60th Meetup, September 27-29, 2019, Kasumigaura

 
Participants: Namitsugi Cob-chan, Yasuko-san, Miwa
 
After a two-year hiatus, we held a meetup at Lake Kasumigaura. As usual, the first to arrive were Namitsugi Cob-chan and Yasuko-san, followed by Miwa in the early afternoon. The weather was perfect with a gentle breeze, and Kasumigaura welcomed us calmly, giving us a serene view we hadn't seen in a while.
 
As Miwa finished setting up and took a moment to rest, Cob-chan's sensor went off! Cob-chan and Yasuko-san, who were behind us on the path, hurriedly ran towards the rod, taking the shortest route. However, they realized there was no way to cross the last waterway and decided to make a daring jump! They stumbled forward upon landing but managed to cross safely. When they reached the rod, they noticed something strange about the way it was being pulled. It turned out to be a fine catfish bite. Yasuko-san, who had hurriedly come to inform Miwa about the catch, seemed disappointed by the encounter with the catfish.
 

 
Afterward, as the evening approached without any bites, Chef Cob-chan started the barbecue. Matsutake mushrooms and beef were the first to grace the grill, followed by various ingredients that filled our bellies one after another. Barbecues are always enjoyable, no matter how old we get! After reminiscing about previous  meetups and discussing our hopes for this one, Yasuko-san joyfully looked up at the starry night sky and spotted a constellation through binoculars. We spent a relaxed time late into the night. To wrap up the evening, we enjoyed yakisoba loaded with ingredients. Our stomachs and hearts were fully satisfied, and now we only had to wait for a big catch. The lake's surface had moderate ripples, and we could hear fish splashing here and there. We replaced one of the unnecessary transmitters with a device that allowed us to call each other in case of a bite during the night.
 

 
We welcomed the second day, blessed with clear skies. Although none of us had any bites the previous night, sipping coffee while gazing at the sparkling lake in the morning sunlight always had an exceptional taste. What a wonderful moment it was. After breakfast, we took some photos and waited for the next bite.
 
Around 7:30, Miwa's click finally echoed. I hurried to put the camera in the car and grabbed the landing net, rushing to the rod. The initial click and the subsequent gentle sway of the rod tip hinted at a Black Carp. I quickly lifted the rod to confirm its weight. Occasionally, as I reeled in, it shook its head, a sure sign of a Black Carp. Cob-chan and Yasuko-san arrived as they watched the fight.
 
Line tension was carefully maintained as I reeled in, but every time the fish approached the shore, it would quickly pull the line away. Pushing too hard here could result in a break-off, so it became a test of endurance to exhaust the stamina of the carp. The long-awaited weight of the fish made my arms numb. Before I knew it, there were a few people behind me, forming a gallery. With various pressures mounting, the carp gradually lay on its side.
 
"It's big, it's big!" We laid out two carp mats and unhooked it. Despite sweat dripping from our foreheads, we happily took commemorative photos. Photographer Yasuko-san captured a perfect shot.
 

 
After releasing the fish and watching it disappear into the water, we headed to the convenience store for shopping. As the car's air conditioning gradually cooled me down, my emotions were still running high. I bought three bottles of "Afternoon Tea" as a celebratory drink and hurried back to the fishing spot.
 
Shortly after returning, I had another bite. My left arm, which held the rod, had not fully recovered from the previous strain. It was undoubtedly a black carp, but it felt heavier than before. I couldn't tell if it was truly a giant fish or if my arm was just perceiving it that way. In any case, it was my first time facing such a situation, so I awkwardly tried to bring it closer while conserving my own stamina. In the midst of this tentative exchange, there was a regretful moment of the fish slipping away. It seemed as if it had seen through my sloppy movements and shook its head, slipping off the hook. It wasn't a lucky streak anymore. It was more of a feeling that my arm couldn't handle it anymore... I need to train more.
 

 
After that, we didn't get any more bites for the rest of the day. The Kasumigaura Lake has seen a significant decrease in carp bites for a while now, and it has become a field where catching a carp is a gamble for landing a big fish.
 
While dozing off in the car during the day, Yasuko-san brought us charcoal-grilled sweet potatoes and chilled pears. It was the first time we had such a treat at a fishing spot. Thank you for the feast.
 
On the second night, we enjoyed a hot pot meal. Cob-chan always takes on the role of the chef, saying, "It's my hobby..." He has many hobbies, and cooking seems to be one of his passions. Once again, the meal was delicious.
 
There was one carp-like bite for Miwa in the middle of the night, but it was lost during the fight. And so, we greeted the morning of the final day. I cast my rod until the time of the previous bite, but since there were no more bites, we decided to pack up at 9:30 am. In the end, I only caught one fish, but it was a reminder of the unfathomable size of the fish in Kasumigaura Lake.