Smash and grab! Fishermen at South Korean winter festival demonstrate the easiest way to land a trout

By GARETH FINIGHAN

The world's biggest ice rink? Anglers dig holes into the frozen river during an ice fishing competition at the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival earlier today

As any angler will tell you, fishing for trout is a sport that requires an abundance of expertise, specialist equipment, skill and patience.
Unless of course you're a resident of Hwacheon in South Korea - in which case you simply whip the fish fresh out of the water with your bear hands.
Thousands of eager fishermen descended on the frozen waters of the Hwacheon stream today at the start of the Hwacheon Sancheoneo (Mount Trout) Ice Festival.

Fill it with fillet: The week-long festival which has been running for ten years, attracts around one million visitors

The festival, which attracts around one million visitors each year, celebrates the abundance of freshawater mountain trout that flood the waters of the northern province at this time of year.
But rather that tempt the fish with a line and fly, these anglers cut out a hole in the deep ice and plunge their hands into the freezing waters in order to grab their prize. Samples of the delicacy are then eaten raw or grilled.

Waiting game: A young angler releases his line into the water

Fish fingers: A child displays a trout she caught through a hole in the river. The fish, known locally as Queen of the Valley, is highly prized in the region

Ironically, the fish-feeding frenzy takes place just a few miles from the border with North Korea - where millions are currently suffering from starvation due to failed harvests and poor farm management.
Endemic to Gangwon-do Province, the trout lives only in clean, fresh water with a temperature below 20 degrees Celsius throughout the year. The trout is called the 'Queen of the Valley' for the beautiful markings on its sides.
Set in a landscape of snow-capped mountains and ice sculptures and even an ice castle, the festival also offers such activities as ice sledding, ice tubing and a winter fireworks display on ice.

Popular spot: The thick ice is able to support hundreds of fishermen at one time

Plenty more fish in the sea: The waters are well-stocked with trout at this time of year

In the bag: A young angler shows off his haul of fish

Fun for all the family: This youngster wasn't keen on plunging her arms into the water and instead took a more conventional approach to fishing

source: dailymail