From River Runs Through Japan: In rural areas of Japan, organizations that protect the fishery resources of rivers and conserve the environment are aging, and the continuation of their activities is in doubt. Kensaku Urakami, who was born and raised in Kamikawa town, Hyogo, works with volunteer anglers to protect the Ichikawa River that flows through his hometown. His activities are now successful, and he has the support of many fly fishermen all over Japan.
Fishery cooperatives in various regions that manage river resources and the environment are shrinking their activities year by year due to the aging of their members, and there are concerns that they may disappear in the future. In the Ichikawa River, which flows through Kamikawa town, Hyogo Prefecture, a new initiative is underway to replace such fishery cooperatives, with anglers creating fishing spots and conserving the environment.
Kensaku Urakami, who heads the Hyogo Trout Foundation, is advocating for the importance of coexisting with nature in rural areas through creating fishing spots and conserving the environment of the Ichikawa River, which he has been familiar with since childhood. The “Trout River Ichikawa Kamikawa C&R Area” is supported by many fly fishermen, and many people visit to enjoy trout fishing and connecting with nature. What Mr. Urakami envisions as “revitalizing his hometown” may be that people will once again take an interest in the nature around them, and something will be brought about by interacting with it in a cyclical way. ・Hyogo Trout Foundation HP = https://www.npohtf.com
