Kuma Eging & Fishing: Day 3 Japan Trip

I write this blog with a thumping head this morning, I decided not to attempt blog entry after much Whiskey last night.

My last view of Kobe

I was awoken by thunder storms in Kobe on day 3 but when I looked out the window it made the are I was staying in spectacular, sadly I did not get any photo's but as the clouds filtered through the green mountain side it was just like a Japanese postcard scene, very beautiful. I checked out of the ANA Crowne Plaza in Kobe and waited for Mr Kitagawa to collect me, as I was leaving Kobe and heading to Wakayama to meet with Gan Craft at their office.

Gan Craft Project car

After a short 3 hour drive we arrive in Tanabe in Wakayama where Mr Kake (Kotaro) met us at the office door, it was good to see him again, we have spent much time together during their recent trips to Australia. Before I went inside I had to take some photo's of the Gan Craft prject car that was parked in the car park. It is a Poniac Trans Am that has been wrapped with anime graphics, these graphics feature in a cartoon by Mr Kake and also a limited edition Jointed Claw. When I saw the car I just had to get a few pics as my Step Daughter Maddison is crazy for Anime. I am sure she would like me to wrap my car like this also.

local tackle store Gan Craft egi wall

We went into the office where I found Mr Nakahira and more staff from the office after a breif chat we went for lunch at a local Tonkatsu place, its pretty much a deep fried heaven, mainly tempura, but I chose a 300g chunk of panko coated piece of pork. It was amazing, this place was another shoes off affair and very traditional in its layout. It was a very enjoyable feed. From here we ventured to a local tackle store to have a look at a different area to see how the tackle varied from location to location, the wall of Gan Craft egi was massive, every color in the rainbow and then some, I had my arm twisted (yeah right) and bought myself a Stella 2500S and an Ocea Jigger NRHG2000 along with a few other bits and pieces. We had to return to the office so Mr Kitagawa and his superior could have some business meetings with Gan Craft staff. In the office at Gan Craft the main area was like a kids paradise with toys everywhere and a massive TV and lounge suit located at the end, while they were discussing business I was able to watch the latest epsode of Gans Gang ep 26. the latest installment of a TV series from Gan Craft mainly about Bass in Japan. Mr Hiraiwa and Mr Iwatchi were not at the office as they were away doing some media work for the new range of rods soon to be seen in Australia.

Chinu fre eswimming

After the meetings concluded It was decided that we head to a local drain to try and catch a Chinu, Chinu or other wise known as Kuradai are the local species of Bream, now at this point I have to say any one who believes that Japan does not have a healthy fishery is very mislead, upon arrival I could see Chinu in their hundreds free swimming in the drain, this is not a mangrove laden estuary or a structure filled system, it is a drain type of creek made of concrete, I could not believe how many fish there were, that said these fish get a lot of angling pressure so they are smarter than the average Bream back home, over and over these fish just looked at the lures and turned their heads as if to laugh at my offerings. It did not take too long before I hooked up to a cracking fish a bit over 40cm, because this was an unplanned

The Drain

trip we did not have a net and from fishing about 3 meters up a wall this was going to be a challenge, Mr Nakahira took the leader and aon a count of three lifted the Chinu up the wall. I was wrapped a stonking Chinu as my first fish in Japan, we got a few pics and a quick release before I quickly cast again, it had taken over 50 casts to hook up to the first one but the very next cast bang I was on again, this one was bigger then the last and much heavier so after a short fight Mr Nakahira again tried to lift the fish up the wall but sadly this time the jig head came out. This did not worry me too much as I had already landed one and was wrapped that I did. With Mr Kitagawa and his boss needing to return to Kobe we finished up with the fishing and returned to the office. I can not Thank Mr Kitagawa enough for his assistance while I was in Kobe, he was a brilliant host and I enjoyed my stay very much because of the help he gave me during my stay, he is a very fiend to me both here and when they visit Australia, Thanks Yuki.

The results of the drain

The Horse

Now I headed to my Hotel in Tanabe, staying at the Hanayo Garden Hotel I went for a very quick shower as he was coming back to pick me up in 20 minutes for dinner, we went into Tanabe which in comparison to Kobe was a very small village the streets were very narrow and filled with heaps of small bars and restaurants, traditional stalls cooking octopus balls were everywhere but we went to a more traditional style eating house, it was small and had very good atmosphere, I did have to use a few muscles I had not used since school by crossing my legs to fit under the low table on the bamboo floor, I am not sure of much of the food that was on the table but I very much enjoyed the JFC, beef and this might sound odd but I really enjoyed the Horse, yes the Horse. That said I would probably liked it more if it was cooked. We finished eating and went to a secret hidden whiskey bar call Gucci, looking at it from outside you would never have guessed that it was a bar, it was a tiny room that only seated 8 and it had the biggest collection of single malt Scotch, Irish and American whiskey I had every seen. Apparently this is quite common for this area and there are many bars secretly

Kotaro rocking out on the mic

hidden away in the narrow streets of this village. I had a few Whiskey's with Kotaro and Imazu ( I Think that is correct spelling, not sure but that's another story) and then I knew I was in for a hangover when they suggested we go to a Karaoke bar called Cherry Snack. This place was a lot of fun and although I did not take the microphone the atmosphere was great. The drinks just kept getting topped up as the night progressed I noticed the door of the small karaoke bar open and in walked Mr Hiraiwa and Mr 'Make some noise' Yoshida. I had not met Mr Yoshida before but had seen him on many internet clips, he is a Bass Pro Staff for Gan Craft and an amazing angler when you watch his clips. I was very happy to see them both and it was not because I was half cut but because I have much respect for both of them and their angling talents. Mr Hiraiwa is the founder of Gan Craft and a very nice bloke.

I dont know what happened with much of the rest of the night but I am sure I enjoyed it very much.

Some random pics: