Korean Job Discussion Forums

xingyiman · Joined: 12 Jan 2006

I've heard it's really sweet and I intend to try it this spring. Also where can you get a good fly rod in ROK?

Arthur Dent · Joined: 28 Mar 2007 Location: Kochu whirld

xingyiman,

For starters, thanks for the use of the lonely x and y. They appreciate it, they don't get together very often except at chromosome parties. I have been fly fishing twice here. Both times last year in Gangwando. Have a look at this thread.
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=96028&highlight=

Also, the map store I mentioned - you will need help from the store owner or another Korean friend to choose the right ones - is right outside Sinyongsan Station. See the post in the above thread.
I have recently made contact with a couple of other fly-fishers and hope to head out soon. As recently as last week, with all the cold weather, the rivers were still frozen. I hope to go in March. It is Rainbow season.
I mentioned in that other thread that I was about to go again last fall. I did. It was not as successful - if you can call the previous trip successful! - but I got to a new area and still had a good time. I know there is also some trout fishing further South but have no details on this.

I have been really busy until now and had some computer problems I have only just dealt with, but soon I will figure out how to post some photos of both trips.

captain kirk · Joined: 29 Jan 2003

A Dave's poster named Dr. Buck trout fished in Korea. He was really into it. I don't know if he's still around. Do a search for Dr. Buck and PM him!

xingyiman · Joined: 12 Jan 2006

Arthur Dent · Joined: 28 Mar 2007 Location: Kochu whirld

The Manchurian trout is also known here as the Lenok. This is the variety I fished for and caught one of. It was about 8 or 9 inches long. Be warned however that most are quite small and the stream I was fishing was only 10 or 12 feet across at its widest. Often much smaller. A challenge to fish when you can barely cast. Also, there is still a lot of pressure on the fish. It seems to be a question of knowing the where and the when to fish, much like anywhere else. While I only saw two people in the small stream - they were using nets - there were many fishermen in the main river. Though there are generally no regulations, this does not translate into better fishing opportunities. Quite the opposite I believe. Also, there are likely local restrictions related to land ownership.

I would suggest the catch and release philosophy here, as the locals could use the education on proper fisheries management. It would be ok to eat the farmed fish - but the Lenok are rare and are not to be kept. I believe Russia is the place to go if you want larger fish to keep.