8月11,12,13日の3連休は、台風7号の影響が懸念されましたが、ノロノロと進んでくれたおかげで直前に晴れの予報に変わり、急遽、管理釣り場に行くことにしました。

ちなみに元々は雨が降ると思っていたので、「ゆっくりと作ります」、と言っていた雷魚/ビッグベイト用のベイトロッドの材料を急遽揃えて、この3連休で一気に作ってしまおうと考えていましたが、晴れるならば釣りが優先ということで、材料は手元に揃いながらも、そっちはペンディング。

11日、向かったのはジョイバレー。1この異常な暑さと電気系統のトラブルのため休業中で、11日からサードポンドでのみ営業を再開したところでした。

上記のようにコンディションが微妙で、かつ狭いサードポンドのみの営業ということで、人が多かったら釣る場所がなくなるかも、、、と一抹の不安を抱えつつ、それでも朝6時の営業に間に合うほど朝早くから出るわけでもなく、8時半頃着のゆっくりペースで行きました。

着いて受付を済ませ、いざサードポンドに行くと5名だけ。とりあえず人が一杯で釣りにならないという最悪な事態は免れました。

早速、新しく作った渓流用ロッドのテスト開始。

まずは投げ心地。

5ft以下のロッドは初で、しかも相当柔らかく、キャストのタイミングの美味しいところが見つけづらかったですが、一旦見つけると、5ft7inchiのチタンティップのロッドと変わらない飛距離がでて、しばしば対岸まで到達するほど飛んで良い感じ。

一方、初めてのウッドグリップ＋コルク＋非エルゴノミクスのストレートグリップはちょっと違和感を感じました。特にストレートグリップなところが、太い棒を握っている感じが強く、小指のグリップを使って、手首のスナップを効かせて投げる際に、今ひとつ振れてない感じがしました。多分慣れれば何も感じなくなりますが。

そして、個人的にお気に入りポイントのスレッドカラー。マラカイトはグリーンと思いきや、竿を立てて下から見ると青色にも見えることに気付き、ますますお気に入りに。

安定のカラシ色のスプーンを付け、しばらく投げるとHit。

25 cmほどのニジマス。不安視していたロッドのパワー不足はこのぐらいのサイズならば全く問題なし。綺麗にベンディングしながら良い感じにいなしてくれました。少なくとも渓流釣りで釣れるサイズでは全く問題ないことがわかり一安心。

そしてこの日は、６月に初めて来た時よりもコンディションよし。ルアーがハマれば、ヒットが連発。この日は、カラシ色と白色のスプーンが良く当たりました。

そして、前回の釣行では持っていなかったクランクベイトを試すと、これまた反応よし。おそらく周りが皆スプーンを使っているからなのか、クランクに変えた途端に連発。

流石にしばらくすると釣れなくなりますが、その度に、スプーンのカラシ、白色、クランクの順でローテーションすると、長時間途切れることなくヒットが続き、非常に満足できる釣行でした。

最終的に4時間の釣りで、30匹ほど釣り上げ、ランディング時に15匹はバラし（＝オートリリースしたと自己解決。。。)。家にも一部持って帰り、我が家の貴重なタンパク質源とすることにしました。

思ったよりも感度が高いと言う印象。クランクの動きはもちろん、スプーンの動きもハッキリと振動として伝わって来ました。チタンティップのアジングロッドと比べると、グリップの太さ、素材の違いによるものなのか、アジングロッドではカン！と金属的な響きだったものがトン！っというようなマイルドな響きに。ただ、必要十分。

唯一、問題だなと思ったのが、4時間で2回もキャスト時に3ピースのティップブランクが引っこ抜けて飛んでいったこと。。。。細いフェルールが折れそうで、ギュッと捻って固定せずに使っていたのが原因だと思いますが、フェルールの精度の問題もありそうで、以降、同じ様に抜けが続くようだったら、またフェルールのかさ増し＆切削をやったほうが良いかもしれません。

そして購入したJINS偏光グラスもこの日が初テスト。時々、偏光レンズを外して見え方の違いを確認しながら釣りをしましたが、確かに見えない魚が見えるようになる。ずっと最初から着けていると、ありがたみが感じられないですが（笑）、確かにちゃんと機能していることがわかりこれまた大満足でした。

During the 3-day weekend of August 11th, 12th, and 13th, there were concerns about the impact of Typhoon 7. However, thanks to its slow progress, the forecast changed to clear weather just before the weekend. So, I decided to go to a managed fishing pond at the last moment.

By the way, I originally thought it would rain, so I gather all the materials to make the baitcasting rod, which I had said I would "take my time" on making it and I intended to use the 3-day weekend to complete it all at once. However, since the weather was going to be clear, fishing took priority. While I had the materials ready, I put the rod-building project on hold.

On the 11th, I headed to Joy Valley. Due to the unusual heat and electrical system troubles, the place was closed. It had just reopened for business only at the Third Pond starting from the 11th.

Given the delicate conditions as mentioned above and the fact that only the Third Pond was open for fishing, I was a bit worried that if there were too many people, there might not be any fishing spots left. Despite these concerns, I didn't rush to go early enough to make it for the 6 AM opening. I arrived around 8:30 AM at a relaxed pace.

After checking in, I went to the Third Pond, and there were only 5 people. At least I avoided the worst-case scenario of overcrowding.

I immediately began testing the new rod I had made for stream fishing. First, I tested its casting feel.

It was my first time using a rod under 5 feet, and it was quite soft. It was a bit challenging to find the sweet spot for casting timing, but once I found it, the casting distance was similar to that of a 5ft 7in rod with a titanium tip, and the lures were flying well, often reaching the opposite bank.

On the other hand, the custom rod I made for myself with a wooden grip, cork, and non-ergonomic straight grip felt a bit awkward. Especially the straight grip felt like holding a thick stick, and when I used my pinky grip to snap my wrist during casting, it didn't feel quite stable. Maybe I'll get used to it over time.

Then, there's the thread color I personally like. Malachite appears green, but when I looked at the rod from below, I notice it has a color of blue as well. This made it even more appealing for me.

I attached a reliable mustard-colored spoon and after a few casts, I got a hit.

A rainbow trout about 25 cm long. The power deficiency I was worried about with the rod was not an issue with a size like this. It bent nicely and fought well, showing good bending action. At least for sizes that are catchable in stream fishing, it was clear that there was no problem, and I felt relieved.

And on this day, the conditions were better than when I first came in June. If the lure matched, I would get consecutive hits. On this day, the mustard and white spoons were working well.

Moreover, when I tried a crankbait that I didn't have last time, it also had good results. Perhaps it was because everyone around was using spoons, but as soon as I switched to a crankbait, the hits kept coming.

After a while, the bites became less frequent, but each time I rotated between the mustard spoon, white spoon, and crankbait, the hits continued without a significant interruption. It was a very satisfying fishing trip.

In the end, in about 4 hours of fishing, I caught about 30 fish, and while landing, I lost about 15 fish (meaning they released themselves...). I took some fish home as a valuable source of protein for our household.

In terms of sensitivity, I found the rod to be more sensitive than I thought. The movement of the crankbait, as well as the motion of the spoon, were transmitted clearly as vibrations. Comparing it to the titanium-tipped Ajing rod, the difference in grip thickness and material seemed to be the reason for the change from a metallic "clang" to a more gentle sound. Nonetheless, it was just right.

The only issue I encountered was that the three-piece tip blank came loose and flew off during casting twice in 4 hours. This might be because I didn't secure the thin ferrules tightly enough, and the accuracy of the ferrules might also be an issue. If the problem continues, it might be better to readjust the thickness of the ferrules.

Also, the JINS polarized glasses I purchased were tested for the first time on this day. Occasionally, I took off the polarized lenses to compare the difference in visibility while fishing. Indeed, it allowed me to see fish that I couldn't see otherwise. While I didn't feel the value when wearing them constantly from the beginning, it was clear that they were functioning properly, and I was very satisfied with them.

渓流用ロッドの使用感/Impression on the mountain river rod