Tama River – Lower Section
Lower section of Tama River begins at downstream of Chofu Sluice underneath Maruko Bridge and ends at Tokyo Bay where Haneda Airport is located. Tidal water effect the entire lower section and brackish water allow andromous fish such as sea perch to go between river and the bay.
(View: Chofu Sluice)
Chofu Sluice attracts many lure and fly anglers who can park their cars at nearby park or get off trains at Shin Maruko Station.
(View: downstream of Chofu Sluice)
Riverbed changes from freestone to silt beyond this point. Crustaceans and annelids are abundant in this segment that cradles many predatory fish.
(View: flat near Kawasaki)
Estuary forms silt flats on the both end.
(View: near Haneda Airport)
Species
Carp, eastern redfin, and barbel steed
Sea perch
Mullet
License
1,000 JPY/day
5,000 JPY/year
Under 13 are free
Tama River – Middle Section
(View: near Fussa)
Mid section of Tama River begins at downstream of Hamura Sluice and ends at Maruko Sluice which blocks brackish water to go further upstream. Water is neither salty or cold which makes great area for warmwater flyfishing.
(View: tributary No River next to main stream near Futago Tamagawa)
Most of mid section runs through urban area and allow easy access by trains.
(View: downstream of Futago Tamagawa)
Species
Carp, dace, chub.
Smallmouth & largemouth bass
Catfish
Spey casting middle age men
License
1,000 JPY/day
5,000 JPY/year
Under 13 are free
Tama River – Upper Section
Tama River originates in mountain springs of Oku Chichibu Mountains. Rain drops pouring into mountains are collected into mountain creeks that merge into Okutama Reservoir.
(View: downstream of Shiromaru Dam)
Stream flows out of the reservoir continues to run towards South East Tokyo completing 138km journey to sea next to Haneda Airport, we know as Tokyo Bay.
(View: downstream of Okutama Fishing Centre)
Upper section of Tama River is commonly called Okutama River which begins from water flowing out of Okutama Reservoir which runs through valley and ends at Hamura Sluice where widened river is split into mid section of Tama River and Tama River Waterworks.
Section good for wet fly is between Hamura Sluice to Kawai Camp Site where river is still wide. Then it turns into narrow mountain river near Okutama Fishing Centre which is more ideal for dry fly/nymph fishing.
(View: Hamura Sluice)
Fast flowing water without too much urbanization nearby stay pure and cold which make this segment of Tama River ideal habitat for trouts.
Sections Upstream:
Sections Downstream:
Species
Cherry salmon and rainbow trout.
Carp, dace, and chub.
Smallmouth & largemouth bass
License
2,000 JPY/day upon purchase from ticket machines (ID: 0231625)
2,500 JPY/day on sight
Under 13 are free
River Map
CDC Peacock Beetle – Dry/Floating Nymph
In summer time, mountain stream in Japan become quite simple once insects fallen from trees become abundant. Very simple and effective pattern that should stay in your fly box especially when you go after chars.
You could wrap a hackle in parachute style to improve buoyancy, but that will make the profile larger and tends to turn off cherry salmons who love think shape object.
Hook: Gamaktasu C14-BV (eye opens sideways) #12-18
Wing: CDC natural colour
Under Body: Dark coloured dubbing
Over Body: Peacock herl (use 3 or more strands to make fat body)
Caddis Pupa – Nymph
You can use hare’s ear nymph to mimic larva stage of caddis fly, but pupal stage needs to have distinctive shape for it moves very quickly towards the surface of water. You could use this pattern for just drifting, but it best performs its worth when you give it an emerging action from bottom to surface or simply use wet fly technique and swing it across current.
Hook: Gamakatsu C12-B #10-14
Ribbing: Gold wire
Body: Olive hare’s ear
Thorax: Tan hare’s ear
Legs: Partridge hackle
Hare’s Ear Nymph – Nymph
If I’m asked “you are allowed to tie only one fly pattern”, then I will choose hare’s ear nymph without hesitation. I can’t tell exactly how fish mistake this nymph for, but it works in icy cold season to hot summer season the same. It attracts fish from mountain stream to ocean.
It just looks tasty. When I use pheasant tail nymph to strictly mimic mayfly, then I use very fluffy hare’s ear for something else. You go fine with just 2 colours: tan & olive. If you are fishing dark or in the murky water, you will need black.
Hook: Gamaktsu B10-S #14-10
Weight: Leadwire
Tail: Pinch of hare’s ear
Body: Hare’s ear, wrapped tightly
Thorax: Hare’s ear, wrapped loosely
Species Caught with Hare’s Ear Nymph
- Landlocked salmon, trout, and char
- Smallmouth bass and blue gill
- Common carp
- Mullet, blowfish, and surf perch
Pheasant Tail Nymph – Nymph
All rounder pattern for mayfly nymph. Size mostly used in Eastern Japan are #14 or 16 in mountain stream, and larger size in bigger river or lake.
Hook: TMC 5263 #10-14
Ribbing: Copper wire
Tail & Body: Pheasant tail
Leg & Case: Pheasant tail
Thorax: Peacock herl
