On this day, Mr. Kodama came to Motosu Lake, one of the five lakes on Mt. The air was clear and we could clearly see the majestic Mt. Fuji. It was supposed to be a perfect day for fishing, but unfortunately, strong winds kept blowing and the conditions were not at their best. Mr. Kodama, dressed in a Columbia jacket, went around the lake to check out the points of interest.

I started fishing when I was in elementary school in rural Miyazaki. My father fished for ayu (sweetfish), and he told me to catch black bass that would eat the ayu (a sweetfish) (laughs). I have been bass fishing ever since. After I moved to Tokyo, I took a break from fishing for a while, but in the past few years, my passion for fishing has come back, and when I find time, I go on fishing expeditions to the lakes around Mt.

Kodama quickly set a point of interest, "That rocky area looks good. The wind was as strong as ever, so we put our hoods over our hats to protect us from the wind.

I need an outdoor jacket like this for camping and fishing. Especially near water, the wind often blows strongly. This jacket from Columbia is lightweight and easy to move in while providing good wind protection. Moreover, it is waterproof and breathable, making it ideal for fishing. I also like the stylish camouflage pattern, which I can wear around town.

Once the point is set, it is time to prepare for fishing. We set up a tarp and bring in a tackle box full of rods and lures.

I still use the rod I bought with my New Year's gift when I was in elementary school. My favorite way to fish is topwater fishing for bass near the surface of the water. The best part is being able to see the moment a bass hits the water.

Kodama set up three rods with different types of lures and put all the necessary gear in a sakosh, and he was ready to go.

With three rods and a tackle box in hand, we head for the first rocky spot we have our eyes on. The foothold is steep with lava all around, but my mountain boots provide good support for my feet.

He said, "Even though the ground is so stony, I don't feel insecure at all when I wear these boots. My feet are held firmly in place, so I feel rather secure. In addition, they are waterproof and breathable, so I don't have to worry about walking on the water. They are the perfect pair for fishing."

We stand on a rocky shore just short of the water's edge and cast the lure as far as possible. Because of the wind, I chose a heavier lure for the day. As expected of a fisherman with about 20 years of fishing experience, he casts the lure precisely to the target point. I compactly pack my spare lures, scissors, and other necessary tools in a sakosh. The mesh pocket is easy to see what is inside, so it is convenient for storing items that are frequently taken in and out.

The weather made it difficult to get a hit, so we moved on to the next point. We repeatedly cast while changing rods and lures.

When I was a kid, I would spend hours on my bicycle, relying on a map to find wild ponds and explore new fishing spots. What I do these days hasn't changed much (laughs). Of course it's fun when you catch a fish, but even if you don't, just going into the fields and mountains like that is fun enough.

He continued casting, but caught no fish that day. Still, Mr. Kodama seemed satisfied.

When we go camping together, I get up in the dark and go fishing. I feel very contented when I am fishing alone, looking at the beautiful sky at dawn or dusk.

After a day of fishing, it's time to relax. Set up your own furniture around the tarp to create a comfortable space.

"I handmade the folding tables and shelves that I thought would be useful for camping. It is commonplace for people to make things they don't have themselves. I would like to give shape to the things I wish I had and offer them to customers as well.

The next item is a garland of my own making. It is lined with leather and wood charms in the shape of birds and flags. When these are hung around the entrance to the tarp, it gives the base a bright and fun look!

After setting up is complete, we take a coffee break. Sitting on a round chair of my own making, I savor my coffee slowly while looking out over the lake.

I have no specific training as a woodworker. I had a job dismantling furniture at a recycle store, so I had a vague understanding of furniture structure, but I was basically self-taught. I learned how to work by actually making things."

Kodama began making picture frames when he was working at a recycle store. He started by making frames from scrap wood because it seemed easy to make.

When I actually made it, it was much deeper than I thought it would be. I make them while thinking about how they will go together with the photographs and artwork that will be placed inside.

On this day, he takes his own pictures to put in a frame of his own making. I actually carry the frame with me and try to frame the scenery that looks good, as the name implies.

The picture frame is made of natural wood, so I'm sure the natural scenery will fit."

The vest from Columbia was very useful during the photo shoot. It has a total of 12 pockets and can hold a sub-camera, sunglasses, and many other personal items.

I have to move my hands a lot because of my job, and wearing multiple layers of clothing makes it difficult to move around. In this respect, the vest has no sleeves, does not interfere with movement, and has a high storage capacity. It can be worn outside of outerwear or tucked inside. A vest is the most useful item for me.

After a quick photo shoot, Kodama returned to the base camp to talk over another cup of coffee.

Since we are making products using wood, a natural material, I think we need to know more about nature. Fishing, photographing trees in the mountains, and picking up driftwood that has fallen by the water's edge are all ways to input the various textures of nature into my mind. I would like to feed that back into my manufacturing process."

Columbia's items are designed to enhance your outdoor activities such as fishing and photography. Why not incorporate these items into your outfits for the coming season, which not only demonstrate reliable functionality in the outdoors, but also promise comfort in town use?