Korean Job Discussion Forums

[xingyiman]

I was wondering if anyone knows if there is any place I can buy fly fishing equipment in or around Seoul? There is a river near my house and I'd like to do some fly fishing but I left all my gear back in the states (stupid me). I am interested in rod and reels, chest/hip waders, and fly tying tools and materials if thats possible.

[nautilus]

There used to be a good store at Coex which had all that. I looked for it in vain a few days ago- its now a dress shop.

I think a lot of people just buy specialist stuff like that by mail order these days.

if you find a good shop though, let me know...

[oldfatfarang]

We discussed this a while ago - check this link:

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=66457&highlight=fishing

I've seen very poor quality fly fishing rods/reels/lines (AFTMA 5/6 & hat decoration flies) in the 2 fishing shops opposite the Namdemum Gate/market. One shop is on the corner - right next to the sloping green grassed park - and the other's next to it, on the way to the subway station.

Try dowloading and photocopying pictures of fly fishing tackle/fishing. That might help as they're 99% bait/floats/poles etc and very little English spoken - if any.

Korean TV shows fly fishing for tiny trout on small North East streams - so the gear/flies must be available somewhere. You won't want waders - but polyprop underwear would keep you warm while ankle wading.

Also, check out www.cherrytrout.com.

Your best mail-order would probably be: www.cabelas.com

Tight lines,
www.shamusfishing.com

[riverboy]

http://www.aquaz.net/

Or, get a hold of this guy. He makes Hardy reels and orvis rods. He is located in Bucheon..

011 355 1901

[email protected]

Mr Goh

[xingyiman]

I went around Seoul to several fishing shops yesterday and the rods/reels I found were all pretty much geared for sea fishing. Also the Koreans have an obsession with spinning reels which I don't like. Give me a bait casting rig anyday of the week. Less line to untangle. I found absolutely no fly fishing gear. I have come to the conclusion that the best bet would be to get a paypal account and buy the stuff online and have it shipped to me. Even with shipping I could come up with a way better deal as fishing equip, like most other Korean sporting equipment, is grossly overpriced.
I saw a baitcasting rod and reel that the guy wanted $40.00 for that I could easily get on ebay for $5 considering that it was used.

[oldfatfarang]

Sounds like Cabelas is your best bet for online ordering.

Also, fishing gear is very cheap in Thailand (for really good quality Japanese spinning/baitcasting tackle).

While I realise most TESL teachers go to Thailand for other pursuits (?) - Thailand offers some of the best ultra-light spinning - jigging - and bait fishing around. I fish there a lot - from the shore/wharf - using 6lb braid (2lb dia) on 3 different weight spinning rod combos. The fish are small, but plentiful, so it's really good fun! Squid 'jigging' at night is also a real rush.

If you want some really exciting fishing - buy a cheap 15-18' graphite telescopic pole from emart - and fish Thai beaches by wading and bait-fishing with a fixed-line float-rig. Beats the hell out of Korean sitting-on-bum-style float-fishing as you're basically fly-casting (but using bait).

I'm bringing my spinning/bait rigs to Korea next time. I wouldn't bother with fly-fishing there. Too much hassle and expense - for minute, hard to find, trout. I wish I'd bought one of those cheap telescopic spinning rods sold in Korea - as when I carry my huge multi-rod tube abroad - I get some very funny looks/questions from airport security.

I'm just off to NZ for 2 months steelhead fly-fishing.
Good luck - and let us know how you get on fishing in Korea.

www.shamusfishing.com

[riverboy]

Did you miss my post guys/ A fella in Bucheon Manufavture HARDY, Orvis, loomis and scientifice anglers. Give him a cll his English is pretty good

[xingyiman]

[xingyiman]

[riverboy]

[Joshie]

If I can interject, I've been wondering do any of you guys fish for salmon in korea? I noticed there is a run of salmon near yang yang.

[oldfatfarang]

I haven't fished for salmon in K. However, I saw some neat photos at a photo exhibition in Seoul last year. Seems K has a 'Salmon Catching" day or festival, somewhere in the North East Pacific running rivers/streams.

In the festival, Koreans seemed to be just catching spawned out (black) salmon with their hands. Heaps of fun for the kids. I don't know if you can fish for them when they are fresh run (bright) - but I'd be very interested to hook up with anyone trying to catch them - or wanting to see the festival.

My academic studies (and field research) were based on pacific and atlantic salmon fishing/fisheries.

PS. My experience buying second-hand rods etc, suggests that there's no bargains to be had. In fact, buying a used rod is like finding a genuine girlfriend on the beach at Pattaya: i.e., looks good, smells good, is bright and shiny - but.... ultimately, it's pretty banged-up and liable to let you down at the critical moment.

Tight lines,
www.shamusfishing.com

[Joshie]

I would definitely be interested in hooking up to catch them. I'm coming to korea in two weeks and will be missing the prime time to catch salmon from shore back home. I will be in serious withdrawl. It's hard to find out more info on this. If you find out more about it PM me. Heres that link to that festival you were talking about http://www.thesecondlayer.com/gallery/southkorea/salmonfest/gallerysalmonfest.html

[xingyiman]

[nautilus]