Fishing for Iwana (White-Spotted Char) in the Japanese Mountains with a FishingBooker Guide for 2026 Reading Time: 5 minutes

Salmonid species are popular targets for anglers the planet over, as each offers a unique challenge and requires a diverse skill set to find success.

Richard “Tad” Murdock, one of our longtime fishing guides, set out to find every single Salmonid species around the globe. He documented his adventures in his newly released book Journey for the World’s Trout. His book begins with landing his first Trout on a fly rod and continues through his decade-long journey to find each Salmonid, experiencing the growing pains, heartbreak, and triumph that come with the sport.

The story below comes from an early stop on Tad’s journey in Japan, in search of the White-Spotted Char (Iwana in Japanese).

Arriving to the Japanese Mountains

A small waterfall flows over dark rocks into a pool perfect for Iwana fishing, with mossy stones and driftwood up front; there are trees and a concrete structure in the background.
Image courtesy of Richard “Tad” Murdock

The members of the Salmonid (Trout, Char, Salmon, and Taimen) family are some of the most sought-after sport fish in the world. They occupy the coldest and cleanest waters on the planet, from coastal estuaries to alpine lakes and streams. Because of their affinity for pristine water, the areas where they live are often the most gorgeous places on Earth.

I saw this firsthand while arriving in a small mountain village along the Kinugawa River just before sundown. The river flows through steep terrain just north of Nikko, cutting through cold, clear water that supports several Salmonid species. It was there that I was introduced to the head of fisheries management for the Tochigi Prefecture, an older gentleman who lived in the small mountain resort town nearby.

He was surprised that I had crossed an ocean in search of the fish found in his backyard, fish he cherished deeply.

First Attempt to Catch Iwana

Salmonids are native only to the Northern Hemisphere, but they have been introduced to lakes and streams far from their original range, including Patagonia in South America, New Zealand and Australia, and high-elevation rivers of southern Africa. Since the last ice age, Trout have been pushed farther and farther north and into the headwater streams they inhabit today. The most southerly species, such as the Mexican Golden Trout, the Ifni Trout of Morocco, and the Tigris Trout of Turkey, have lost large portions of their habitat and now linger on the edge of extinction.

Tad Murdock is holding a fishing net with a big Trout inside, smiling and wearing sunglasses by the water during a fishing trip in Japan.
Image courtesy of Richard “Tad” Murdock

Before we parted ways, the fisheries manager gave me a rundown of the best places to fish along the Kinugawa. He also shared a secret spot on a small tributary where he promised Char would be present. As a parting gift, he gave me two handmade fishing posters he had created. One was for a local fishing derby and the other for opening day of Trout season. I rolled the posters into my fly rod tube and headed to the hotel for the night.

While apex predators such as the Siberian Taimen, Sakhalin Taimen, and Bull Trout gain attention for growing to massive proportions by feeding on prey as large as adult salmon, many other Salmonids are much smaller fish. Species such as Marble Trout, Softmouth Trout, Gila Trout, and the White-Spotted Char are known as selective feeders. These smaller Trout do not provide the high-intensity streamer fishing common among predator species, but they are still worthy adversaries that draw anglers deep into remote waters.

The next morning, I set out to fish the secret tributary but found no luck. First, I worked the creek all the way up to a moderately sized waterfall without seeing a single fish. Then I spent the late morning and afternoon fishing along the Kinugawa itself in hopes of finding Iwana among the many other tailwater fish. I landed several Yamame, some large Rainbows, and even saw my first wild monkey. This came as a surprise, since I did not know Japan had native monkeys.

Tad Murdock in waders kneels by a rocky stream in a forested area, proudly holding a small trout.
Image courtesy of Richard “Tad” Murdock

But I found no Iwana.

Another Try, but no Char

That evening, I returned to the tributary and fished much slower. Near the top of the creek, I finally spotted a fish holding close to a light-colored pebble bottom beside an undercut rock bluff. It was not a Rainbow or a Cherry Trout, as it lacked the steel-blue hue underwater. I positioned myself just upstream of the fish beneath a waterfall. I hid behind a small boulder, and cast my Elk Hair Caddis several feet above it.

The fish rose and struck the fly. I set the hook, felt the slightest pressure, and missed.

I waited beneath the waterfall for over an hour, hoping the fish would return from its hiding place under the undercut bank, but it never did. With a flight to Tokyo scheduled for the next morning, I walked back to town defeated.

Tad Murdock stands on rocks by a forest stream, fly fishing for Iwana near a small waterfall surrounded by green trees and lush foliage.
Image courtesy of Richard “Tad” Murdock

Many anglers who pursue Salmonids learn quickly that these fish require patience and persistence. Overfishing and habitat loss have placed many species in endangered or threatened categories, even as their reputation as sport fish continues to draw anglers across the world. The challenge of finding them in remote places is part of what makes these fish so appealing.

Last Attempt to Catch Iwana

I woke the next morning at 3:30 a.m. and headed back to the tributary for one last attempt. The mountain village was quiet as I walked through its empty streets before sunrise. No other anglers were awake, and no one else seemed as determined to catch a single fish.

I worked my way upstream, fishing every pocket, seam, and riffle. Near a small waterfall, I cast into a plunge pool no more than 18 inches deep. As I began to pick up slack, my line tightened.

After a few jumps, I brought the fish to shore. The fly fell free immediately, and I guided the fish into a small puddle left in the rock behind me.

It was a White-Spotted Char.

Someone's holding a White-spotted Char (Iwana) above a rocky stream in Japan, where water's flowing and green moss covers the rocks.
Image courtesy of Richard “Tad” Murdock

After a quick photo, I released the fish and gathered my gear. I walked back to the hotel without making another cast. The village was beginning to wake, the silence slowly fading as birds started their morning routines. Before five in the morning, I had accomplished what I set out to do.

Salmonids live in fragile environments and demand respect from those who pursue them. Whether they grow to massive proportions or remain hidden in small headwater streams, these fish have a way of drawing anglers into wild places and leaving a lasting impression.

What’s your favorite Trout to catch? Have you ever gone to a different country or continent to target one? Let us know your thoughts and stories in the comments below, we always love to hear from you!

The post Fishing for Iwana (White-Spotted Char) in the Japanese Mountains with a FishingBooker Guide for 2026 appeared first on FishingBooker Blog.

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