I came to CA because I wanted to see and experience the lakes of California, the holy land of swimbaits, with my own eyes. I got into the car at the airport parking lot, but when it came time to leave, it took me about 20 minutes to get out of the parking lot, as my nerves peaked at the mere thought of driving on those vast American roads. LOL.
My first time in California, the scenery was exactly as I had envisioned it, and my heart was racing the moment I started driving. My first destination was Sacramento. Unlike Japan, America is a place where straight roads seem to go on forever. At first I was puzzled by the straight lines that continue for more than 200 kilometers, but in fact I was able to drive very smoothly.
The place I wanted to visit in Sacramento was the Nimbus Hatchery Visitor Center. The reason I wanted to visit this place was to see with my own eyes the environment in which the “trout” that led to the development of swimbait culture in the United States were raised and how they were released.
The first thing that surprised me when I arrived was the scale of the facility. The facility had a well-developed environment where trout, from small fry to full-grown trout, were kept separately according to their stage of growth. There were indoor panels explaining the growth process and an exhibit where we could learn about the life cycle of trout, which gave us a lot of knowledge as well.
Just as I finished our tour of the facility, I received a message. It was from Andrew-san. After meeting up with him, I was treated to a delicious sandwich.
Driving again, I headed for Clear Lake, also known as the “holy land” of bass fishing. On the way there, I was soothed by the unique California scenery of long straight lines and mountainous landscapes, but our hearts were already set on the lake.
I had seen Clear Lake many times in photos and videos. Standing there with my own feet, looking at the surface of the lake with my own eyes, feeling the wind on my skin, and confronting the fish that live there. I felt a trembling sensation in my heart when I thought of the time I was about to spend there.
What kind of encounters and experiences will this trip bring me? The answer to that question will soon be known.
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