Mahseer Fly fishing
Mahseer Fly fishing is one of the fishing traditions inherited from the
British who ruled India and Burma; and in the recent times, has experienced
a facelift complements to modern fly fishing tackle, improved fishing
techniques and new developed fly patterns.
Fly fishing for Mahseer is not for the faint of heart. Robert Howitt, in
Sports Illustrated wrote: “The angler’s first encounter with the Mahseer is
one that he never forgets: A great wrench on the rod heralds its take, then
the ratchet screams on a fast emptying reel – the sensation is electrifying.
Few freshwater fish will set of with such speed, fight for so long and
strike both despondency and joy to the heart of the adversary.”
Many of our clients have compared the take of a Mahseer to a strike from a
big Bonefish. Panicking and trying to stop the fish in its first run
normally results in a broken leader, the best is to try to stay cool and let
the fish run with not too much drag on the reel and run after it as fast as
you can until the first run is over, and then increase the drag and start to
fight it. You have to be prepared for a second or a third long run, many
Mahseer has been lost due to overconfident anglers, who thought that the
battle was already won.
Good presentation skills are also required and it’s very important to
approach the fish very slowly, in our rivers upstream fishing has produced
the best results, as the Mahseer’s head and sight field is up- stream
facing. Wearing dull or green colors is very important; the Mahseer is a
very shy fish. We have also noticed that loud voices can spoke them, so keep
this in mind.
At first glance the rivers we fish will remind you of a typical Trout river;
boulder strewn, gravel and sand bottoms, deep winding pools, undercut banks,
small rapids followed by fast riffles. Only on looking closely you will
find what you are up against, big Thai and Golden Mahseer. Wearing top grade
polarized sunglasses is essential to be able to spot the fish in the river.
You will also be amazed to see the large population of the fish here.
Many anglers make the mistake of fishing the pools to fast. Mahseer can be
found even in very shallow areas of the pool, that many anglers think will
not hold any fish at all, so fish out the pools slowly and try to cover as
much area as you can with your fly. Many times the strike comes just when
the fly lands on the surface, so be prepared, don’t lose control of the fly
line, a line loop around the rod but or around the reel can be a very
unpleasant experience. Also keep in mind during the Mahseer’s first fast
run; try to keep the rod tip high to clear the line and leader from being
cut by underwater rocks and boulders.
One last warning, Mahseer fly fishing can be very addictive.
Henry Sullivan Thomas, in “The Rod In India” 1897 wrote; “In my own opinion,
and in that of other whom I have met, the Mahseer shows more sport for its
size than the Salmon. The essence of sport, or in other words the enjoyment
of a pursuit lies; I take it, in the exhibition of superiority there in,
whether of skill or courage, not the exhibition for others to see, but the
difficult attainment of it for our own satisfaction. It would be a tame
affair to the pork butcher to a village pig, but to spear the “mighty boar”
is quite another thing”.
If you have an interest in reading more about Mahseer fishing in the old
days we recommend these classic books:
The Rod In India By Henry Sullivan Thomas 1897, available at: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rod-India-Henry-Sullivan-Thomas/dp/1845741838
Circumventing the Mahseer By J. MacDonald, available at: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Circumventing-Mahseer-Other-Sporting-India/dp/8185019975
Major A St J MacDonald is the doyen of Himalayan and Burmese angling and his
book is recognized as a classic on the subject. It is now reprinted for
anglers who would like to relive their golden memories of "Ye Fine Fishing
of Ye Past" and for the younger generation of aspiring anglers who need to
learn all there is to know about the magnificent Mahseer..
Man-Eaters of Kumaon by: Jim Corbett, available at: http://www.amazon.com/Man-Eaters-Kumaon-Oxford-India-Paperbacks/dp/0195622553
Mahseer Fly Fishing
