The Inje Smelt Festival is being held around the Soyangho Lake area in Inje, Gangwon-do Province from January 19 to 27, 2013. A major wintertime festival in Korea, the festival is set against a beautiful snow-capped Naeseorak Mountain in the background. The main star of the festival is the bingeo, or smelt fish, that lives only in clear and clean waters. Smelt is found in cold waters (6 to 10 degrees Celsius) of Grade 2 or higher around Sinwol-ri, Sangsunae-ri, Gwandae-ri, Bupyeong-ri, and Namjeon-ri villages in the upper streams of Soyangho Lake. The smelt is a small silvery fish of the Osmeridae family. Because of its beautiful appearance, it is also referred to as the Fairy of the Lake. The fish can live in both seawater and freshwater. In the summer, smelts are often found at the bottom where the water is cooler, but during winter they can be found in great quantity near the surface of the water, and literally anyone can catch them with the simplest of fishing gears.
♦♦ Festival Venue Map
 Soyangho Lake, the venue of the Smelt Festival
With a surface area of 99,174 square meters, Soyangho Lake is one of Korea's largest artificial lakes. The lake is famous for being completely covered in winter by a thick slab of ice, allowing for all kinds of fun activities to take place on its surface. The lake is home to a wide variety of fish in the winter time, including trout, carp, and smelt. Surrounded by picturesque scenery, the lake is a major tourist spot throughout the year. Nearby are Cheongpyeongsa Temple and the surprising rock formations of Obongsan Mountain. In the summer, people come to enjoy water leisure activities; in the winter, the lake really becomes the focal point of the whole region, and crowds gather on its shores to try their hands at ice fishing.
Smelt fishing on ice
Smelt fishing is the most popular event at the festival for both kids and adults alike. The venue is always filled with crowds of people who come to enjoy this fun winter activity. Fish caught can be eaten raw dipped in a vinegar red pepper paste sauce or fried. During the festival period, visitors can have their smelt fried for free. To catch smelt, use a fishing rod that is in good condition. Second, drop the fishing line into the ice hole and sway it up and down a few times to attract the smelt.
Info
Smelt fishing ground (daytime, nighttime)
☞ Hours of operation: Daily, daytime 10:00-17:00 / nighttime 17:00-20:00
☞ Location: Smelt fishing ground Zone 1 through 4 (In nighttime, only Zone 3 is in operation.)
☞ Participation fee: Free of charge
Catching smelt
Smelt fishing is actually pretty straightforward. You first need a fishing rod and some bait. If you aren't prepared, go up to a vending booth and buy a fishing rod (3,000 won) and some bait (4,000 won). Upon arriving on the icy surface, you will see plenty of already available holes. Put the bait onto the fishing hooks, drop the line and wait. Okay, it's not that easy, there are a few technicalities: it is best if the bait hangs about 2 meters deep in the water as the smelt, being shy by nature, will not bite if they see you. Also, instead of keeping the line still, try swaying it back and forth a few times. This will make the bait look alive, catching the attention of smelt.
Tips on smelt fishing!
1. Instead of going in the afternoon, go to the venue in the morning to avoid the crowd.
2. You want to make the ice hole as big as possible so that you can see the fish well.
3. The smelt moves in groups, so you may catch lots of them in some places, while none in others. If you don't get any feeling of a fish biting at the tip of your fishing rod, don't hesitate to transfer to another ice hole. The more you explore, the higher your chances of catching smelt. Usually, fishing is better in the morning. The best depth for smelt fishing is 3 to 4 meters and you may want to check that there is no obstacle on the floor of the lake. So, don't forget. Be smart and continue to explore the best spot if you want to get better chances of finding smelt!
Other things to enjoy
Photo courtesy) Cultural Foundation of Inje County
During the festival period, Soyangho Lake becomes completely covered by a slab of ice 30 to 50 centimeters thick due to the cold Northern winds from Naeseorak Mountain. Big crowds gather at the festival venue to enjoythe winter landscape created by a stunning natural environment and to take part in the thirty or so programs. The opening and closing ceremonies feature a concert and various special events on stage. Throughout the venue, you can buy local specialties and crafts, which add to the fun of the whole festival. You will also enjoy large-scale snow sculptures, ice tunnels, a flying smelt structure and ice forest park, and a smelt lantern using 6,000 or so lights. Come and enjoy fishing with local people at Soyangho Lake using a large net and take a bowl of fish porridge made with caught fish to pray for good fortune in the New Year.
The Inje Smelt Festival is held at the Soyangho Lake during the icy cold winter, so make sure to dress warmly and bring other winter essentials if you are want to enjoy the event longer. Large tents and convenience facilities are organized at the venue for a more pleasant environment.
Local Food
You will, of course, be able to try a wide variety of local dishes to satisfy your appetite. But one of the dishes that people will recommend are the food specialties made of smelt, which is available only in winter time. Chief among these dishes is raw smelt, a no-frills dish consisting of taking a live smelt, dipping it in red pepper paste and swallowing the fish whole. While the smelt is generally not very big, some can still reach about 10cm, so this dish is not for the faint of heart. For those who prefer their meals cooked, another popular dish is fried smelt, in which the smelt is dipped in batter and then fried, and there are many, many more dishes to try like smelt casserole, grilled smelt, smelt porridge, seasoned smelt, etc. Conveniently, there are a good number of restaurants all along the lakeshore to satisfy your cravings. Other delicacies of the region include the trout sashimi and dongdongju, a traditional Korean alcohol made from the fresh waters of Seoraksan Mountain.
∴ Related column
Traditional Liquor and Wines
<Major program date>
Snow sledding
Place: Ice Plaza
Dates: 01/1913-01/26/13 (daily, 10:00-17:00)
Participation fee: 5,000 won (sled rental fee)
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Skating link (daytime, nighttime)
Place: Snowflake Plaza (skating rink)
Dates: Daily, daytime 10:00-17:00 / nighttime 17:00-20:00
Participation fee: 5,000 won
|
Four-wheel bike
Dates: Daily, 10:00-17:00
Place: Snowflake Plaza (Four-wheel bike field ③, ①)
Fare: 12,000 won
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Fish catching at Soyanggang River
Dates: One time daily, 12:00-14:00
Place: Smelt fishing ground area
Participation fee: Free
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Sharing New Year's wish fish porridge
Dates: Once daily, 14:00-16:00
Place: Land Plaza (in front of main stage)
Participation fee: Charged
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Winter Wonderland (for children)
Dates: Daily, 10:00-17:00
Place: Indoor Event Venue (Main Stage Pavilion)
Participation fee: Free
|
Soyangho Lake ice mobile tour
Dates: Daily, 10:00-17:00
Place: Snowflake Plaza area
Participation fee: 5,000 won
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Inje Food Village & Smelt Food Village
Dates: Daily, 10:00-18:00
Place: Land event venue ⑤
Participation fee: Charged by menu item
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More Info
Inje Smelt Festival 2013
☞ Dates: January 19, 2013 – January 27, 2013
☞ Venue: Soyangho Lake area around Injedaegyo Bridge, Nam-myeon, Inje-gun, Gangwon-do
☞ Admission: Free admission (some hands-on programs are charged)
☞ Hours of operation: 09:00-20:00
☞ What to bring: Fishing rod, bait, small folding chair, blanket, etc
* Fishing rods and folding chairs can be purchased at the site.
☞ Price of fishing rod and bait: Fishing pole 3,000 won / bait 4,000 won (only cash)
☞ Price for frying smelt fish: You can get your smelt fish fried free of charge at the site.
☞ Getting there
Dong Seoul Bus Terminal → Inje Bus Terminal
* First bus 06:30, last bus 19:50/it takes about 1.5 hours /Fare: 6,100 won-12,200 won
* From Inje Bus Terminal, take a bus for Sinnam and Hongcheon (about 10 minutes) or a taxi (4,000 won-5,000 won, about 5 minutes)
☞ Website: http://www.injefestival.co.kr
(Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
☞ Website of Inje Culture & Tourism: http://www.inje.go.kr/home/2012_tour/main/main.asp
(Korean, English)
☞ Korea Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
☞ Related column
Hwacheon Sancheoneo (Mount Trout) Festival:Gateway to Korea's Winter Wonderland
Last updated on January 10, 2013
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