| Fishing in India is hotting up. Once the reserve of | | | | end up in their traps and nets rather than on an |
| officer/gentlemen the sport is now beginning to | | | | angler's line. |
| reach the local masses and adventurous anglers | | | | With large fins and a tendency to fight with rather |
| from abroad. For many, the most sought after | | | | than against the current gives Golden Mahseer the |
| prize is a Golden Mahseer. | | | | reputation of being amongst the most powerful |
| Tor putitora, better known as Golden or Common | | | | freshwater fish. There are many stories of |
| Himalayan Mahseer, though also by a myriad | | | | anglers being taken by surprise and ending up in |
| other names, are a member of the Carp family, | | | | the water with their rod, or only just saved by an |
| Cyprinidae. They are quite closely related to | | | | attentive local guide. Other stories suggest that |
| barbel. Apart from the distinctive scales on the | | | | one of the best tactics for coping with the fishes |
| side, the carp family tie is not immediately | | | | initial run is to sprint downstream rod in hand. |
| obvious. Golden Mahseer are a graceful and | | | | Good luck to you. |
| attractive fish with more resemblance to a | | | | Golden Mahseer are omnivorous, feeding on plant |
| salmon than the stocky carp specimens so | | | | matter and insects as juveniles and becoming |
| sought after in European waters. | | | | more predatory as they get larger. Anglers will |
| This species can be found in streams and rivers all | | | | find a live or dead bait or a lure delivered in the |
| over India but they favour fast-flowing rocky | | | | bottom half of the water to work the best. |
| waters. The best sport is found up in the | | | | Where possible, fishing from a boat is |
| Himalayan foothills and down on the Deccan | | | | recommended as the biggest fish stay out where |
| Plateau around Bangaluru (previously known as | | | | the current is strong. A boat also allows for a |
| Bangalore). | | | | stretch of river to be covered easily - a big issue |
| The best fishing is when water levels are low. | | | | up in the mountains where the riverbanks may be |
| This means the months of October through to | | | | very difficult to traverse. |
| December and February through to the closed | | | | Other fish in these same rivers provide |
| season at the end of June. | | | | worthwhile sport and, now that long haul flight to |
| Like all species of Mahseer found in India, the | | | | India can be had at reasonable cost, fishing in India |
| days of true giants are long past. A fish of 50 | | | | becomes a viable option even for a short break. |
| kilograms is now considered a rarity with the | | | | Whatever you regular style of fishing at home, |
| average being more in the 5 to 10 kilogram range. | | | | catching a Golden Mahseer would certainly spice |
| Unfortunately, poachers have found Mahseer | | | | up a fishing holiday. Now all you have to do is find |
| catches to be lucrative and many of the best fish | | | | the time to get away. |