara.

The way he communicated with regulars, checking around each dome ship, was very kind and caring.

 

Great food on the lake

Wakasagi Smelt Fishing Tour- Day Trip Around Lake Hibara

Cheers!

We went back in the shuttle boat and immediately started cooking the fish we had just caught. This is the only place that we can cook and eat the freshest fish!
After coating the fish with the mixture of flour, salt, and pepper, we put them in hot oil to deep fry. “You must cover with a lid because the fish caviar explodes and pops.”
Sprinkled salt over freshly fried fish, and it was done. We toasted with the fish, pinching the tail part. This is Endo’s style!

▼They came up crispy♪
▼Put in hot oil!
▼We started early in the morning. See how many we got!!

Wakasagi Smelt Fishing Tour- Day Trip Around Lake Hibara

▲We can cook immediately.
▲Make sure to cover with a lid♪
▲Sprinkle salt, and it is done.

“So good!” The combination of beer and the delicious hot dish made us very happy♪
Wakasagi Smelt from lake Hibara is branded fish that gets the price per one individual.
The results of radiation monitoring test have been completely negative, so there is no need to worry.

▼Open up your mouth.
▼Just kidding.
▼Yum!

Wakasagi Smelt Fishing Tour- Day Trip Around Lake Hibara

 

About Onsen and Accommodation Facility

About Onsen and Accommodation Facility

Hot spring water used at the guest house is calcium sulfate water and drawn from Wasezawa Onsen, which is said to help scars and wounds. The water for both inside and out side bath freely flows with no circulation, (called “kakenagashi”). Relax your tired body from fishing or skiing.

About Onsen and Accommodation Facility

Mr. Endo grows various local specialty vegetables, such as scarlet runner beans, highland Japanese radishes and others, which are served for meals. The great nature of Urabandai Highland will show you various aspects of seasons. We wanted to stay and feel the nature more though this time we visited as one day trip.

Interview cooperation by Onsen Minshuku Endo in Urabandai Highland

Address: 583, Aza Wasezawa, Kitahibara-mura, Yama-gun, Fukushima
Tel: 0241-34-2233

※Information in this article might have been changed. We appreciate your understanding.

 

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