INDIANANGLER

Hi guys!

My name's Aznir, from Malaysia. I'm a freshwater angler, with particular penchant for river sportfishes: mahseer, Hampala Barb, snakeheads etc.
I'm also a fishing writer for Malaysian mags.

I'm an active member of another forum, the Malaysia Fishing Net, a 'huge' place with 4.2 million hits last month
But I have been lured to this forum...

For the past few years, I have been making annual pilgrimage to Cauvery River for the mighty mahseer. To me it's the greatest river sportfish in India, if not the world!

so far, I have only been fishing the humpbacked mahseer of Cauvery. I'm hoping to find out more about the mahseers, notably the greyhound/golden mahseer of the north.

My handle? Well, I 'stole' it from John Gierach (Trout Bum). I'm a jungle river addict!

Congrats Bopanna, for starting this forum. Looking forward to 'meet' you guys!!

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Hi Junglebum,

I am chuffed to have a Malayasian aboard as I have a very vested interest - could you please give me links to online tackle shops in Malaysia?

Also, would it be possible to get a Shimano Beastmaster or Nexave uptide rod in Malaysia?

Thanks.

Rustam

Hi Junglebum,
I'm hoping to come out to Malaysia in a couple of winters time. Where abouts are you based, and where is the best place for fishing?
I assumed I would visit the peninsula, but perhaps I need to go to Borneo?
Let us know when you are coming to India and I'm sure Bops and myself (if I'm there at the time) will help you to get amonst the mahseer.
regards,
Steve

Hey Rustam/Steve;

Sorry for late reply. Been in and out of the jungle. It's a dirty job but someone has to do it

Shimano beastmaster; can be found here in Malaysia. Let me find out more re the price. Uptide rods are 'unknown' here! I got mine (Shimano) for the mahseer, from the UK. But there's myriad rods here that may fit the bill. I have used popping rods (8.5 to 9 ft, albeit a bit more stiff) for casting the big ragi baits in the Cauvery, no sweat.

For reels, our big choice is Penn Spinfisher 8500 or 9500, for spinning. Mite heavy, but for baitfishing that's okay. The drag's a monster and gearing's bullet proof! Some of us even upgrade the stuff,, an approach borrowed from the gT popping gang. My Penn's drag now can now break the pharygeal tetth off Mr Tor!

Anyway, if you want to chat with a very knowledgeable guy on all sorts of tackle, try Uncle Bob, fishing tackle dealer (ubobmy@yahoo.com)

Steve,

Quite a few placs to fish here in Malaysia, depending on what you are looking for. For freshwater, we have the red Malaysian mahseer. They dont grow as m=big, but the rivers are smaller and full of rocks/timber snags. Just as big a challenge! The best place is in this river called Tahan, in our National Park. The mahseer runs to about 20-lb. You need 20-lb line, abrasion resistant. Size 1/0 - 2/0 suicide hooks will do, but strong.

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Hi JB,

Thanks for the heads-up. Will contact Uncle Bob. Problem with getting the uptide rod from U.K. is that it exceeds their maximum parcel length limit.

Rustam

Yeah, too right! I have been using lately the 9-ft 2 piece rods (equal length). Makes the rod case shorter too! I left the Shimano uptide 10 footer at Bhimeshwari, cos its too cumbersome to lug about!

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Hi JB,
where is that National Park?
What is the best time of year?
thanks,
Steve

Owen,

Where exactly is this Wasi lake? Near Galibore? Will they accept non-India-resident members?

Actually, I'm tickled by the mrigal and giant murrel; never caught the former, and the murrel is always interesting.

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Rustam,

Just got word from my team mate: he's booked the Cauvery for mid December. Probably, we'll be in Bangalore on 15th Dec morning, probably at The Park Hotel as always. I know it's a long way off, but i'm very forgetful, and you probably have better memory than me! So, I hope we cam, er, probably meet then

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Aznir,

The WASI lake is in the Shivsamudram area up-river of Galibore.

[img][img]http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a6/RHB65/WASImap.jpg[/img][/img]

I am not sure about them accepting foreign members but my money is that they will and probably at the same rate that they charge us locals, namely, Rs.10,000/- for a life membership. Membership details can be found at www.wasiindia.com Let me know what sort of membership you would be interested and I can get you a reply. Alternatively, you could e-mail them.

15th December sounds good. I may have to go up north in December but that will probably be sometime closer to Christmas. The Park Hotel isn't that far from my place. Look forward to meeting up - probably arrange a small get together of some experienced WASI members, so that they could tell you more about the fishing here. Date noted in the calender because the less said about my memory the better.

Rustam

Rustam,
If memory serves, Shivsamundram is a good ways downriver from Bhimeshwari. So this WASI lake is not depicted on the map? Also, the Shimsha comes in just a few furlongs beyond Sambhar pool (I've trudged upriver to it) way closer to Bhimeshwari and certainly not beyond Dodhmakli as shown. Is this map off kilter for a reason? To confuse those damn outsiders?
Regards,
MM

Now this outsider is confused!

I have fished the stretches from Galibore (Crocodile Pool and Mudrekal) up to Doddamakali. I have not heard of any lakes nearby.

Rustam, from your map, the lakes seem to be at that hydro generation scheme?

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Guys,

Maybe I can be of some help. I have a Survey of India map of the whole stretch. It was quite confusing till I sorted it out on the map. Will find, scan and post it for all to see. Might take some time though....

Regards,
Mighty Marlin.

Hi Akshay,

I was working on a map generated from google earth. I should be putting up the images soon. Shows forbes sagar, canal etc very clearly.

If you do have gps co-ordinates of different angling locations please post them so that I can mark them on the map.

Bopanna