One sunny winter day in Korea

The morning:

As always, everyone met at the fly shop at 6:00 AM sharp drank cup of Korean instant coffee to start another exciting day. Today’s destination was at Bonghwa creek with five experienced anglers Mr. Dakahara, Mr. Song, Mr. Byun, I, and Mr. Lee. In the van on the way, everyone feels safe and comfortable as always. Mr. Lee who is the guide drives skillfully like he does fishing: He knows all the roads specially the short cuts. When we arrive to the town near by the destination for the breakfast, I heard there was an old well that is famous. It was a starting point of Nackdong river. I walk there to look and found bunch of nice size rainbows and Yulmooks in the water moving graciously under the crisp morning sun light. That made me more eager to get ready for fishing.

On the way in the van:

On the way, some of us were already excited about the day can’t help to talking about the fishing with the opening comment of Mr. Dakahara recent acquire of the bamboo rod from Japan in auction. Although he didn’t bring that rod to this trip, he explained his experience with bamboo rod and how skilled craftsman approach to make such a high-end rod. He also was showing his antique Hardy and Shimano reels along with Bamboo fly box. It was nice touch that he had a small colorful plastic tool to hold the line-end for each reels. His equipment was always well kept and organized. During our conversion, I realized that we were already driving for over 3 hours. Out side was already bright and sunny weather was welcoming us to the Bonghwa creek for wonderful fly fishing.

The mid day:

I decided to group with Mr. Lee and Mr. Song to watch and learn of their experienced skill. We walked up the stream and share the casting locations and continue to walked up the stream. When I see Mr. Lee’s casual and comfortable fishing outfit, it always seems full of confidence and experience. It was a beautiful day to hike up the streem. After about 2 hours into hiking and casting, I was able to land with a 20 centimeter Yulmook in the far end of deep flowing water. I used #16 light brown parachute since I saw some of them hatching.

In the afternoon:

The end of the day, overall result was rather slow, but most senior Mr. Dakahara caught two 40 centimeter yaulmock (Korean native trout) with his #16 white parachute. Through out the day, most of us only saw a group of fish moving about in the deep water trying to get away from us. During the end of the day assessment, we were blamed on early arrivers that were already there fishing spooked all the fishes. This time of the year many of the creeks are frozen and the other popular Korean native trout fish called “Sanchun” don’t carry beautiful color as spring and summer season, so most of the fly fishermen prefer to go after yaulmock at this location Bonghwa or Naerinchun, and the locations are limited and it gets too crowded.

Bonghwa was short span creek that located next to the large road, so it wasn’t as sacred as some other famous creeks in Korea. This was my second trip to Bonghwa and I enjoyed the weather and scenery. After the day, I once again realized that I am starting to enjoy the activity of fishing and learn from the pros not necessary of catching the fish because if I only concentrate on catching, it isn’t much enjoyable hobby. The variable is what makes this hobby more exciting. Besides lately, I am much enjoying of learning tying flies. It isn't so easy yet, but with this additional fun choir, makes fly fishing much more enjyable.
After the quick dinner, we head back in rather fast speed because it was a weekday with no traffic. When we arrived to Seoul, we all gather at the shop and talked about the next trip.