RYUKI RACING

A very happy new year, 2013. To kick start this year, one of our favourite lures is going to be the star feature for this article; the DUO RYUKI SPEAHERHEAD 50S. 

Designed to be a trout lure, the Ryuki 50s is the perfect size for stream fishing. While it may originally be intended to target trouts, our own tropical mountain jungle perch lives in almost the same kind of habitat as their overseas piscatorial cousins, making the Ryuki perfect for targetting them.

Back in our backyard, this mountain fed stream is certainly one of the most refreshing and relaxing fishing experience one can have. The early morning temperature was cool and the water clarity was perfect. After a few days of rain with a little dry break in between, the water was neither too clear, nor was it too murky, a vital factor as the fishes here have grown smart and wary of lures.

Nary a few cast in, and we hit a nice little 3 stripe Jungle Perch, the commonest JP in this part of the stream. At 4.5gm, the Ryuki casts like a bullet on the Majorcraft Trapara ultralight rod, also designed to be a troutin' tool.

Here's another fatty on a bright gold/green back Ryuki. 

It was almost a cast a fish as this 3 Striper hit hard when the Ryuki swam pass a large boulder.

Even the little ones weren't scared at taking a nip at the Ryuki. 

The 3 stripe JP, or Juak as it's known locally, displays a magnificent golden hue with 3 clearly marked stripes running down the sides. While not big, it is justifiable for a river of this size. 

More gutsy dinkers chasing down the Ryuki until my feet for that big bite. Water conditions really make a difference, as they are more readily committed to hitting lures. Too clear and the fishes will only follow the lures before making that heartbreaking turn around. 

This fish hit pretty hard and was quite a handful to bring up as it kept getting stuck around boulders and branches. One of the main "hangout" place for the JPs are the rapids, where the fish can stay virtually still in fast flowing waters waiting to ambush any passing baitfish. What makes the Ryuki such a perfect tool for this water condition is the fact that it can maintain its swimming posture perfectly and not skew or tumble around in the fast flowing stream. 

When twitched rapidly, the Ryuki displays its famous flat sided flash which is irresistible to fishes like this little dinker here. 

Even the beautifully patterned Forest Snakehead, also a common catch here, couldn't resist the Ryuki as it passed by it's lair. 

Open fire cooking of the Snakehead. Proved to be good eating. 

 Note the opened and crushed hook points, testament of the mighty jaws of this relatively small fish. While the stock hooks are virtually useless and have been changed to Owner ST41s, the JPs big first hit and run still manages to open some of the trebles points. Luckily none was lost.

The Ryuki Spearhead 50s. Cast a mile, swims steady, and is plenty flashy...no wonder it's our favourite.