The Fish

Deep in our pristine jungle rivers swim a fish so majestic, so beautiful and so elusive, it has become a holy grail for anglers. The Mahseer invariably represents the ultimate challenge for these sportsmen. To locate this fish is already a triumph. Then comes the challenge of enticing it to take a fly. Finally, the angler has to contend with its extreme strength and dirty fighting style before it can be brought to the river bank, to be lovingly photographed and released, none the worse for wear. In fact, many a time it is the angler who is exhausted, albeit elated! The Mahseer is one of the fiercest fighting freshwater game fish in existence. Pound for pound it had unparalleled strength and endurance. The Mahseer are hard-hitting, incredibly-strong fighters that attain weight in excess of 100 lbs (The golden Mahseer). They are, in short, South East Asia's hyped-up version of a 'tropical trout". These are the fish that comprehensively smashed rods, reels and lines when the colonels and the majors tried to use their salmon gear in the days of the Raj in colonial India. In the end, tackle-makers such as Hardy's were forced to build a new range to cope with Mahseer power. Rudyard Kipling, the author of the classic “The Jungle Book” wrote: "There he stood, the Mahseer off the Poonch, beside whom the Tarpon is a Herring and he who catches him can say he is a fisherman"

Thai Mahseer (Tor tambroides)

Thai Mahseer is found in clear, clean rivers in the mountains. Reported from: Chao Phraya and Mekong basins, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java, and Borneo, Myanmar (Burma), Salween and Mae Klong rivers. Habitat: Medium to large rivers with rocky, sandy and leafy bottom. Prefers highly oxygenated water and dark environment. Adults inhabit pools and runs over gravel and cobble in rivers flowing through undisturbed forests. Juveniles were most commonly collected in or near rapids. Found in small rivers and streams during the dry season. Move downstream at the onset of the rainy season, but generally avoid turbid waters. Mature individuals migrate upstream after two months and spawn in July near the mouths of small streams that the young subsequently ascend. Habits: Stations itself in prime lies where its needs of security, shelter and food it readily served. May forage in shallow areas or close to rapids when it is assured of security. A very shy fish. Omnivorous, feeding on both animal and vegetable matter, at times consuming toxic fruits in flooded forests, making them temporarily inedible. Max size is about 100 cm and 20 kg. Common English names for the Thai Mahseer is: Greater Brook Carp, Malaysian Red Mahseer (Malaysia) and common local names are: Pla Wien or Pla Peang (Thailand), Kelah (Peninsular Malaysia), Empurau/Semah (Sarawak), Pelian (Sabah). Recommended fly equipment for Thai Mahseer: class 5-7, floating lines, 16-20 lb fluorocarbon leader, small streamer flies, wet flies, nymphs and large dry flies.

 Blue Mahseer (Neolissochilus stracheyi)

Blue Mahseer is found in clear, clean rivers in the mountains of Myanmar through Thailand and possibly to the Cardamon Range, Cambodia. Known from Salween, Maeklong, Chao Phraya, Mekong and Peninsular and Southeast Thailand river systems. They inhabit clear, swift-flowing forested streams and rivers. Disappears when human activities degrade aquatic habitats, as seen in other members of the genus. Has 9 branched dorsal-fin rays; presence of black lateral stripe smooth and non-osseous last simple dorsal ray; large patch of tubercles on side of snout and below eye; post-labial groove interrupted medially; color in life bronze back and silvery belly
Habits: Stations itself in prime lies where its needs of security, shelter and food it readily served. May forage in shallow areas or close to rapids when it is assured of security. A very shy fish. Omnivorous, feeding on both animal and vegetable matter, at times consuming toxic fruits in flooded forests, making them temporarily inedible. Max size is about 70 cm and 7 kg. Recommended fly equipment for Thai Mahseer: class 5-7, floating lines, 16-20 lb fluorocarbon leader, small streamer flies, wet flies, nymphs and large dry flies.

Golden Mahseer (Tor putitora)

Inhabit streams, riverine pools and lakes. Found in rapid streams with rocky bottom. Omnivorous, feeding on fish, zooplankton, dipteran larvae and plant matter. Juveniles subsist on plankton while fingerlings feed mainly on algae. Ascend streams to breed over gravel and stones and returns to perennial ponds after breeding. The Golden Mahseer is a very attractive sport fish, with excellent food value. Threatened due to over harvesting and habitat loss in many areas. Found from: Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan to the Salween river system in Mae Hong Son Province in Thailand. Max. Published weight: 54.0 kg but fish over 80 kg have been caught in the Himalayas. Recommended fly equipment for Thai Mahseer: class 7-10, floating lines and Sinking lines, 20-30 lb fluorocarbon leader, streamer flies, wet flies, nymphs and large dry flies. In our river the Karen people have caught Golden Mahseer up to 55 kg on baited hooks.

Mahseer in Thailand