Hi Everyone,
With the change of month it seems my luck has also changed. The previous failures to land any fish on previous occasions were taking its toll and the malaise of self doubt was some how creeping in. The best day to fish in Powai is the day when the dam adjoining the Powai garden starts overflowing. The overflow started on 30th June 2007 but as you all must have seen on the news channel that the rain fall in Mumbai on that day was so horrible and all the roads were converted in small rivers it was impossible to reach the lake. This frustration was also compounded due to my inability to join Santosh, Yaj, Godfree and Charlmichal for a day trip to river Kondalika due to some unavoidable circumstances. (Though it proved a blessing in disguise, as due to heavy rains the river was flooded and it was not fishable. Every one has to wade through the flooded streets of Mumbai to reach their homes. It was only santosh who got a bite but how and where, I will let him elaborate.)
Next day (1st July 2007.) I along with my driver Jawwad (who has been converted to religion ANGLING by handing over a rod and after experience of joy after landing some fishes. Now he is the one who tells me what to do and what not to do while fishing.) Interred the lake while sun was still not up. It was still raining and the overflowing water cascading down the dam was like music in the calm early morning. The lake was full with anglers who have not gone home the previous night. After lot of speculation and haranguing one spot was selected and we caste our first hook as it was light enough to see. Till 3’O clock there were no bites but after that we caught two Mirgals of each 5 lb. At abut 8 O’ Clock as we were planning to stop but lo and behold, the float dips nicely and on strike the line started ripping the reel like mad. With the first run the fish takes about fifty meter line off the reel. The weight on the rod is tremendous and despite the medium drag the fish is taking the line like mad. My god, it is a biggi. After 15 minutes we both are game and determined. After say about 25 minutes we both are still game but a bit tired. Till now the fish is playing in the clear water but suddenly the line started arching towards a small rocky mound over witch the oxygen pump is situated. I am trying to control the fish but the bugger is determined to circle the snag. Oh god., what to do now. The only thing I can do is to minimize the drag in the hope that the line will not snap due to some sharp edge of the rock. As the line is slacken the fish makes a determine run and circle the mound. Suddenly the line goes limp. The fish is gone man the fish is gone. Jawwad is near tears. The only agonizing word a angler fear most comes on his lips—It is gone sir. As I start reeling the line in there is a small jerk and again the line goes limp. Suddenly there is another jerk and then another jerk. It can not be the fish. The jerks are nothing what I have experienced in my entire angling life. Only immediate vicinity around my boat due to the light of patromex is visible otherwise it is pitch dark. There is a boat tied beside the mound and one Mr. Jawed Ansari, one of my friend and the best angler I have ever met is sitting there. I started calling him like mad in the hope to ask him to bang his boat so as if the fish is still hooked it will again move in the clear water but he is not picking up the phone. As I try to reel in the line there are again some jerks and again I let go the line the line goes limp. The excitement factor is at its peek and to be very honest all limbs of my body are shivering due to the mixed emotions of disappointment, anticipation and uncertainty. Suddenly there is a shout calling my name and asking me to let go the line. Jawed has caught hold of my line and he is controlling the fish with his bare hand. Oh god the fish is still there. Meanwhile Jawwad has called up the club asking them to send a boat immediately. At lost after a wait which seems like an eternity the boat arrives and takes me to Jaweds boat. The fish is almost dead by now after the fight and it is landed without any trouble. It’s a Catla of 33 lb. (weighed later.) This one is the fish of my dream. Man am I not happy.
Shot at 2007-07-01
Shot at 2007-07-01
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must have been an experience
![[smilie=smack.gif]](./images/smilies/smack.gif "smack")
![[smilie=spank.gif]](./images/smilies/spank.gif "spank")
.. Catla of 33 lb, 
![[smilie=superkewl.gif]](./images/smilies/superkewl.gif "superkewl")
![[smilie=madking.gif]](./images/smilies/madking.gif "madking")
.. the only lucky angler among all of us was Hussaini to get one nice 5 Kg. Hybrid...