Most avid trout fishermen from the Western Hemisphere have a set idea of top destinations for travel fishing.
New Zealand, Norway, Canada, Patagonia (Argentina, Chile), Iceland all come to mind.
The following 4 overlooked fisheries have the charm and fish to be able to change your mind.
Korea is a country of dichotomy. You have a modern society blended into the traditions and culture of old. The country is extremely modernized and the country’s infrastructure is an easy transition for Western travelers. When stepping from the top rated, modernized airport in Incheon to the megacity of Seoul; it is hard to see this country as a top eco destination.
With their bullet trains, subways and buses it is easy to travel to any point within the country. However, renting a car is the best way to travel to the fly fishing destinations here.
The driving is similar to America and the road signs are Romanized in English. All of this makes it a breeze to navigate to the beckoning fisheries. Majestic mountains with rushing streams and rivers provide the backdrop for your fly fishing experience. This northern area of the country (Gangwon do) is not as densely populated and looks the part of a wild landscape.
The quarry is the elusive cherry trout (SanCheonOh) that are not seen outside of the Asian continent.
There are also rainbow trout that had escaped their hatcheries decades ago making the Korean rivers and streams their new home.
Lenok once being plentiful are now in danger of becoming extinct. Therefore lenok cannot be intentionally targeted and must be let go, unharmed if unintentionally caught.
There is no separate fishing license or regulations, so all anglers should practice catch and release.
Other species throughout the country exist to test your fishing skills including:
Be sure to stop by in Seoul before embarking on your Korean fly fishing adventure.
Italy’s countryside holds a secret of having what some call, old world trout. One of the other well-hidden secrets is their old world, traditional fishing technique. Still alive today and practiced by some in the region. The anglers use a bamboo rod without a reel. An ancient practice of simplicity and sophistication. Many can find similarities to the now popular Tenkara rods made popular in the US. There are great chances at naturally producing grayling, brown and marble trout. The alpine rivers support big hatches of caddis, mayfly and stoneflies. Your fly box should also include a good number of terrestrials. Enjoy the cuisine and hospitality of Northern Italy’s countryside and villages. In most cases a National “D” Fishing license required but in some regional areas only a regional license is required.
Poland knows a thing or two about fly fishing. The very popular Czech, euro, etc. nymphing techniques is known to many as the polish nymphing technique.
Thought to have originated in Poland ‘s wild landscape to entice their trout to bite. Speaking of wild landscape, you can find yourself sharing the land with the last remaining herd of European bison. There are dedicated no kill zones in Poland that have greatly invested in the natural resources success. With a great population of trout and the varying types of water, the angler is kept entertained. Test your technique, skills and knowledge to fool one of their Brown trout, Grayling, or Danube Salmon to bite.
(Fishing license information for Poland: http://www.pzw.org.pl/home/cms/89/fishing_regulations_in_poland)
Portugal is one of the cheapest European countries to travel to. The country lies right across the pond from the Eastern parts of the US. The beautiful country is vibrant with history and culture.
As a country by the sea, fishing and seafood are a major part of life in Portugal. The northern part of Portugal is where the angler will most likely find themselves. It is an area with beautiful landscape mixed with dreamy vineyards and historic sites. The chance at wild Brown Trout without any other anglers is the allure that may have you coming back again and again. There is a good mixture of big rivers, streams and tailwater. Portugal most famously known for their port also has great wine for a nightcap from a day of adventure. Most trout fisheries open between February 15th and March 1st. The water systems are some of the last wild and untainted areas so it is important to respect the land, water and fish. If you find yourselves in Portugal for the winter, you have a great opportunity of catching European Sea Bass on the fly. (Fishing license information for Portugal:http://www.asmaa-algarve.org/en/blog/fishing/fishing-licences-in-portugal-algarve)
ROAMADS 