Fly Fishing  South Korea

Fishing Permits – Not Required

Species – Cherry trout, Rainbow Trout, Pacific Redfin

Key Takeaways – Trout population density is often sparse. Anglers should be confident in casting more than 20ft on light tippets. Fly Fishing in Korea requires patience and perseverance. Opportunities to observe wildlife & experience rural Korean culture are an added bonus. This is a great escape for anglers looking for a unique challenge on the fly rod. The journey from Seoul to our campsite is approximately four hours.

Korea is approximately the size of the US State of Indiana in land area. Despite S. Korea’s high population to land density, wild populations of cherry trout, lenok and rainbow trout ply the canyon creeks in the northeast portion of South Korea. 245 million years ago, the Korean peninsula was a weathered, muddy lowland on the eastern edge of Asia. Tectonic action buckled and twisted the land upward to form the Baekdudaegan Mt. Range. This range is the last hold-out for Korea’s trout species.

Streams here are fast yet shallow, freestone habitats riddled with ice-age boulders. Mixed forests of Korean red pines, maple, and birch cling to towering outcrops. Ospreys, hawks & owls dominate the skies. The distinctive barks of the Korean water-deer Hydropotes inermis argyropus break the silence at dawn. While fishing, these deer are easily spooked and bolt into action; jumping, splashing, and springing up the nearest slope with adept precision.

The elusive Chinese goral, a type of Asiatic mountain goat, can be spotted during the rut sparring on the mountainside. The long and the short is: Korea has an incredibly high rate of biodiversity despite its size. While Industrial prowess propelled Korea from rags to post-war riches in less than 30 years, wildlife conversation has not taken center stage. Korea’s fish, birds, flora, & fauna are waging an uphill battle against rising temperatures, habitat destruction, poaching, over-harvesting, and the sheer absence of a recreational fishing licensing system. As a result, the density of trout in Korean streams is compromised.

We believe that our conservation efforts, education, and cooperation with locals are key ingredients to recover & enhance trout populations while adding value to Korea’s rural communities. For every trip booked in South Korea, we donate $20.00 to our privately funded conservation program in Korea. All flyfishing trips we offer in S. Korea are 100% Catch & Release

Fly Fishing  Hokkaido, Japan

Fishing Licenses– Required on certain lakes, however the great majority of Hokkaido’s water do not require a permit.

Species– White Spotted Char – Both Searun / landlocked, Iwana Char, Yamame, Rainbow, Brown Trout, Sakhalin Taimen “Itou”

Key Takeaways – An awesome destination for anyone living in East Asia. Daily direct flights from Beijing, Hong Kong, & Seoul provide quick access to the wild and scenic Japanese northern “frontier.” Hokkaido has the most species of trout and salmon of anywhere in Asia outside of Kamchatka boasting 9 species of trout, salmon, and char plying the waters of this volcanic star-shaped island. Rod sizes may range from #2 to #9 according to the species of your pursuit. Spring runoff ends in early June with great fishing extending until late September.

Hokkaido also has the densest population of Ussuri brown bears in Asia. We strongly encourage you to consider fishing with an experienced guide.

Hokkaido is Japan’s 2nd largest island studded with five active volcanoes, six national parks, and nine species of trout and salmon. Sapporo-Chitose airport is an international hub with several daily connections from Seoul, Osaka, and Tokyo. Hokkaido is now accessible via the undersea Seiken Tunnel from the Japanese mainland (Honshu) with rapid access on the Shinkansen bullet to Hakodate in approximately 4.5 hours.

Two reservoirs hold healthy populations of Sakhalin taimen: Lake Shumarinai in the central north and further to the south in Lake Shikaribetsu. These two lakes are the prime spots to encounter this iconic predator. Taimen fly fishing is limited to only a few months per year with the seasonal openings and closings changing annually. Taimen are also found in several other rivers where fishing is absolutely restricted year round. One of those rivers where access is not restricted is the Sarufutsu River near the town of Wakkanai. However, expect crowds and shoulder to shoulder fishing on weekends.

The white-spotted char is native from the western part of the Bering Strait to the islands of Japan and mainland Far East Russia as far south as Vladivostok. The Japanese have been flyfishing for these char since the 15th century using floating flies on the end of a braided horsehair line tied to rudimentary bamboo rods. We use 4wt to 5wt rods to go to battle with these highly aggressive fish. Some of the big char push close to the 25”mark (60cm) The Niseko, in the Shiribeshi district is home to some sizable Rainbow trout maxing out at 17” (42cm) with cherry trout and iwana also taken in the same areas.

Bruiser browns can be found in mountain streams and spring creeks as far north as Asahikawa to Obihiro in the central south portion of Hokkaido. In the height of summer, rainbows are can be taken on large #8 cicada patterns. Cicadas hatch every summer in Hokkaido providing excellent sport for the dry fly angler. Spruce moths hatch in late summer and signal the start of incoming pink and chum salmon best fished on Hokkaido’s eastern seaboard. Salmon angling in rivers is banned so most angling is done with two handed rods from the beaches. Overall Hokkaido is a smorgasbord of fishing opportunities and perhaps the best Asian fishery outside of Russia.

Fly Fishing  Kamchatka, Russia

Fishing Permits – Yes, required and included in the rate for the total duration of travel

Species – Kamchatka Native Rainbows, Kundza Char, Arctic Char, Steelhead + All species of pacific salmon

Key Takeaways –  Extremely wild, scenic, with helicopters used on all trips. We offer well-furnished lodges and wilderness style float trips. Yes, Food, Fuel & Helicopter Transport is included in the rate. No, there are no additional charges for helicopter flights. Rods should be prepared from #5 to #8 with floating lines for the majority of situations. Rivers flow through the taiga at a moderate speed through grasslands forests of birch, larch, and conifers. Many of the northern creeks haven’t seen anglers in years. Kamchakta boasts dense populations of trout, char, and salmon often inhabiting the same stretches of river. Rainbow trout average in the 20+ inch zone (50cm+ zone) on several of Kamchatka’s streams.

Rainbow trout here are probably the biggest, boldest, and most aggressive rainbow trout on the planet. There are three distinct varieties of rainbow trout, two of them are exclusively found there. Mice and smaller fish are their preferred food sources. Watching a 25” trout chase and attack a skittering mouse is unforgettable.

Expect a few misses here and there. Generally the trout will drown the mouse before coming back a second time to slash, bite, and devour. You’ve gotta wait until the mouse-fly is completely “drowned” to set the hook. But wait a minute. Only rainbows? That’s incorrect. These big bows aren’t the only stars of the show. Arctic char, white spotted char, steelhead plus every member of the pacific salmon family are found here. At the wild edge of the former USSR, the area is still shrouded in military secrecy and some areas remain restricted.

It’s critical to prepare visas and paperwork in advance. Be sure to keep all paperwork on your person at all times. While Russia has mostly shaken off it’s soviet past, not having the papers can delay or ruin your trip. Get your paperwork done early and don’t lose it! If you’ve got a question about visas or general travel, please reach out to us.

For expat anglers based in Korea, Kamchatka it’s  a 5 hour 15 minute flight from Incheon Airport with a connection in Vladivostok, Russia. European and American anglers will generally fly to Moscow, and transfer again at Vladivostok. US carriers may reopen the Anchorage, Alaska route to Kamchatka later this year. Going through Anchorage is generally the shortest and preferred way for US based anglers to arrive. For those coming from New Zealand or Australia, consider Seoul your gateway to Kamchatka.

The Kamchatka Peninsula is about the same length as California. In total landmass, Kamchatka is comparable to Japan. Surprisingly, Kamchatka veers further east than Japan and much further to the north. Late June through early September are the prime times to be on the water.

There are no roads or railways connecting the Russian mainland to the peninsula. All flights arrive at Petropavlovsk (PK is used to  refer to both the city and the airport) The most consistent flight service is from Moscow, Vladivostok, and Seoul, South Korea. In the summer months, US carriers operate connecting flights via Anchorage, Alaska. Approximately 20,000 brown bears, 14,000 pristine rivers and streams and 9 species of trout, salmon, and steelhead make Kamchatka an extremely “wild” fly fishing experience for even experienced anglers. “Kamchatka is like Alaska was 60 years ago” according to a well-traveled angler now in his late 80s. The only place with more geysers and boiling mud is Yellowstone National Park in the United States. The ground literally shakes underfoot with frequent, low-intensity earthquakes.

Only about 370 miles of paved road exist for a population of 315,000 native Koryaks, Avens, Chukchies, Itelmans and European descended Russians. Outside of the main city of Petropavlovsk (also known as Elizova), helicopters are the buses in the sky for the majority of locals, tourists, and anglers.

On the way to camp, you’ll get a bird’s eye view of a volcanic landscape ( there are currently 29 active volcanoes) viewable from the heli’s port windows. The aircraft on this trip are well maintenanced Mi8 military helicopters repurposed for civilian use. Pilots are often exmilitary and have senior level experience with thousands of flight hours in these helicopters. These massive 5-Rotor choppers get you and your gear to camp safely in only a few hours. Be ready for a spartan bench-style seat surrounded by an enormous whirring noise that provides a unique flight experience only found in Kamchatka.

Once on the ground, you’ll spend the next week in one the world’s most remote and unique fisheries. You’ve heard the rumors about the mice-hungry rainbows. Yes that is true. There are a lot of them. Most of them have never seen a fly and will eagerly pound on your mouse pattern all day. While Kamchatka’s rainbows are aggressive, numerous, and generally bigger  than Alaska’s bows, they grab an unfair share of the spotlight. Arctic char (Dolly Varden) are big, powerful,and often appear without warning. On northern floats, these big dollys approach can surpass the 40 inch mark in the most extreme cases. Yes, the rainbow trout fishing is world class. But be ready to grab a 8wt when the dolly’s show up. 5wts and even 6wts are no match for these beasts.

Another uncelebrated fish is the white-spotted char AKA Kundza. Maybe they aren’t as elegant as rainbows. They don’t jump and they aren’t as colorful as the clown-red dolly varden. They prefer streamers over dries and have a tenacious determination to snap your line. Simply said, these bulldog char don’t quit easily. You’ll need a good reel and a strong arm before heading to Kamchatka. Both your reels and your biceps will get a good workout throughout the day.

Fly Fishing  Mongolia

Fishing Permits – Required and regulated through the outfitter’s annual registration. All northern  river access requires official paperwork via the outfitter’s exclusive partnership with the Mongolian authorities. Your fishing license allows exclusive access to the premier rivers of Mongolia’s north. These rivers are part of a conservation alliance with limited access. As a result of limiting the number of anglers each year, the taimen, trout, pike, and grayling are more numerous and larger than non-protected rivers in other regions. 

Species – Hucho Taimen, Amur Pike, Lenok, Grayling

Key Takeaways – Mongolia offers an unparalleled fly fishing, striking landscapes, excellent camp cuisine, and fully furnished camps all while immersed in a rich nomadic culture.  Ulaanbaatar International Airport has daily connecting flights via Seoul, South Korea. Flight time from Seoul is 3 hours and 30 minutes. From Tokyo the flight is slightly longer at 5 hours and 50 minutes.  Northern Mongolia sits at the top of two of Asia’s major watersheds. The northwestern rivers drain into the Yenisei River and the Arctic Ocean and the eastern rivers drain into the Amur River and the Pacific Ocean. Together, these two rivers represent over 400 miles of taimen habitat conserved in partnership with local communities. Taimen rods: Pack 8wt to 9wt single handed fly-rods or a 7wt switch or spey. Pack a stiff, fast action five weight for casting to arctic grayling and resident lenok trout. For Amur pike, a 6wt or 7wt rod will get the job done. 

 Northern Mongolia sits at the top of two of Asia’s major watersheds. The northwestern rivers drain into the Yenisei River and the Arctic Ocean and the eastern rivers drain into the Amur River and the Pacific Ocean. Together, these two rivers represent over 400 miles of taimen habitat conserved in partnership with local communities

Taimen fly fishing in Mongolia is cathartic, addictive and even life-altering. With every strike, miss, and fish landed, anglers find themselves profoundly stirred from their travels. It seems they are in effect “haunted” from the experience of fly fishing in Mongolia. Year after year, anglers make the pilgrimage back to Mongolia for yet another fly fishing trip of a lifetime. Howling wolves break the silence of the night. The lonesome bugle of elk under an autumn moon stirs the soul. The rivers teem with life including taimen, pike, grayling and lenok. 

Camps are staffed, well-appointed and offer unparalleled creature comforts in stark wilderness. You’ll need a good night’s sleep at camp. The fishing is thrilling, intense, and emotional. Even after you’ve returned home, the craving to fish again in Mongolia is insatiable.  

Sizewise, Mongolian taimen average 20 to 40 inches. (50cm – 1m)  The larger fish are significantly larger near the 55” and above mark. 55 inches breaks down to around 4 and ½ feet. In metrics, that’s nearly 140cm. These are big fish with fiery attitudes. They will mess with your head. You can never predict what they might do when hooked. You’ve got to mentally condition yourself to fight these beasts when the smash happens. 

There are a lot of missed hookups on topwater flies. The larger more experienced fish might tail-slap your fly, toss it around, before deciding to swallow it. Until then, you’ve got to keep your finger off the trigger. Wait for the swallow and set hard. If you miss the hookup, chances are these fish will return a second or perhaps a third time to take the fly. 

These explosive strikes combined with an unpredictable fight on the fly rod challenge anglers to really “play the fish.” Yes, taimen do go airborne and can even tailwalk. They might go vertical on you. Be ready for a fight.  When taimen go deep, you’ll feel the violent headshakes as it charges around the pool and back to the shallows. In the shallows be ready for a quick burst of power as the race around boulder gardens will require quick footwork for both the guide and angler. 

Northern Mongolia is ferociously beautiful. The sky seems to go on forever at an elevation of 5,390”(1645m.) In the western portion, the river courses through limestone and granite canyons for nearly 200 miles. Between these canyons you’ll drift past high steppe, grasslands, and watch the sunlight filter through stands of birch, larch, and willow as you fish one of the world’s premier taimen fisheries. 

More than 500 miles away (804km) on the eastern steppe of the Khentii Mountain Range, another and even longer river 250 miles (402km)  tumbles through lush grasslands and rolling hills punctuated by tall cliffs and Siberian pine forests. High in the Buryat headwaters, explore the world’s first Taimen sanctuary on horseback or opt to float the middle or lower sections of this unspoiled river for an entirely different fly fishing experience.