下森 雅文 Masafumi Shimomori
Director of REDBAND ARTWORKS, Trout Fishing Photographer and Guide
Bio
Masafumi Shimomori was born in Hokkaido, Japan in 1982. Since childhood he has played outdoors and in the mountains, and when he was 11 started fly-fishing. During his college years, friends and books he read inspired him to travel abroad and he became hooked on the backpacking lifestyle. He continued to meet many folks in the fly-fishing world and became devoted to the sport. Through numerous fishing trips to fields in the Kanto area and Hokkaido, he deepened his fly-fishing knowledge and skills. After graduating from college he started working for a company in Tokyo. He worked there for about three years but left after realizing that he belonged in his hometown of Hokkaido with its abundant nature. He then worked as a public servant in the Tokachi region of Hokkaido from January 2011 to March 2021. During that time spent much of his time off fly-fishing, mainly in the East Hokkaido area. He then launched REDBAND ARTWORKS and has worked as a guide since April 2021.
Message
As I write this in May 2023, it has been exactly three years since I started my current guiding job. To be honest, I am still learning new things every day and am growing as a guide. Despite being still somewhat new to guiding, I hope that I can contribute to enriching my clients’ fishing trips by drawing on all of my experience and knowledge of the fields I have been visiting for more than 10 years. I have guided a wide range of clients, from beginners who are experiencing mountain stream fishing for the first time in their lives to veterans with several decades of fly-fishing experience, as well as overseas visitors. For beginners who do not have fishing gear, we can provide gear rental, including fly fishing tackle, tenkara rods, and waders. I look forward to fishing with you soon!
Guide Q&A
Q: What is your most memorable experience in nature?
The torrential rains in Hokkaido in August 2016 caused tremendous damage, including to my area. Through this disaster, I am reminded of the powerlessness of human beings in the face of nature's fury. At the same time, I am always impressed every time the seasons change by the vitality of the salmon, trout, and other creatures that have maintained their lives despite such enormous damage.
Q: What does nature represent to you?
A great entity that is constantly changing and offering all kinds of learning and awareness. And the best place to work.
Q: What has nature taught you?
The natural world is a continuous process of change. There is no such thing as all things remaining constant, not even for a moment.
Q: What do you hope that people will get out of experiences with you as a guide?
The value and potential of the entire land of Hokkaido.