Angling for prize catches in Himalayan waters

As interest in angling swells and begins to spur travel, we take a closer look at some Himalayan destinations that have become synonymous with this activity. Drawing anglers to the shores of the Saryu, Mahakali and Ram Ganga rivers in Uttarkhand is the mighty indigenous Golden Mahseer; to a lesser extent Goonch or Catfish. The Dibang in Arunachal Pradesh has also lately witnessed some amount of mahseer angling. It's the Brown and Rainbow Trout–introduced to Indian rivers by homesick colonialists–that bring enthusiasts to Tirthan and Barot valleys in Himachal Pradesh.

Tiger Country

My arrival on a late Februray evening at Marchula in Kumaon was met with a great big roar. What a welcome! It emanated from the inky darkness that back-dropped the lantern-lit Himalayan Outback River Lodge, down the well-tended length of which I was politely led to my snug mud-walled and thatch-roofed cottage. Morning revealed my six degrees of separation from what I reckoned was a rather hungry feline–a crystal-clear boulder-strewn Ramganga River, an angler’s delight. And beyond, the dense wilderness of the Jim Corbett National Park buffer zone, from where the striped presence purposefully prowls down to the riverbed ever so often.

Prospecting for Gold

My stay in the midst of such raw beauty was packed with equal amounts of activity and inertia; punctuating village-walks, hikes, wildlife-spotting and bird-watching with long spells of idling. I would have forgone some of the latter for a spot of angling–Himalayan Outback’s longstanding raison d’etre–but for two reasons. I don’t know how; a steadily-easing ban on fishing these waters from three years ago. “Nowadays, our expeditions cast for gold at our camp on the Saryu River in Pancheshwar,” shared Mickey Sidhu, the owning host. Translated, that means fishing for Golden Mahseer. The indigenous sport fish that draws hordes of recreational fishermen from around the world to Uttarkhand’s countless spring- and snow-fed rivers and lakes.

Strong and streamlined as a result of surviving in turbulent Himalayan watercourses, this freshwater tiger (as mahseer is often called) is coveted for the fight it puts up, inviting many a sweat-drenched angler’s unwavering admiration. Holding up a gold-finned trophy is as much a test of skill and strength, as it is of insight into its lifestyle and breeding pattern. I’m informed by Oken Tayang, owner at Aborcountry Travels & Expeditions, that interest for sport angling in Arunachal Pradesh’s still-pristine river systems is also growing, especially in River Dibang. “Mahseer and goonch (catfish) are the most sought after fish here and are increasingly attracting global attention. As such, a sustainable angling policy will go far in arresting illegal fishing, as well as enforcing conservation guidelines. It will also ensure preservation of habitats.”

Born of Nostalgia

The other prize catch that attracts domestic and international anglers to Indian riverbanks is the Wild Trout; particularly the Brown and Rainbow Trout. Introduced into Himalayan coldwater streams by homesick colonialists at the turn of the 19th century, of the two, the brown trout adapted best to its new habitat. The first lot of eggs, from Scotland, was successfully hatched in the Harwan hatchery near Srinagar in Kashmir. A decade later, they were transported to the streams and lakes of other Himalayan States, including Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Nagaland.

Subsequent hatcheries in Barot, Sangla, Chirgaon, Kullu and Tirthan, among others, have resulted in a vibrant and widespread sport fishing scene in these river valleys of Himachal Pradesh. While trout is not quite as aggressive a fighter as the mahseer, landing a trophy trout necessitates an approach equally scientific in nature. “Since live bait is banned in trout fishing, knowledge of insects and flies of the season, terrestrials, and their lifecycles, is essential for mimicking lures in fly-fishing,” says Dilsher Mann of Tirthan Anglers’ Retreat. Patience and experienced gillies (guides), he added, are a further advantage.

Beginner’s Guide to Angling

Recreational Fishing Methods:

Angling by definition is the use of a rod, line, hooks, and bait/lures to fish for sport. Of which spin-fishing and fly-fishing are the most popular methods. Broadly speaking, the former for landing quantity, the latter for casting technique.

Catch and Release:

A conservation practice in sport fishing where fish are unhooked and placed back in the water to prevent overharvesting of target species. Trophy catches are quickly measured, weighed, and photographed before being released. In addition, the encouraged use of barbless hooks reduces damage to fish considerably.

Fishing Permits:

Recreational fishing requires mandatory permits from the Department of Fisheries. These are generally arranged by outfitters and properties offering angling as an in-house activity.

Best Season:

Mahseer (Uttarkhand): October to June, barring extreme winter, Mahseer (Arunachal Pradesh): October to April; Trout (Himachal Pradesh): March to October, barring monsoons.

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