St. Croix Bassmaster Opens

RV living with Shin Fukae

For Opens angler Shin Fukae and his wife Miyu, home is wherever this Toyota Tundra, Ranger Boat and 40-foot Tiffin Phaeton are parked.

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Meet Shin and Miyu Fukae, two happy campers originally from Osaka, Japan. They call America home since moving here 12 years ago. The sign is Miyu’s favorite because it means the truth.
Meet Shin and Miyu Fukae, two happy campers originally from Osaka, Japan. They call America home since moving here 12 years ago. The sign is Miyu’s favorite because it means the truth.
Home is wherever this Toyota Tundra, Ranger boat and 40-foot Tiffin Phaeton are parked. This week it’s Oneida Shores Park near Syracuse, N.Y. The couple first stayed here 10 years ago and slept in their camper before upgrading to this RV.
Home is wherever this Toyota Tundra, Ranger boat and 40-foot Tiffin Phaeton are parked. This week it’s Oneida Shores Park near Syracuse, N.Y. The couple first stayed here 10 years ago and slept in their camper before upgrading to this RV.
Like many tournament wives, Miyu is skilled at backing the boat trailer. The daily routine includes launching and loading Shin’s boat. Today, he relaxes while giving directions. Miyu doesn’t need the help, even though it makes her smile.
Like many tournament wives, Miyu is skilled at backing the boat trailer. The daily routine includes launching and loading Shin’s boat. Today, he relaxes while giving directions. Miyu doesn’t need the help, even though it makes her smile.
Miyu drives the Tundra and Shin follows in the RV. Homesickness is nonexistent because home is wherever the vehicles are parked. This week it’s campsite #42. The couple drives from one tournament site to the next, staying up to a month at each location.
Miyu drives the Tundra and Shin follows in the RV. Homesickness is nonexistent because home is wherever the vehicles are parked. This week it’s campsite #42. The couple drives from one tournament site to the next, staying up to a month at each location.
Shin works on tackle after a day of fishing the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open presented by Allstate. Nearby is cavernous storage space extending the length of the RV. In any other home, it’s called the basement or man cave.
Shin works on tackle after a day of fishing the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open presented by Allstate. Nearby is cavernous storage space extending the length of the RV. In any other home, it’s called the basement or man cave.
This scene is typical of many in America’s suburban neighborhoods. The family dog greets his master when arriving home from work. Meet Adam, one of two Chihuahuas that are part of the Fukae family.
This scene is typical of many in America’s suburban neighborhoods. The family dog greets his master when arriving home from work. Meet Adam, one of two Chihuahuas that are part of the Fukae family.
The trophy mantel of the Fukae rolling home is the RV dashboard. On display are two prizes. They are reminders of what Shin ultimately wants to accomplish in his career. Those are winning marquee events in the two leagues.
The trophy mantel of the Fukae rolling home is the RV dashboard. On display are two prizes. They are reminders of what Shin ultimately wants to accomplish in his career. Those are winning marquee events in the two leagues.
Painting one eyeball of a Daruma doll is a Japanese custom for making a dream come true. When it does, the other eyeball is painted. Shin’s wish is to qualify for the Bassmaster Elite Series.
Painting one eyeball of a Daruma doll is a Japanese custom for making a dream come true. When it does, the other eyeball is painted. Shin’s wish is to qualify for the Bassmaster Elite Series.
The wish is written on the back and it also includes winning another tournament in the United States. Shin’s last win came in 2014 at the Northern Open on Lake Champlain.
The wish is written on the back and it also includes winning another tournament in the United States. Shin’s last win came in 2014 at the Northern Open on Lake Champlain.
This TV tray doubles as a portable workstation. The mounted fly-tying vase gets lots of use. Shin ties more than 300 skirted jigs a year while modifying lures from Senkos to spinnerbaits and more.
This TV tray doubles as a portable workstation. The mounted fly-tying vase gets lots of use. Shin ties more than 300 skirted jigs a year while modifying lures from Senkos to spinnerbaits and more.
On the lid of this storage box filled with lure components is a special notebook. Note entries include everything from wind velocity and water temperature, to line weights and lure details. Shin keeps detailed notes of every day spent on the water.
On the lid of this storage box filled with lure components is a special notebook. Note entries include everything from wind velocity and water temperature, to line weights and lure details. Shin keeps detailed notes of every day spent on the water.
The evidence is inside the pages of the notebook. This inventory list has every component of the custom lures made by Shin. The dates on this notebook range from 2005 to 2015. Shin goes through a lot of notebooks like these.
The evidence is inside the pages of the notebook. This inventory list has every component of the custom lures made by Shin. The dates on this notebook range from 2005 to 2015. Shin goes through a lot of notebooks like these.
Storage bags filled with 12 years of detailed notes are located in the storage space beneath the RV’s floor. Ask Shin to recall a lure made on a given date or on a particular fishing trip, and he can find the details in the notebooks.
Storage bags filled with 12 years of detailed notes are located in the storage space beneath the RV’s floor. Ask Shin to recall a lure made on a given date or on a particular fishing trip, and he can find the details in the notebooks.
No fisherman’s TV tray is complete without a line-winding station. Shin does it all here, from spooling new line on reels to making lures.
No fisherman’s TV tray is complete without a line-winding station. Shin does it all here, from spooling new line on reels to making lures.
Work is happening on the other side of the room, too. While Shin makes jigs, Miyu makes dinner. She says they never miss a home-cooked meal because the kitchen is on wheels.
Work is happening on the other side of the room, too. While Shin makes jigs, Miyu makes dinner. She says they never miss a home-cooked meal because the kitchen is on wheels.
Each meal includes rice. Miyu says Shin eats the Japanese staple with everything, hamburgers included. Shin says the rice is nutritious while curbing his appetite during long days on the water.
Each meal includes rice. Miyu says Shin eats the Japanese staple with everything, hamburgers included. Shin says the rice is nutritious while curbing his appetite during long days on the water.
What expensive fishing tackle is to Shin, this deluxe rice maker is to Miyu. She brought it back from Japan in her checked baggage. The fluffy steamed rice will be ready in about 40 minutes.
What expensive fishing tackle is to Shin, this deluxe rice maker is to Miyu. She brought it back from Japan in her checked baggage. The fluffy steamed rice will be ready in about 40 minutes.
Shin likes Corn Flakes for this obvious reason. He once appeared on the cereal box as an FLW Tour pro. Miyu says cereal is not on tonight’s menu.
Shin likes Corn Flakes for this obvious reason. He once appeared on the cereal box as an FLW Tour pro. Miyu says cereal is not on tonight’s menu.
Tonight’s dinner features an entrée of chicken with sauce. Miyu likes this product because the bags are compact and she can store many flavors in the RV’s small space.
Tonight’s dinner features an entrée of chicken with sauce. Miyu likes this product because the bags are compact and she can store many flavors in the RV’s small space.
Plenty of choices are available. The couple’s annual two-month stay in Japan includes a shopping spree for traditional Japanese foods. In America, they stock up on staples at Japanese mega-markets in Atlanta and elsewhere.
Plenty of choices are available. The couple’s annual two-month stay in Japan includes a shopping spree for traditional Japanese foods. In America, they stock up on staples at Japanese mega-markets in Atlanta and elsewhere.
The freezer is loaded with prime fillets of sashimi-grade fish. Miyu says they eat traditional food most of the time and rarely eat at Japanese restaurants. For an ethnic experience, they splurge on Ben & Jerry’s Chocolate Therapy ice cream.
The freezer is loaded with prime fillets of sashimi-grade fish. Miyu says they eat traditional food most of the time and rarely eat at Japanese restaurants. For an ethnic experience, they splurge on Ben & Jerry’s Chocolate Therapy ice cream.
While dinner is cooking, Shin does what many husbands do after work. His TV watching focuses on reruns of The Bassmasters, including this show produced at Oneida Lake.
While dinner is cooking, Shin does what many husbands do after work. His TV watching focuses on reruns of The Bassmasters, including this show produced at Oneida Lake.
Dinner is finished, and Miyu catches up on business in the home office. Shin competes this year in 19 events, the most of his 12 years as a pro. Paying bills at home is replaced by keeping up with year-round travel expenses for Miyu.
Dinner is finished, and Miyu catches up on business in the home office. Shin competes this year in 19 events, the most of his 12 years as a pro. Paying bills at home is replaced by keeping up with year-round travel expenses for Miyu.
Shin and Miyu are always on the road, and sightseeing is one of the perks. They take lots of pictures but few of each other. This stop was at the Statue of Liberty in 2007.
Shin and Miyu are always on the road, and sightseeing is one of the perks. They take lots of pictures but few of each other. This stop was at the Statue of Liberty in 2007.
Miyu’s friend drew this portrait using a photograph taken of the couple after a tournament in Japan. That was 13 years ago. The friend’s wedding gift includes a message to the groom that he follows daily.
Miyu’s friend drew this portrait using a photograph taken of the couple after a tournament in Japan. That was 13 years ago. The friend’s wedding gift includes a message to the groom that he follows daily.
Today, the bed doubles as rod storage after Shin sorted through the options, leaving the spares behind. Miyu says the RV needs a rod storage compartment like what’s in the boat.
Today, the bed doubles as rod storage after Shin sorted through the options, leaving the spares behind. Miyu says the RV needs a rod storage compartment like what’s in the boat.
Doing the laundry is on today’s list of household chores. It’s no different whether home has a permanent zip code or changes monthly with the tournament schedule.
Doing the laundry is on today’s list of household chores. It’s no different whether home has a permanent zip code or changes monthly with the tournament schedule.
The Fishing Fund coin box is mounted conveniently behind the driver’s seat. That’s so Shin can deposit loose change into a fund that’s not for fishing at all. The coins go into Miyu’s pink purse.
The Fishing Fund coin box is mounted conveniently behind the driver’s seat. That’s so Shin can deposit loose change into a fund that’s not for fishing at all. The coins go into Miyu’s pink purse.
Some of the Fishing Fund coins go to buy treats for Leo, left, and Adam, who have lived a good life on the road for eight years and counting. The pets are offspring of dogs owned by Gary Yamamoto.
Some of the Fishing Fund coins go to buy treats for Leo, left, and Adam, who have lived a good life on the road for eight years and counting. The pets are offspring of dogs owned by Gary Yamamoto.
The food container is a familiar sight with tournament families who must leave pets behind for business travel. Adam and Leo get boarded when the Fukaes must fly to sponsor obligations.
The food container is a familiar sight with tournament families who must leave pets behind for business travel. Adam and Leo get boarded when the Fukaes must fly to sponsor obligations.
The satellite TV is tuned to a music channel while Shin prepares tackle for the next tournament. The “basement” of the RV is a mini man cave of tackle for virtually any fishing scenario.
The satellite TV is tuned to a music channel while Shin prepares tackle for the next tournament. The “basement” of the RV is a mini man cave of tackle for virtually any fishing scenario.
These sliding drawers are the evidence. Most of the stored 16 Rubbermaid containers hold Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits soft plastics, including every size, shape and model of Senko known to man.
These sliding drawers are the evidence. Most of the stored 16 Rubbermaid containers hold Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits soft plastics, including every size, shape and model of Senko known to man.
In the back is a slim space for plastic utility boxes filled with hard baits, terminal tackle and lures that find infrequent use.
In the back is a slim space for plastic utility boxes filled with hard baits, terminal tackle and lures that find infrequent use.
Stored near 12 years of fishing notebook diaries is this collection of topographic lake maps. You can bet that details of secret spots are documented in the notebooks in this decade-old maps collection.
Stored near 12 years of fishing notebook diaries is this collection of topographic lake maps. You can bet that details of secret spots are documented in the notebooks in this decade-old maps collection.
Break time from tackle maintenance and household work means relaxing on the front porch.
Break time from tackle maintenance and household work means relaxing on the front porch.
Miyu chooses to wear this T-shirt just for the photo shoot. She wants everyone to see and read the lighthearted message about how she feels about her husband.
Miyu chooses to wear this T-shirt just for the photo shoot. She wants everyone to see and read the lighthearted message about how she feels about her husband.
For the Fukae home, a license plate replaces a mailbox and street number. It’s all about bringing the comforts of home with you on the road, wherever that might lead.
For the Fukae home, a license plate replaces a mailbox and street number. It’s all about bringing the comforts of home with you on the road, wherever that might lead.

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