Jerry Ukai and Takashi Nagazumi 's Neighborhood Fishing. Going to meet "Oikawa-san" in his stage costume.

Let's start by making a simple fly. As I'm getting older, I can't see small hooks as well (lol), so I'll make one that's just a size larger. For minnows.

Is this a fly that Oikawa designed?

No, no, it's the name of a fish called Oikawa (laughs).

Oh, right! I thought you were talking about the one guy who makes fries, like Oikawa style.

Like, "Let's go for minnows today."

There are colorful flies too.

That's right, when I want to stand out in the dark mountains or deep in the forest, or on the surface of the river, I use colorful flies.

By the way, are the flies shown here based on existing shapes, or are they original designs, Jerry?

They are made to fit a certain shape, but as long as the fly catches fish, it doesn't matter what kind it is. Sometimes you can catch more fish if you make a slight mistake and the shape is distorted. You know how moths that fall into rivers get injured? Some people say that a damaged fly looks like it's damaged. A weak fly is easier for fish to prey on. But you can't really know unless you ask the fish.

I see. This fly has a very soft color.

Today I'm going to Nogawa, a tributary of the Tama River, so I'm making something that resembles a midge. The insects are often found clumped together in a fuzzy mess. I'll try wrapping some thread around the hook. It doesn't matter if it's a bit rough.

I like this kind of detailed work. I'm also good at making "koyori" (paper strings) out of tissue paper. Roll them up thinly. I have to get into the mindset of a minnow to see what it looks like from underwater.

Yes, that's important. Since Takashi is wrapping it, I'd like to add a bit of a flashy color, but what color thread should I use?

For inspiration, how about a melon flavor?

Oh, that's nice, it's summer after all. Male minnows with their nuptial colors on are really cool. They look like Hanaregumi's stage costume.

I would love to meet you in person.

However, it's hard to catch males. From my past fishing experience, females are found in relatively calm areas, while males are found in areas with strong currents. I'll tie another fly. What color should I use this time? How about a different red or orange?

Let's get a head start on autumn with warm colors. It has a salmon vibe. I think this color will bring out the flavor. A dashi fly. My first fly. I can't help but feel like I'll catch something.

That's a great original by Takashi. When tying a fly, it's important to have the mindset of "If it were me, I wouldn't bite it."

It feels like I'm doing something naughty as I wade into a river that I normally don't go into.

Oh, there's a Japanese rat snake.

Wow, it's huge! The river feels so alive.

Occasionally, kingfishers will dive in with a whoosh and come out with a fish in their beak. You can also see schools of minnows swimming around. Let's start with melon flavor. I'll tie it for you, so just give it a try. The fly is small and hard to see, so just wave it with the feeling that "it must be somewhere around there."

Wow, it doesn't fly very well, but it's still fun.

Takashi, you're doing very well for a first-timer. It's like fishing. I once got a fly that a senior had tied for me and snagged it on a tree branch, losing it without even hitting the water. Try changing the location little by little and casting while watching the current. If there's no reaction to the melon flavor, I'll try switching to a dashi fly.

please.

Try casting it in that area where the current is slow. Ah!

It just jumped. Did you eat it?

Probably. It was a shame.