Ibaraki Squid Fishing

Headed out on the Yutaka-maru, sailing from Nakaminato, Ibaraki, for another good day’s fishing.

Another

great day out on the Yutaka-maru.

Nakaminato Hirame Fishing Trip

I made the trip to Nakaminato, Ibaraki Prefecture, to go offshore fishing with gentleman skipper Captain Yutaka, this time hoping to snag some hirame (bastard halibut).  Click through for the full story.

Eating Sri Lanka (2)

Sri Lankan cuisine became one of my favourite foods ever since first visiting in 2007; I ate very well this time round too.

On a Hot Day in Colombo

Negombo, Sri Lanka

One of my favourite places in the world: the port town of Negombo in west Sri Lanka.  It is also a tourist spot with travellers often starting or ending their trip to Sri Lanka here as the international airport is close by.  There is a nice sand beach opening out onto the Indian Ocean and to the south of the town, the Negombo lagoon with mangrove swamps lining its southern shore.

The people of Negombo are intimately connected with the sea: the town’s largest industry is commercial fishing, ahead of even tourism, and Dutch fluyts and Portuguese caravels left their mark long before the British arrived, both physically – there is a Dutch-built fort overlooking the harbour and a Dutch-cut canal long enough to take you to the next town – and spiritually, with the town being home to a very large Roman Catholic community. Many, many locals will answer to  names such as Joseph or Jude and Negombo is often referred to as ‘Little Rome.’  At almost every street corner there is a roadside Catholic shrine, this particular one devoted to a somewhat nautical Virgin Mary, keeping a watchful eye on those at sea.

In the Dambulla rain

The Lord Buddha is watching you; at the Golden Temple.

Back from Serendib

Back from Gunma/Nagano

sorry for not replying to recent comments but work has taken me away from home for the last few days.  That is not to say I did not have a chance to wet a line, but despite some very promising looking points I think it is too late in the year and the water is too low and clear; I didn’t get a single hit on this river during a morning’s fishing.

Matsushima Bay Fishing Trip

Well I finally had the chance to take some summer holiday so I headed north to scenic Matsushima Bay, the famous goby, flatfish and conger eel fishery in Miyagi Prefecture.  This time I would be travelling with my rod making teacher, with whom I had been discussing making such a trip since last year.