A Number of Firsts - Kiyotaki, Micro Fishing and a Blue Fly

by Bob H
(New Jersey)

Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to get about 4 hours of fishing in at one of my favorite streams. This particular river has a large amount of overhanging trees which always makes casting somewhat of a challenge.

I started with my Daiwa Kiyose 30SF rod with 10’ of level line. After a few casts of fighting the trees overhead, I realized the Kiyose 30SF was too long and a shorter rod was in order. So I rigged up my new Shimotsuke Kiyotaki 21 with 7’ of level line which worked perfectly. First cast and I landed a beautiful redbreast sunfish which produced a nice bend in the rod plus a good fight.

I really enjoyed fishing with this rod. The Kiyotaki 21 met all my expectations. On a few occasions I did understand Chris’s comment regarding how a foot more rod would have been nice. I did the next best thing. Added a foot more level line. Problem solved.

I did make an attempt at micro fishing. I rigged up the tackle using the micro fishing kit I purchased from Chris. Unfortunately, after a half dozen casts, my line got totally tangled up which looked like a birds nest (bait casting days remembered!). Definitely a result of “user error” and not due to equipment failure. Fortunately, later that evening I did manage to untangle the mess which took me about an hour to accomplish. I’m ready to go at it another day.

Finally, I caught 3 bluegill on a blue killer bug tied with the blue yarn provided by Chris, These were my first fish caught using a blue yarn fly.

13 fish in all were caught on the Kiyotaki 21 and I can honestly say, it was a very enjoyable experience. The majority of fish were caught on a size #12 Sakasa Kebari tied using the blue #7 Owner hooks purchased from Chris.

“The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten” - Benjamin Franklin

"Be sure in casting, that your fly fall first into the water, for if the line fall first, it scares or frightens the fish..." -
Col. Robert Venables 1662

As age slows my pace, I will become more like the heron.