Seeing some of the stunning pics of French rivers, it reminded me of rivers in South Korea, when I first picked up fishing 3 1/2 years ago. If only at the time I had fully appreciated fishing for Barbel, it would have been amazing (I only lured fished for Black Bass at the time). To be specific the locals informed me they are only supposed to be Steed Barbel, which is amazing considering the size I was seeing was far larger than the max sizes I saw for this species on various online databases. Certainly were multiple doubles being caught by locals.
Below is an amazing view of a stretch where fishing is not permited. Well know for having a healthy population of barbel and carp.
Slightly further down stream a section packed with Barbel. In the bottom right of the pic, was a hole full with nearly a dozen sizeable fish, again not an area where you can fish, due to it's historical significance. The foot bridge is a replica of what was used in past centuries.
The next two pictures are of a different stretch of the same river. It's barely fished due to only being accessible in a kayak or walking several miles in waders. The later option is the one I took; three days to recover from cramps
, I've never been more exhausted.
As I was seeking a local species called Sogarli, I was only lure fishing. If only I knew what I do now, I would have been after the Barbel that I found in abundance here.
The only fish I caught in a more accessible spot two days previously, was a small river carp while fishing for crappie on a drop shot with a plastic worm. On 4lb line this was one of my most memorable fights. Sorry for the the muddy condition of the fish; I was new to fishing and didn't have an unhooking mat (no one in Korea does that I'm aware of). For such a small fish, the fight seemed to never end as I coulndn't assert any pressure with the light line and UL rod (Daiwa Presso 0.5-5g).
Sorry pics not the best, I only had a very cheap mobile phone at the time, but it's truly an amazing country. No matter how much locals catch and eat, the fish population is still healthy. Likely due to the very low river polution rates. If anyone ever visits, let me know and I can recommend some great spots.