Pyeongchang in Gangwon-do Province is host city of the Winter Olympic Games. Prior to
the international event, the city organized the Pyeongchang Trout Festival to make the
winter truly unforgettable. Let’s take a glimpse of the festival to
enjoy the seasonal beauty.
Pyeongchang is one of the coldest and snowiest areas in Korea. Because of the cold weather,
all the rivers freeze to a thickness of up to 30cm or 12 inches every winter. The trout
festival takes place on a 25,000㎡(square meter) frozen part of Odaecheon Stream in
the city.
"This festival provides many fun winter activities, including open-ice fishing, tent fishing,
and barehanded fishing, which is the most popular activity that takes place twice a
day. It also has various programs for children, so the entire family can enjoy quality time.
"
Offering the unusual experience of ice fishing, this festival draws over 50,000 visitors from
all across the country every year. The first step to catching trout is to make
a hole in the ice. Then drop a baited line below the ice hole. There are some special
tips for trout fishing.
"Fishing requires patience. While waiting, we have to jerk the bait to give fish the
impression that it’s alive. That way, everyone can catch trout."
Fishing is all about waiting... and more waiting. The anglers are waiting for their trout in
all different ways.
"I’m lying down here to see trout swimming through the hole. It’s very interesting."
After gently holding the rod in the cold weather for a while...They get trout they’ve long
been anticipating. Trout are a cold-water fish that live only in the cleanest water
with a translucent quality. Since trout fishing is relatively easy, children can also enjoy
fishing.
"It's a cool experience to come out here, and enjoy something that I really don't get
to do anywhere else. So I think it's pretty cool."
"I'm really excited to be here, excited to catch some fish,...and participate in Korean
culture."
The whole family can engage in this ultimate winter festival, making treasured memories
together.
"I’d like to catch as many trout as possible, but I’m happy regardless as my children
are having fun here. "
"Cause I get to bring my daughters with me and my father, so it make this is into a family
event...so I think it's a lot of fun."
The festival organizers stock the stream with trout every 20 to 30 minutes to enable the
visitors to catch as many trout as possible.
"We release about 4 tons of trout every day, which is about 14 to 15 thousand."
Pyeongchang is the first city in Korea to develop trout farming back in 1965, and now
it's the biggest producer of the fish in the country. The trout at the festival were also
raised in Pyeongchang.
Fishing is not the only way to catch trout at this festival. Visitors can also get them
with bare hands through the noodling event. To participate in the event, visitors have
to wear shorts and t-shirts in the sub-zero weather. Then they have to go into the icy
water to catch trout barehanded. The key secret is to corner the fish and quickly grab it.
My toes are really cold.
"I can eat as many trout as I want here. I came after many failed attempts at fishing."
The real highlight of the festival is eating the freshly caught trout on site, either raw
or grilled.
Cheers
How does it taste?
"Actually get to catch the fish and watch it go through the cycles...and once it's in
your belly, it's nice and full, it's fresh, it's delicious, and here."
"I’ve eaten trout both raw and grilled, but I personally prefer it grilled. The only
thing missing is some alcohol."
The festival offers all different kinds of winter activities. The clean and vast snowfield
in Pyeongchang is a wonderful playground for both children and adults. From snow sledding...to
snow rafting... it’s full of fun activities for families to enjoy quality time
"I’m happy about the variety of activities the festival offers. I will definitely like
to come here again next year. My children had a good time, too."
"I think this festival is very interesting. We didn't catch any fish, we tried, but it
was a good time anyway."
The Pyeongchang Trout Festival is set to take place until the end of February throughout
the PyeongChang Winter Olympics.
Pyeongchang is a beautiful and exciting city offering fun-filled activities for the entire
family. Don’t miss the Pyeongchang Trout Festival and make the most of this cold season.