Chris Summers had a trip to the NE Himalayas in May/June 2006. Here's what he made of it...
The Mighty Mahseer | Specialist World
The Mighty Mahseer
Adventuring anglers have travelled to the Indian Himalayas for many years in search of monster fish that can smash the strongest of tackle. The fish in question is the Himalayan golden Mahseer. Astounded at the sheer size and power of these magnificent fish, some anglers just have to pit their wits against these shy and elusive creatures.
During the early nineteenth century adventure anglers armed with the strongest sea and game tackle available to them at the time tackled the rivers of north India but with poor results and plenty of straightened hooks, so express telegrams were send to the major tackle manufactures in the UK for extra strong tackle to be made to beat these supercharged fish. The tackle soon reached the hands of just a few Mahseer extremists across India and the rest was history. Giant fish of nearly 100lb were captured and recorded in those early days when specimen fish were for glass cases, not for putting back where they belong. Today it's a different story, with many of the native rivers being dammed and historical spawning grounds and routes cut off to the fish.but this doesn't stop them. Mahseer can still be found in many Indian rivers and if you are lucky and time your trip correctly to meet the fish as they pass through known areas in search of spawning grounds, you can have a bumper catch as the fish stop, rest and feed in the deep pools of the Ramganga.
To go to India in search of Mahseer yourself is not as difficult as you might think, there are still many places left where the fish thrive in rivers still untouched and uncharted by any angler, but to do this you will need detailed knowledge of the river system and the fish that inhabit the certain hotspots where you can expect them to be. There are many tour operators out there who can offer fishing packages but beware of amateur company's who will be able to take you to such places but will be no help with fishing. This is not what you want when you are unaware of what the river holds, and/or if you are on a tight schedule, so make sure the company you use has a good track record of fishing in these areas, or at least a few photos of fish on their website. It is now easier than ever to get cheap flight. You can be in Delhi 7 1/2 hours after leaving London and in the mountains 6 hours after that. I can assure you it's a far nicer drive than the mini bus for 15 hours on the way to France! A flight with a good operator will cost you around £360 so very reasonable rates for travelling a good distance.
The main style of fishing you will encounter in north India is mainly done with spinners, anything natural looking, especially silver and copper Mepps in sizes 2,3 and 4. These were perfect for every fish I tempted. Another method to fish for Mahseer is to use fresh live baits fished static on the bottom of deep pools. Collecting the bait can be a great fun, as you catch a variety of small mahseer, blackfish, carp of many species and lots of other strange looking creatures - or just give some of the local kids the whip or rod for an hour and they will do the rest.
Atta or Ragi paste plays a large part in mahseer fishing. This is super sticky paste made from flour and spices and kneaded into a very stiff mix, then moulded around a big single hook or a smaller treble. In certain areas of the river the fish are fed in sanctuary pools. These are usually found at various holy places and temples across the Himalayas, and are a wonderful sight for any angler, that is if you can resist the temptation to fish such a place, for the mahseer are left untouched and the fish fed every day as a sign of great respect for these amazing fish.
The Himalayas are rich with fish and there are many different species to target from fly fishing for Mahseer and trout to cat fishing for the pre historic Goonch catfish; it can all be found in the Himalayas home of the snow. Our trip was a super mix of great fishing locations, totally untouched by any one before us and breathtaking walks, through some of the most stunning scenery I have ever seen. We went for the two person option, so our group could stay mobile. We fished for 11 days in total, but found the river in a poor state at the beginning of the trip, with a colour that could only be described as chocolate brown, not ideal for a sight feeding predator. The trip was a total success with both people in the party catching good fish. My friend Gary had one of 18lb and two slightly small specimens, and I had a handful of small fish between 2lb and 5lb, but managed a 42lb Mahseer on the penultimate day, so I was happy to say the least.
The fishing at the time of year we visited was hard due to heavy rains in the mountains before we arrived, but this is not normal for this river if you travel between October and May/June. You will usually find a river with water so clear and warm the fish can be seen at very close quarters which makes fishing the north for me more exciting than just sitting behind a rod for hours watching the tip... and you can't beat the first run of a Mahseer, it's something that can't be described. You just have to experience it yourself, and I promise, you won't be disappointed!
Our entire trip was excellently organized and left us to worry about nothing, other than catching a few fish. The setting was amazing and the camping facilities first class. Anyone who likes Indian cuisine should try eating the best tasting curry's you have ever encountered in the most beautiful settings you will ever see; truly mind-blowing.
Tackle and rigs
The tackle you need for Mahseer fishing is very simple. Firstly you need a good medium to heavy spinning / carp rod anything from 2lb - 3lb tc, in 8 -10ft, this will be more than enough, and will be all you need for both spinning and Atta paste fishing. Reels need to be big enough to hold a good 200m of 20lb line but light enough for you to hold all day while out spinner fishing, I have always found good quality 60 size bait runners are perfect for every situation you will find, plus they double up and allow you to stop and bait fish for an hour or two after spinning for the morning session, so one reel for two jobs.
Hooks and spinners are easy to arrange, get yourself a good selection of silver, bronze and gold Mepps in size 3, 4 and 5, these are great for fooling fish in broken water and for working amongst the rapids, rocks and old trees you will find lining the river.
Small plugs are also used but only the smallest lures I had with me saw any action, and again these were totally natural in their color and in sizes ranging from 3 inches up to 5 inches. Hooks are very simple. A good, strong, heavy-wire saltwater long-shank hook in 1/0, 2/0 and 3/0 are perfect for paste fishing with singles, trebles also play a big part in paste fishing, especially when small fish are present, so make sure you have some super strong trebles in size 1 and 2. These will be all you need for this style of angling.
Getting there
Getting to India is a really simple, all you need is a valid passport, plus your visa. This costs about £30 and can be obtained from the Indian consulate.
Flights can be taken from all the major UK and European airports and will cost around £360 return - some operators will also take your tackle and protective rod tubes at no extra cost so ask before you book your flight and save yourself any shocks at the check in desk.
The flights are around 7 1/2 - 8 hours, and the time difference is 5 hours ahead of us, so no bad jetlag to worry about.
You will also need to consult your doctor for your jabs and arrange for a course of malaria treatment before you go. The Himalayas are a good area for malaria, as you are fairly high and although I have never really seen a mozzy while fishing, you do need to go through Delhi where it can be very hot with lots of mozzys, so take all the proper precautions and you will not have any problems.
Season and timing
The season in the Himalayas is quite a small one with the monsoon rains washing away the roads and most habitable areas during this time. The season runs from October to June, so a great place to visit if you are looking to beat the winter blues and catch a few while your mates are still blanking back home.
Trip details
I traveled with TheWildlifeTravels.com, they can tailor-make your trip to the exact requirements, and will take care of all the little things like the guides, permits, baits, food, drink and all your travel needs to and from your chosen destination. They can also organize different nature safaris, including viewing tigers and elephants in many of the national parks that are scattered around the country, so have a look at their website before you plan your next holiday.
India is a another world compared to where we live, it has a mass of culture and history that will astound even the most adventurous among you, but if you like great fishing, food, wildlife and people, Get yourself booked up!
