Smelt Fishing

My father heads out just past 4 a.m. in the middle of winter. I often wonder if he doesn't feel lonely driving alone through the dark, eerie mountain passes at such an hour.

The place my father heads to is Lake Hibara. Smelt fishing is his winter hobby.

Lake Hibara, located in Urabandai, Fukushima Prefecture, is one of the premier smelt fishing spots in Japan.

Situated at an altitude of about 800 meters, Lake Hibara has exceptionally clear, cold water. The smelt caught there are famous nationwide for being delicious, with no muddy aftertaste in their organs and firm, high-quality flesh.

My father casts his line for eight hours from a dome boat. He even makes his own fishing rigs by hand. He doesn't use fish finders or expensive equipment at all. It is a battle of wits between the smelt and my father.

"It wasn't a good day today. But even if I don't catch anything, it's still fishing," my father says with a smile.

My father is also the one who deep-fries the smelt. The freshly fried, crispy smelt are so tender that even the bones are soft—they are simply delicious.

Today is my father's 76th birthday. I hope he continues to enjoy his hobby while staying healthy and being careful when driving.