WaSIT Water Special Interest Tours Tokyo Gakugei University

(March 19–20, 2017)Smelt Ice Fishing Experience Tour

A tour to try ice fishing at Akagi Onuma in Gunma Prefecture. With the original "Smelt Fishing Guidebook" in hand, you will learn about the ecology of smelt as well as fishing and cooking methods. Beginners are welcome!
Catch, eat, and learn!
Exploring water creatures on the ice
A two-day, one-night smelt ice fishing tour at Akagi Onuma in Gunma Prefecture. You can experience ice fishing while surrounded by nature. On the first day, we will learn about the surrounding natural environment at the Akagi Park Visitor Center and take a walk around Akagi Onuma. In the evening, the whole group participates in a study session to learn about the ecology of smelt, as well as fishing and cooking methods. On the day of the fishing experience, after a lecture, teams compete against each other to catch the best fish, and the smelt we catch are served as tempura right on the spot. Icebreaking, evening social gatherings, and hot springs are also key points of the tour. You will also receive an original "Smelt Fishing Guidebook."
Planners and Participants
Shimpei Takae (Environmental Education) / Kyosuke Soutome (Environmental Education) / Noa Maeta (Fine Arts) / Yukino Nagai (Environmental Education) / Kohei Sakurai (Environmental Education) / Ayako Tanaka (Environmental Education) / Kyoko Suzuki (Researcher)

photos

Itinerary
Day 1
8:00 Gather at Kokubunji Station
8:23 Depart Kokubunji Station
11:40 Depart Maebashi Station
12:55 Arrive at Akagi Plateau (including lunch)
13:00 Opening ceremony
Ice break@Akagi Park Visitor Center
13:30 Program 1: Walking around Akagi
Tour of the Visitor Center
Observation of ice fishing
16:00 Arrive at Boys Nature House
Orientation
19:00 Dinner
20:00 Bathing
21:00 Program 2: Ice fishing study session
Watching ice fishing DVD / Study session with the guidebook / Explanation of tomorrow's schedule
Day 2
7:00 Breakfast
8:00 Program 3: Smelt ice fishing
Purchase of fishing tickets / Equipment rental / Lecture on fishing
12:00 Lunch
13:00 Depart from the Boys Nature House
14:00 Hot spring
16:00 Closing ceremony
16:40 Depart Akagi Plateau
18:15 Depart Maebashi Station
20:40 Dismissal from Kokubunji Station
Impressions
Fish, frogs, dragonflies, loaches… There are many creatures that live near water. Some of them coexist in harmony, while others eat or are eaten. It is very interesting to see the various things each organism has devised to make its environment more comfortable for it to live in and to change its appearance. If you look carefully, you can find fish hiding in places that seem to be empty, and many creatures living quietly in the shadows of stones. There were many interesting ways to interact with these creatures, from playing hide-and-seek with them to fishing for them as food. (N.M)

Making a hole in the ice and fishing is something that reminds us of winter, and we have a chance to see it in the media, but there are probably not many people who have actually experienced it. I am so grateful to have had this precious opportunity to participate in WaSIT and to have been able to create this learning experience with my wonderful colleagues. (S.T)