INDIANANGLER

Hi Guys,

Last May I went to New Caledonia for GT popping. One evening, over some spirits on the boat I started talking to David ( LPB charter Operator) about fishing in India and invariably the topic rested on Masheer!
David was rather excited about the mighty fresh water fish and I invited him over to India to fish the Ganges .
I picked him up from the New Delhi Airport on the 17th October Morning and found ourselves in a jeep 18th at day break driving from Hardwar to the upper Ganges.
We spent 5 days on the river, rafting, camping and moving from spot to spot without one single bite. No fish sighted, no chase nothing ….nothing. WE were casting from day break to noon and afternoons to sun down sometimes even in the nights.
We started to doubt our capabilities as anglers . Endless questions and theories on the migration pattern, are they resident do they disappear once the water cools down to lower altitude??I Is the Tehri dam’s opening and closing of sluice gates 3 times a day causing tides yes .. tides low tide high tide 2 meters!! Changing the feeding pattern of the fish??
David wanted to catch at least one fish among us so that he can see what we were after.
On the last day just before packing at around 5 .30 in the evening the guide pestered us to make 5 casts each. We dragged ourselves to the the river and 3rd cast David hooked up and I followed both landing miniature versions of the Mighty Masheer hardly 3 pounds .
At least David got to see the beautiful fish . Other than that the experience on the river was great with some nice rafting experience. Lots of wildlife. Lots of quality time around the bon fire talking nonsense that sounds like sense when you are high.
Summary : Fishing is just that, no amount of planning can guarantee you fish.
Note: I should have consulted IG , M. Ken, and the rest of our members who know the North Indian Rivers better.
Will we go again ?? you bet!


Our rescue buddy

URL=http://img338.imageshack.us/i/mash1a.jpg/][/URL]


A view from the camp



David persisting

URL=http://img217.imageshack.us/i/mash4.jpg/][/UR

Our Camp




The Gods didn't smile










Cheers,
Jeen

Hi Jeen,

Going where you went in search of the great golden mahseer in itself is a joy and catching a fish becomes secondry. I am glad for you and David that you guys landed atleast something. Just for records, a Indian made spoon works much better when you target these fishes rather than our fancy lures. Tobby is the best bet.

Cangratulations once again on a very nice fishing trip..

Regards,

Ali.

Nice pics Jeen,

You are right. M Ken, IG and the rest of the Delhi gang could have sent you to some of the great spots up north. On the second and third pic the colour of water seems a little murky.

All the best for the next trip.

Cheers,
Apoo

Hello Jeen,

Were you Fishing at Kaudiala, upsream of Rishikesh?

Thanks for sharing your nice Report and very Nice pics. Are you in Mumbai presently?

Regards,

Arun

Ali,
We did have some spoons but we ere told they were too big.

Apoo,
Yes the water gets coloured evey time they open the dam and that was three times a day!

Arun,

I am back in Abu Dhabi now. Yes were fishing up stream started from byas ghat .

Jeen

Hi Jeen, just read your report and the one thing I noticed that doesn't do well for lure fishing in rivers is 'coloured' water.

Not sure when the N. Indian Mahseer season is, but it looks to me like the water was all wrong?

Anyways great report and look forward to some responses from anglers who fish in that neck of the woods.

Regards,

Mighty Marlin.

Next time Jeen. That's the beauty of fishing. In water like that I would have thought jointed rapalas would have been the best.

J13 Firetiger / Perch? What say Mken?

Hi Jeen,

When you hook a mahseer it is not the size which really matters it is the fish. Mahseer itself is a beauty to hook. Congrats for the catch and happy fishing.

Spoonangler.

WOW great thread, beautiful photos.

Apoo! I love the silver, gold and all the trouts. Especially the brook trout.

Hi jeen,

Try Rapala J 9 + sizes... Fire Tiger & Trout patterns do the best, but there is also scope for other patterns... crazy stuff happens on the water...
For mahseer, fish the rapids or rocky mid depth pools (3 ft to 10ft depth).

If you want to fish the deep slow pools with calmer waters, use a golf ball size bait. Atta will work on mahseer, and carps, where as meat will work for goonch and mulley. Have a wire leader for the meat eaters and heavy gear for the goonch!!!

The Ganga is heavily ground baited near ghats for with atta and meat (morbid)!!!

When are planning a trip for Mahseer next? Come up to Bhakra!!!

Cheers,
IG

Hi guys,

I did try everything. I think it was mostly the murky water that was the reason.

See pic of lures used.



URL=http://img267.imageshack.us/i/masheer002.jpg/][/URL]



IG will come over next year rest assured.


Jeen

Punjabi Bagh... hahahahahaha!!!!

Lovely pics Jeen.
Beautiful scenery & definately a place to relax.

I love the Marlboro lure, but I dont think it would catch any fish. Did it catch you Jeen ?



Have you been out fishing in the UAE lately. Saw one of your sons online on the 'fish emirates' forum, but didnt get any reply from him.

regards,
Keyur

Hmm,

So marlboro is also coming up with lure huh? Good. i guess they look like floating minnows. Jeen, you should have use the whole pack of marlboro and used a lighter as a sinker and guess what you would have got some smokin GT's all around you :)

Cheers.

Hi Keyur,

Not been out here. Will make a trip this friday hope to catch some king fish. The cigettetes - yes since the last 30 years. Dezz can you PM me your CV.


Jeen

nice snaps dude i hav been to utrancal ,,,and i hav alwaays desired to fish there ,,beautifull area.
merwyn

Great Catch.
Keep it up