Angling Fishing Tour

 

Angling and fishing are two remarkable adventure activities among the many others that are offered in the India. They are specially suited to the Indian sub continent because of innumerable rivers that course through the expansive Gangetic Plains, and originate in the upper reaches of the magnificent Himalayas. The clear rushing waters of these various rivers and their tributaries provide excellent fishing and angling holiday spots that are captivating in their crisp and clean mountain beauty, as well as rich breeding ground of a number of different varieties of fish. The adventurous settings for angling and fishing range from the majestic Himalayan valleys, snow-fed streams and high altitude lakes to the wide coastal stretches of the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.

 

The Indian water world is home to a large variety of fish. Some of the favorite fishing prey here are the trout, mahseer and shark. The Mahseer is the toughest fresh water fighting fish in the world, and India is the only breeding ground for it. Nowhere else in the world does this hardy fish ever breed, though in India you can find all four of its varieties? The Golden, the Silver, the Silver Grey and the Black Mahseers are all prey worthy of any fishing aficionado’s attention.

 

The challenge of hooking a Mahaseer is a tremendously exciting one for this fish is a fierce fighter that weighs over a hundred pounds and has a matching reputation for its quicksilver litheness. Angling Holidays of the redoubtable Mahaseer requires skill, strength, practice, determination and speed. It is rightfully called the ‘tiger of the water’ and puts up a reckonable fight. The best time to angle the Mahseer is when they return after breeding to chase the shoals of minnows.

 

There is also the choice of attempting to angle for the crafty trout or the menacing shark in the rivers and seacoasts of India. Trout is found in two different varieties namely, the brown trout and the rainbow trout, in India. Hooking a trout requires you to be on your guard and prompt use of your wits. Fishing and angling in India now go hand in hand with conservation, and after having caught your fish, shot your picture and recorded its weight it is best to release it into the water again. The Indian Protection laws enforce that conversation of animal life should be mandatory with this adventure sport. Anglers from all over the world come for trout fishing to the fast flowing clear water streams and high altitude lakes of the upper Himalayas.

 

Basic equipment required for an angling and fishing adventure holiday would include rods, line, hooks, spoons, and reel. There are excellent tented accommodation facilities provided by adventure tour operators amid the beautiful Himalayan environs and riverbanks of India. Otherwise, forest rest houses or the forest bungalows also make for a good night’s stay when on an adventure holiday in India.

The fresh water lakes like the Dodital surrounded by the Himalayan peaks are excellent for the catch regardless of the season. The Cauvery Fishing Lodge near Mysore is renowned for Mahseer. The hill stations of Munnar are ideal for fishing in the streams of Kerala. However, Kashmir remains the angler’s paradise where early mornings and late evenings are best times to indulge in this sport. For those who want to combine it with another sport, there is the option of adventure trekking, which can be clubbed with angling, and you can fish in one of many high altitude lakes that are 14,000 ft. above sea level.

 

Kashmir has been rightly called angler's paradise, with a network of rivers and streams as well as high altitude lakes all abounding in trout both brown and rainbow. Trout fishing in Kashmir is far, far cheaper than it is in ant other part of the world. And most importantly, the Department of Fisheries, which controls angling in the valley, works hard to ensure that there is no depletion of stock by indiscriminate fishing which means that you can revel in angling in ideal conditions.

 

Kashmir' fabled natural beauty needs no introduction here. Crisscrossing the state are the well-known Sind and Lidder rivers, their tributaries and a silvery network of smaller rivers and streams. The geographical variation along the course of each river is immense, affording endless possibilities for the angler. Nearer the source of each river, the gradient is steeper and the waters faster flowing. The landscape is generally hilly, with dark brooding pines towering all round. As the river runs its course, the gradient evens out and the flow of water loses its torrential force. You are now in open countryside where the horizon is wide and sweeping and where trees are willow poplar and walnut. Do not be deceived into thinking that fishing in Kashmir is the somewhat somnolent sport that it is elsewhere for the trout is a crafty fish and you will have to practice all your skill to get it to bite. Early mornings and late evenings are the best times for fishing and in these quiet hours, the illusion that the world is yours will be heightened. If using one type of fly does not meet with success, you will have to experiment with another type. And cast and recast repeatedly. To increase your chances of success you might like to shift to another spot after all, your permit allows you to wish at any point in one beat which measures two kilometers and it ensures that nobody else is allowed the use of that beat for the days allotted to you. But in case you need information or assistance you are not alone. The beat guards-there are two per beat-are familiar with the habits of the fish and are there to advise you, should you wish.

 

Rivers and streams are divided into approximately 100 beats, most of which are within a two hour drive from Srinagar. Most beats have nearby a Department of Fisheries or a J & K Tourism hut, at which you can stay overnight. You require a permit to fish and not more than one permit is given on any beat. One permit allows you to catch six fish. And as experience has shown reels and flies are all that are needed. Spoons and spinners are not allowed.

 

Six days a week permits are issued only to tourists. Residents of Kashmir are allowed to fish only on Sundays. And to ensure that nature's bounty remains plentiful always, the Department of Fisheries has collaborated with a Danish firm for large scale trout breeding. This ambitious project at Kokernag will eventually result in the induction of fish into the streams; meanwhile it is being used for the supply of table fish.

 

If you are more adventurous, you can fish in one of many high altitude lakes(14,000 ft. above sea level)which are reached by a trek. One trek in particular starts from Sonmarg and goes on to Vishansar,Kishansar,Satsar,Gadsar and Gangabal all alpine lakes.The trek alone takes eight days-you will need a tent, waterproof coat, ground sheet, trekking boots and provisions for as many days as you intend to trek as no food is available on the way. But you will be rewarded by the spectacularly lovely lakes, each with their own character cradled by snow clad mountains. When their surface is frozen over during the winter, the fish (mainly brown trout) keep close to the bottom of the lake, rising nearer the surface as the ice melts. In these lakes, the use of spoons and spinners is allowed. The trekking season is from July to October while the fishing season extends from March to October.

 

At the Tourist Reception Centre, Srinagar is the fishing counter. Information on equipment, location of beats, transport and nearby accommodation can be had here. Also in the Tourist Reception Centre on the first floor is the department of Fisheries. Permits are to be obtained from here on payment of a small fee and as most of the officials are keen anglers themselves, you can get the most detailed information from them. Accommodation for overnight stay too can be booked from here. Should you require a rod, reel or flies, there are shops in Srinagar where these can be had on hire and the Department of Fisheries will be happy to give you their name and addresses.

 

Kashmir - A Fishing Delight
Kashmir:`AFishingDelight
Duration:4nights-5Days
Places CoveredDelhi- Srinagar-Sonmarg- Pahalgam- Delhi
Seasons:April To September
Best:May To September

 

Kashmir is the angler’s paradise. A vast network of fast flowing rivers, sleepy backwaters and high altitude lakes give anglers a vast range of habitat to fish. Brown and rainbow trout abound- and with a sensitive policy of restocking the pot is rarely empty.

 

Pahalgam is one of Kashmir's important fishing retreats, with plump trout in abundance, whilst on the Dal Lakes learn to catch fish the traditional way! Peakmark Adventures will arrange permits and guides for your trip, whether it be for an afternoons relaxation or a week or more

 

Day 01 Arrival Srinagar
Arrival Srinagar Meeting, assistance upon arrival and transfer to deluxe Houseboat or Hotel for two nights stay.. (Please state preference on the booking form) After lunch relaxing ride on a traditional ‘Shikara’. Visit the floating gardens and glimpse the unique lifestyle of the Lake people.

Day 02 Srinagar – Aru
After early breakfast leave for a trip to Aru via Pahalgam with all angling equipments. Enroute visit Avantipur ruins and Saffron Fields. After brief rest and Lunch in Pahalgam, Drive towards Aru valley on the banks of the Lidder River. Enjoy the rest of Day in Fishing. Skills mixed with Patience could bring you good luck. Overnight stay in Camp in Aru or Optionally shift to Pahalgam for hotel stay.

 

Day 03: Aru to Lidderwat

 

Day 04: In Lidderwat

 

Day 05: Lidderwat to Pahalgam.

 

Day 06 pahalgam to Srinagar
After breakfast , drive to Srinagar. After brief rest in hotel / houseboat, visist the famous Mughal gardens( Nishat Garden of Pleasure offers spellbinding view of the Dal lake & Zabarwan Hills Designed in 1634 A.D Abdul Hassan eldest brother of Nor Jahan) Shalimar(Garden of love Designed in 1616 built by Emperor Jehangir for his wife Nr Jehan) Chasmashah (Royal Springs, marvelous garden built by Ali Mardan Khan. Overnight in Srinagar.

 

Day7 : Srinagar to Delhi.
After breakfast, transfer to Srinagar  airport for onwards destination

 

Conditions:-

• No natural oralive bait will be used at the time of fishing.
• No fish will be hooked below 25 cms. If a small fish is hooked by chance & is injured in the way it cannot Survive it will be counted to the bag limit.
• No spinning rod Spinners or spinning rod will be allowed.
• No worms, frogs, mulberries both natural and artificial bait will be allowed to use.
• Only fly rods with artificial flies will be allowed to use.
• Only Brown Trout is available in Kashmir Trout Waters:
• Fishing will be purely on one’s own risk & responsibility
• Foreigners can fish any day between Mondays to Saturday
• Streams