千曲川だからこそ:つけば小屋　Because it’s the Chikuma River: Tsukeba Fish Shack

川魚が好きな人にたまらない：　つけば。

つけば小屋は千曲川のこの辺の独特の文化。上流は佐久市辺りから、下流は松代周辺まで点々としている。元々は川の真ん中に丸石を山にして、はやが卵を産みに来て、綱で採る、魚が「つけ」てくる「ば」しょ。今ははや釣りはそのまま、解禁後は鮎の友釣りの道具やえさの販売、そしてつけ場によって魚料理を提供するレストランともなっている。

先日は東京からのテレビクルーとスイスから来たお客さんと4人で正村つけばに行きました。川沿いの小屋で、川の流れを見ながら川魚のコースを食べて、別な世界です。皆さんが大喜び。

これからの時期ははやから鮎に切れ変えます。正村つけばは7月末まで続く予定です。2500円と3000円の２コースから選ばれます。

正村　090-5209-6590　平林さん

For fans of river fish, nothing can beat Tsukeba.

Tsukeba fish shacks are unique to our area. They dot the Chikuma River from as far upstream as Saku, and downstream as far as Matsushiro. Traditionally, 'tsukeba' describes a place ('ba'), actually a rocky mound in the river, where a river fish called 'haya' comes ('tsuke') to nest. They are caught by a net and typically skewered and grilled over a flame. Tsukeba have evolved to also include bait and other services for people fishing for 'ayu' sweetfish later in the season, and some Tsukeba also operate as restaurants where guests can enjoy a multiple-course meal featuring river fish prepared in various ways.

I recently went to Shomura Tsukeba here along the banks of the Chikuma River in front of our onsen town Togura-Kamiyamada. The cuisine was excellent -- you can't get any more 'local' or 'seasonal' than river fish -- and the setting there along the river took us to a different dimension. Enjoying the haya and ayu delicacies while watching the river steadily flow by and feeling the breeze on your face is something you can only experience here along the Chikuma River and now, during the haya and ayu season.

Shomura Tsukeba offers two courses, 2,500 yen and 3,000 yen. They will soon be transitioning from haya to ayu, and plan on running through the end of July.

Shomura Tsukeba. Tel# 090-5209-6590　Hirabayashi-san. Or feel free to call us here at Kamesei Ryokan 026-275-1032,　to make a reservation.