From the angler’s perspective
More often than not, if you are a waegook (foreigner) in Korea, you have come across some roadblocks when it comes to finding the beautiful trout and streams that grace the internet. I sympathize, but am also complicit in the close to the vest attitude that is prevalent when it comes to sharing locations. Hiring a guide is a sensible approach to overcome that barrier. In fact, my first lenok came on a guided trip.
All the guides in Korea (I estimate 3-4 that are actually making a living from it) are going to take a client to a handful of streams that are easy to access and commonly known. This is a great way to get an introduction to fly fishing in Korea. But, the options are limited when you begin and end your day in Seoul. To access some of the streams off the beaten path, you have to include one of the cities in Gangwon Province on the east coast of Korea. The guide will then focus on the waters of that area, and it will eliminate the community streams (that are frequented by Seoulites). However, if you take this approach, you should consider booking a multi day trip. For example- Leave from Seoul, fish location A, spend the night in Gangwon, fish location B, and so on.
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.
A migratory cherry caught in late June
From the guide’s perspective
From my experience, the best guides have their own unique fly patterns. In Korea- that could be a micro stimulator with an orange uv flash body (a bamboo rod maker), a thorax dun with a cdc wing with the hackle trimmed (the OG dry fly legend), or a meticulous white bugger with a fluorescent orange bead (catches everything on the swing). A good guide is also a master caster. With the ability to demonstrate a reach, drop, aerial mend, or a downstream presentation.
However, what sets the guides in Korea apart is their community. The best fly fishing guides in Korea don’t advertise. Some have no social media presence at all. What they do have is a loyal following and a unique master apprentice type relationship that implies years of tutelage. The best guides in Korea have dedicated clients, and an impressive wealth of knowledge to bring. They are in constant communication with their clients (community), updating them with current fishing conditions.
To the waegook, a guide is also a cultural and historical reference. They know the best restaurants in a small village and have built rapport with provincial home and business owners (parking your car in Korea is always tricky). They can tell you what fishing was like in the 90’s and how it has changed. A quality guide in Korea is also well versed on all manner of species. This could be fishing poppers for bass, swinging for barbel, euro nymphing for big rainbows, or fishing midges for finicky winter cherries. With all that being said, the list is short.
Seasons
The best seasons are going to be late spring/ early summer or early to mid autumn. Everything is flow dependent. You will need your waders for the spring and fall fishing, but wet wading is pleasant in the summer. Cherry trout are present year round. Steady dry fly fishing starts in late March and into April. You can expect fish in the 4-6 inch range with an 8 incher being a nice catch. If you want a chance at a quality fish (12-14 inches) You will need to wait for the first significant rain of early summer (first two weeks of June). The best dry fly fishing for cherries is in May, when the hatches are the most significant- as the river conditions are relatively stable. The cherries spawn in the fall (October-November), but will still feed off the surface. October is a good month for lenok fishing, and in November and December you could get a nice midge hatch on warmer days- but you might have to resort to nymphing to have any chance. Most local anglers are on the Soyang tailwater by this time.
Ending the day
A tip is always appreciated and will never be refused, however it is not the culture. Your guide might prepare a small gift for you such as some flies or floatant, and you should have the same mindset. Consider gifting your guide with something unique to your country's fly fishing culture. That could be a special fly tying material or a hat from your local fly shop. This can be given at any point during the day. It will bring a smile and cement the relationship. It takes the passing of many seasons to understand fly fishing in Korea. During the long car ride back to Seoul, reflect on the day and marvel at the realization that you can enjoy your passion in one of the most technologically advanced and densely populated countries in the world.
Side Note
I take out two or three people a year, and primarily focus on targeted missions. If you have been trying for a while to catch that specific fish- we can talk about setting up a trip. However a better option might be my mentorship program. This comes in a four class set that you can use throughout the year to give you that edge for your next time out.
