The following photos were shot with the Sigma 70mm lens. Click any image to magnify a  very tiny Micro Cricket pattern tied on the #18 Hanak 390 BL I have a lot of fly customers who fish for trout and char in Japan. Because I used to live in Southeast Asia with my family, I am particularly familiar with the Hokkaido region, where the Tokachi River watershed includes the Ashoro River and the Rawan River. Both hold powerful and wild rainbow trout. These are often difficult rainbows and have a reputation for being quite particular and weary.  Today I received a request from T. Takizaki for a few dozen micro crickets to fish the Akan River. Mr. Takizaki has a second home just north of Hokkaido and owns a few of my cane rods; we often write to each other via email and snail mail about our latest fish-hunting adventures. He made a specific request that I tie a dozen of my micro crickets up with #18 Hanak 390 hooks, using silver wire instead of red. Also asking me to use Tiemc...