Important Announcement Regarding Fishing on the East Coast

February 24, 2025 John Koenigs

2024 and into 2025 saw a number of high profile commercial fishing boat accidents, so moving forward all fishing in dangerous areas is banned. Some of the most popular spots on Korea’s East Coast to fish from shore are jetties that protect ports, but these are all constructed from tetrapods- and therefore will be out of bounds starting this year. There were previous regulations that were loosely enforced, but with CCTV and marine police stations at every major port- I wouldn’t advice testing the limits of the law.

West Sea fishing is mainly done from rocks that require a hike, and there are some sea walls made of concrete that are popular spots. But most of East Sea fishing is done from the tetrapods. I was out this year in the kayak on the East Sea, and was visited by the local marine police to conducted an alcohol breath test. They kindly asked me to give them a call once I was off the water, and I obliged. This check was definitely due to the recent accidents. I am sure there will be plenty of signs up telling you where you can’t fish.

There are a few beaches that can be amazing, but the action isn’t consistent. The draw of port fishing was access to deeper water and the structure which always held schools of bait and subsequent predatory fish. The tetrapods are absolutely dangerous and I would never take a guest fishing there, but they were places where the locals congregated. There was definitely comradery and community. We will see where it goes from here, but above all be safe out there.

A look back on 2024 and Planning for 2025

January 12, 2025 John Koenigs

The addition of the Hobie Itrek 11 dictated a lot of the fishing plans in 2024. I was able to find several good launch points up and down the east coast of Korea. However, my most productive saltwater day was from the beach in Donghae near the Mukho Port. Most of the fishing was done with the spinning rod, and I am gaming how to be successful with the fly rod in the salt in 2025. I discovered that small mahi are plentiful on east coast due to Korea’s rising sea temperature, and that yellowtail amberjack are also prevalent- both should make good targets on fly for 2025.

My bass fishing was mostly focused on Daechangho, a huge reservoir located 2 hours by car from Seoul. April- June were the only months For my fly fishing for bass in 2024; I had great results with smaller foam crease fly patterns and was top water fishing 75 % of the time. I didn’t fish any sinking or sink tip lines this year. Looking back, I wanted to appreciate seeing the eats and follows. That is what fly fishing is about for me. All of my fall fishing was focused on the salt. I was able to catch a good size Spanish mackerel and amberjack from the kayak with a 40g metal jig, but didn’t seriously attempt to chase anything with the fly. The hobie is great for getting out there, but is not fast enough to run down the feeding schools.

I had the pleasure of taking two guests out for their first Korean fish on the trout streams of Gangwondo. It was very fulfilling. I am committed to taking 2-3 guests out in 2025. I was also happy to see that Dongnam stream fished well in 2024 as well as the rivers in the Mitan area. There seems to be an effort to create some fly fishing tourism in Mitan.

I had a bad fall this year while climbing over some rocks on a small stream, and sprained some ligaments in my foot. Had it not been for the beefy G4 boots, I likely would have broken some bones. Please take care while fishing. It healed well (it took longer than expected), but that was enough for me to understand that efforts need to be taken to maintain my level of fitness if I want to keep fishing once I am over the hill (which will be soon!).

I am taking a rest from fishing until the end of November. However, have planned a trip to explore the area around Manila in the Philippines the first week of March. The target species will be similar to what I fished for in Malaysia (peacock bass, barramundi, milk and lady fish, and if I am lucky- my first giant snakehead). After the Philippines there will be a few trips for spring cherry trout in the mountains of Korea, and depending on the weather prespawn bass fishing in April. At the end of April I will be in Colorado getting in some days on the Front Range and down in Aspen. Summer will be spent chasing migrating cherries with a dry and navigating the summer rain. From August to September I will do my best impression of Captain Ahab- weather permitting of course.

Fly fishing has connected me with so many wonderful people and continues to provide fulfillment through continuous learning. I encourage anyone who feels overwhelmed by the continuous pressures of life to spend a day on the water.

I am addicted to fly fishing

November 19, 2024 John Koenigs

This must be a behavioral addiction, and behavioral addictions release chemicals in the body- namely dopamine. I know what I like. I am all about the initial strike. A rise, the indicator going down, a sharp tug. These are all heart stopping moments for me. That must be when I get my dopamine hit. I would say it is a ten second rush, and then I am out there chasing it again. This is about pleasure.

I am a planner, and fishing is always on my mind- constantly checking the weather, tides, and wind. Immediately after I finish a trip- I am looking for possibilities when to get out again. I am hooked. Even during family vacations, I am looking to see if there is water nearby.

Buying another rod or new waders is a must have situation for me. I have become irrational. Kayaks and inflatable boats dominate my mind. This can’t be healthy. I don’t think it has interfered with my work yet. Although I have built my career around being able to fish during the weekdays, and the post corona environment has allowed me to work remotely- which I have taken advantage of during fishing trips.

Ocean Kayak Fishing on Korea’s East Coast

October 8, 2024 John Koenigs

Today is October 8th, 2024 and the ocean temperature is 72.1 F which is 4.7 degrees higher than the usual ocean temperature. I don’t know if the fish will hang around later into November (the second week of November in my experience is when the fishing slows down) or perhaps into the first week of December. I have been catching a lot of amberjack (방어) and dolphinfish (만새기). I have yet to catch any Spanish mackerel (삼치) from the kayak, but I have had good days for Spanish from the beach. Also, I haven’t been using my fly rod. Once I get a little more dialed in, or if my freezer is full (my mother in law likes to distribute fish to her friends)- I’ll dedicate a few days to fly only. A 30- 40 gram metal jig will catch everything. Once you get out into 100 feet or more of depth, you might want to go a little heavier.

Looking for a Fly Fishing Guide in Korea? Here’s What You Need to Consider

July 14, 2024 John Koenigs

A brightly colored cherry caught in a mountain stream

You might have this image of catching a trout near the DMZ or a stream that flows from North Korea- in today’s current political climate, that is a pipe dream. Twenty years ago (estimation) the provincial government tried to promote tourism and gave access to a few individuals to the highly secure areas that are close to the DMZ. No one (that I know of) has that access now, but good news; you don’t have to climb under barbed wire to catch a trout in Korea.

Another question I get is about a Korean trout “slam”. It isn’t much of a slam. You have cherry trout/salmon and lenok. You might want to include stocked rainbows. It is possible to catch all three in a day, but it would require a lot of driving- and I promise your guide won’t like the idea. The ideal month for a slam would be September. However, there is the very likely possibility of a late tropical storm around that time that would make all fishing impossible. Are there streams that hold both lenok and cherries? Yes, but they are tucked deep in the mountains and require a fair bit of hiking. The fish are also small, but these streams do exist. If you ask the same question to your guide and they say “no”. Respect their answer.

My Hobie i Trek 11 Story

May 29, 2024 John Koenigs

The first challenge was to get it on the airplane to South Korea. The rolling duffle is much larger than you think and is considered an oversize bag. I didn’t have to pay an extra fee, because Korean Air combined the total weight of my luggage and it was still under the limit for four bags, as my wife was flying with me. But I was told that this wasn’t the normal protocol.

My first trip out was a little awkward. Fly line management was an issue and positioning the boat to make a cast took some getting used to, but by mid afternoon proficiency improved. I took the stripping bib from the Stealth Pro and placed it between my legs, and that does a good job of managing the fly line on the deck. The little cup holder on the side of the seat gets in the way, but is nice for holding flies and also functions as a rod holder.

2023 Fishing Review and 2024 Prospectus

December 31, 2023 John Koenigs

Poof! Just like that, 2023 is gone. Life has continued post corona, yet a sequence of international strife has taken its place. I didn’t travel as much internationally as I had hoped, due to the fact that air travel was three times what I was willing to pay for a few days of fishing. However, I did manage to catch a striped bass off the coast of Massachusetts while attending my sister's wedding. For the pre and post spawn bass bite in Korea, I found some nice water on the upper reaches of the Nakdong River near Sangju (closer to Andong than Daegu). A new stick, and Echo Carbon XL 2wt, was added to the quiver; and the result was a lot of dry fly fishing! I fished dries for nearly all of my trout this year.

Lenok Fishing in Korea

October 27, 2023 John Koenigs

Yeolmogo, lenok, or Manchurian trout are Korea’s treasured native salmonid, and the Korean lenok is the world’s southernmost population to boot. But you’re not going to find a lot of fishing information and dated info may have lost its relevance. The community college of Korean fly fishing is the most reliable way to learn about lenok, and passing through its levels is mandatory. If you are a newcomer to the Korean fishing community, you will be introduced to two rivers. The first is Dongnam Creek/Stream/River ( I have heard it referred to as all of these). This is a medium sized river that will fish year round. Fishing can be up and down, but usually has a good population of cherry trout and rainbows.

The Professional

July 5, 2023 John Koenigs

An older gentleman arrived. There were three people on the jetty at this point, but he went around and greeted everyone. He asked me where I was from and told me a little about his life. He was proud to be retired (currently 70 years old) and gets to fish five days a week. I asked him his name and he didn’t miss a beat, “they call me The Professional, but you can call me Mr. Park”. Great, I just met the self proclaimed mackerel assassin. Mr. Park was incredibly fit; arriving with a framed backpack carrying all his equipment, and nimbly hopping from dolo to dolo sporting the aforementioned pack. He settled in, and all the newcomers stopped by his area to pay their respects.

Dialed in on Cherry Trout (Balance)

May 10, 2023 John Koenigs

Beautifully colored mountain stream Cherry Trout.

Larger fish are always at the lower section of the river. The trout streams in Korea flow straight out the the mountains (literally) and the water is cold, but the higher you hike and the more remote it becomes; the smaller the fish get. On the inverse, the further down you go and the more vertical you lose, the stream becomes warmer. So, it is about finding that middle area, and just like that suddenly you start seeing fish.

Tackle Shops in Seoul Accessible by Subway

January 23, 2023 John Koenigs

I like to keep tabs on conventional tackle shops for tying hooks, swivels, monofilament, and other fishing related things that fly shops don’t carry. Here are a few of the shops located in Seoul proper. Please note there are bigger shops located outside the city limits.

Pyeonghwa Fishing- Fairly large shop with a basement, where there is an adequate lure and soft bait selection. This shop is located within walking distance of Lotte Tower (the fifth tallest building in the world). This is a good shop if you find yourself in Eastern Seoul. I buy my heavy mono and offset hooks from this shop.

Click HERE for a google map link.

Review of the '22 fishing year and prospects for '23

January 3, 2023 John Koenigs

One of my major goals this year was to catch a spanish mackerel on fly. It didn’t happen. I put in a lot of time and even made a dedicated trip to Uljin in November (more on this later). I simply started too late. I should have been concentrating my efforts at the end of August and the beginning of September, when reports of mackerel near Yangyang starting hitting the web. I was enjoying some fall black bass fishing into October, which was nice- but didn’t really produce anything substantial in terms of size. I definitely was on numbers though.

Saltwater Fly Fishing Korea’s East Coast- What I have learned so far

October 11, 2022 John Koenigs

The tides on the east coast are also much less dramatic. They are still strong, and you should definitely be checking them before you go out, but in my experience the west coast tides and currents are significantly more substantial. The extreme tides of the west coast expose vast mud flats, and I haven’t seen any on the east coast. This makes access much easier. To launch your kayak ( or in my case a pontoon) you just have to walk down the beach. One thing I have learned the hard way ( the coast guard was called) You should not fish near any industrial looking sites. Even if you are giving them a wide berth; you shouldn’t be there. It seems they hire some of the locals to manage these waterways.

Can you catch big bass on small patterns?

May 6, 2022 John Koenigs

During the spawn is a good time to practice you finesse fishing. Scaling down the patterns and slowing down the retrieves can be the only way to catch them during the daylight hours. I have had the surprising success with sz 10-12 leech patterns designed for bluegill and trout. There are somethings you have to consider though when fishing light gear.

Your chances to actually land a big bass

Getting a bass to hit a small pattern is relatively easy, but landing them is a whole different matter. Smaller flies are tied on lighter hooks, many of which are barbless. It is very easy for a big bass to shake free. Make sure you are using quality hooks and keep tension on them throughout the fight. Don’t sweat it if they get off. It’s part of the game.

One Fish Changes Everything

April 4, 2022 John Koenigs

I teach English in Seoul, South Korea. It is a job I have come to truly love, and it affords me at least one day of fishing a week. Add my live wire wife, and I couldn't/shouldn't ask for more. Recently, my base human instinct reared its ugly head and drove me to retool my website in an attempt to achieve the semblance of scale for my modest supplementary language education business. Like with most things I take on, I was moving fast. Reacting rather than researching, and hoping that things fall in place. I pitched my plan to two individuals that were the easiest to access in the rolodex. Needless to say- they were skeptical beyond a doubt. Not only did they not share my vision, but they seemed to think I was trying to fleece them. That 20 minute zoom call left a bad taste in my mouth and put me in an even worse mood. That was on Monday.

The 2022 Game Plan

February 24, 2022 John Koenigs

Spring is just around the corner. The water temperatures are doing their best to break above 40 degrees Fahrenheit (fishing doesn’t get consistent till around 55 degrees Fahrenheit), but with nighttime lows still below freezing the progress is painfully slow. This winter, with covid, was a definite downer for me. The fishing was sub par due to the low water in the trout streams, and I was without my favorite six weight because of a broken tip. Enough with the negativity. It’s time to look on the bright side. I am going to predict that the black bass prespawn feed will start the last week of March and will continue into the second week of April. Realistically I will only have three or four trips to locate the feeding fish. Leading up to that I have a tradition to fish midges for cherry trout during the first or second week of March.

Salt Water Fly Fishing on Korea's West Coast

December 5, 2021 John Koenigs

The next two trips produced fish. For one trip I fished a deep indicator rig with two streamers. I let the drift in the current; trying to cover water. I caught two sea bass and called it a day. I needed to get down deep and wanted a little more action on the retrieve so I cut a 35 foot section out of a type 6 full sink and connected that via loop to loop to my outbound short floating line. If I wanted to get a little more technical I could have connected it to a running line, but for the sake of convenience I took the short cut. The flies I tied were HEAVY with four 4mm tungsten beads tied in “belly scratcher” style. They ride hook point up as to not snag the bottom so often. I caught a nice flounder and rock fish on this rig.

Night Fishing For Bass May 2021

May 25, 2021 John Koenigs

The big ones bite at night. This is what I was told by veteran angler Paul Baek. Paul is one of the most experienced bass anglers I have had the pleasure of fishing with, and he knows his home waters of Jeolla Province like the back of his hand. The journey started on Saturday evening as I made my way down to Nonsan from Seoul. From there I met up with Paul and he drove the rest of the way down to Jangseong. The plan was to fish Jangseong lake ALL NIGHT.

Dokdo Sea Fishing Site- Rock Fish and Steelhead on the fly

December 2, 2020 John Koenigs

I made the trip out to Daebudo Island an hour west of Seoul. The Dokdo Sea Fishing Site was empty. In the summer they provide little shelters that you can rent, and I imagine people fish all through the day and night. Dokdo is another one of South Korea’s fabulous stock fishing sites. I have very little experience with saltwater fly fishing, and struggled a bit at first. The only other person fishing asked to used my net, which is a must have due to the size of the fish, after which he gave me a small yellow bead head woolly bugger. Magic. I caught fish after fish mainly rock fish and two hefty steelhead.

How I Started Euro Nymphing Under $100

October 28, 2020 John Koenigs

An enjoyable part of fly fishing for me is finding little hacks and tricks to cut cost, modify, and create your own tools. I have repurposed Altoids tins for fly boxes, bent wire a coat hanger into hook remover, and made a stripping basket from dollar store supplies. Fly fishing is an outlet for me to be creative. The European nymphing technique (contact or tightlining) is impossible to ignore for the modern fly angler. It appeared, and is super effective, but (we are being told) it requires a bunch of specialized equipment. Here is how I was able to start under $100.