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A close relative of the sticklebacks, the ayu is actually the only one of its kind. Plecoglossus altivelis belongs to the ayu family, of which this single specimen is a member. Unfortunately, ayu are not found on the Putorana Plateau fishing tours, but they do offer the chance to fish for noble salmon, ranging from lenok, whitefish, and brown trout to the taimen, the master of Siberian rivers.
What is ayu fish?
Found in Asian waters (Japan, Vietnam, China, and Hong Kong), aiyu is extremely popular both commercially and in cooking. The aiyu's flesh has a sweet flavor, reminiscent of a combination of melon and cucumber, making it an excellent, delicious delicacy.
Aiyu cooked on a spit is especially popular among Japanese gourmets. Chefs skewer it in a wavy pattern. This fish delicacy looks quite appealing, and its sweet flavor is unforgettable.
The lifespan of these fish is short, typically one year. Because of this, Asian fish often refer to them as "yearling fish." However, sometimes they live up to three years. The average size of the ayu is believed to be between 15 and 30 cm, although experienced fishermen claim to have caught fish up to 70 cm long.
Like the common taimen, these individuals are critically endangered. This applies to one of the ayu subspecies, of which there are three:
- Sunfish;
- Chinese;
- Ryukyuk ayu, it is this subspecies that is under threat.
In East Asia, ayu are caught in several ways. One is by fishing with sea cormorants, which is extremely popular among tourists. These fish can be caught using a fly or by baiting a single ayu on a hook. The baited fish provokes the ayu by behaving erratically, causing them to attack.
Aiyu are caught commercially or on fishing trips similar to taimen fishing on the Putorana Plateau, i.e., by sport rules (catch and release). Like many species of the aquatic world, this predatory species inhabits saltwater seas, but spawns only in freshwater bodies.
What does ayu fish look like?
Schooling individuals look like this:
- The body is torpedo-shaped and covered with small scales.
- The dorsal fin is located above the ventral fin, and the anal fin has many rays, about 15 pieces.
- The individual's mouth is large. Its jaws and tongue are lined with numerous, sharp, mobile teeth.
- The ayu fish has a very vibrant coloration. Its back is greenish-yellow with a white belly and bright yellow fins. The lower jaw is greenish.
- It is easy to recognize the smelt's relative by the yellow or orange spot located behind the gill cover.
This fish is especially interesting when fished with cormorants. This method came to Asia long ago. Hunting ayu with seabirds began as early as the 6th and 7th centuries, primarily as a trade for the poor and peasants. Today, this type of night fishing is very popular, attracting tourists from all over the world.
Conclusion
As with trophy tours through the protected taiga of the Putorana Plateau, fishing can be combined with hunting. This is true when fishermen use sea cormorants instead of fishing gear. This sweet, yearling fish is in high demand for delicacies. Aiyu can be cooked right on the shore. It can be fried in a sharaban (a fish trout) or on a spit, or simply dried.
Fishing for smelt relatives yields excellent catches. Schooling fish can be caught in large numbers, and with the help of cormorants, each bird can bring in around five or six fish at a time.
