Ame-masu(White-spotted char)
or called simply “Iwana” by the locals, the most popular trout in the rivers of Hokkaido. The landlocked is max.40cm. The sea run becomes 70cm.
Yamame(The male of Masu salmon remains in river)
has a unique life style. The eggs hatch in the upstream, then almost all females go down to sea and grow up to 50-60cm, males remain in river waiting females’ coming back to spawn.
The males are called, Yamame or Yamabe(Hokkaido local pronunciation) “Mountain lady fish” in Japanese, despite they are males. They are 20-25cm atmost but fascinate many anglers by their preciousness, that is remarkable agility and beautiful shape.
Masu salmon living only around Japan has been decreasing, due to the severe influence brought by the “betterment” of rivers in Hokkaido. Most of fishermen and anglers know “Dam is Muda(useless, actually worse, harmful)”. Yes, Yamame is the icon which they pray to.
ATTENTION Please note that catching Masu-salmon returned from the sea is prohibited in all rivers.
(Photo by Sherpa G)
Niji-masu(Rainbow trout)
were imported for cultivation originally, nowadays has been popular in many rivers. They become big and fat, So the main fish for a big game.
