“Beside whom the Tarpon is a herring, and he who catches him can say he is a fisherman.” With these words, Rudyard Kipling, the great Anglo-Indian author of Kim and The Jungle Book, introduced the Golden Mahseer, the legendary fish of the carp family that represents the most coveted trophy for all anglers who set foot in Asia.
At the foot of the Himalayas, where the Saryu and Kali rivers converge, separating India and Nepal, lies one of the most remote and storied fishing spots in the subcontinent: the Pancheshwar ford. Visited since the 19th century by British military officers on leave, Himalayan aristocrats, and the man-eating tiger hunter Jim Corbett, it now attracts a small number of enterprising anglers in search of record-breaking fish.
Under the watchful gaze of a Shiva temple overlooking the valley, the golden mahseer swim upstream, gathering at the confluence where they replenish their energy before spawning. It’s a very brief window of time, during which the fish are in a frenzy of activity. As the water levels rise and become murkier, the fish will ascend the smaller tributaries in search of shallower beds where they can lay their eggs.
Fishing here is highly technical, requiring heavy gear to explore the depths where our quarry hides: large and heavy lures for those spinning, and for fly anglers, sinking lines and weighted streamers; everyone needs thick leaders and quality hooks. The mahseer is not a fish to be taken lightly, and it is surprising how much fighting power even small specimens can unleash in the fast-flowing waters.
An essential and comfortable safari-style base camp, equipped with air-conditioned double tents, facilities, a kitchen, and a mess tent, transports the angler into a colonial adventure atmosphere. Strategically overlooking the Kali River, it allows fishing within minutes and offers the chance to fall asleep to the sound of the flowing waters.
The friendly and professional staff includes local guides who ensure anglers are in the best position to tackle the river, support staff, and a young chef capable of effortlessly preparing everything from the classic English breakfast to a snakehead curry.
This is a journey for adventurous anglers, ready to be captivated by the sensations of India, its culture, and its people, and to test themselves against an elusive, noble, and brutal fish.
An unforgettable fishing experience, a destination still little known from a sporting perspective, and therefore all the more exclusive.
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