Paul Imperia with a spectacular fly-caught specimen. Photo: Paul Imperia
Mahseer
The Pursuit of India’s Ultimate Gamefish
F
or game adventure travelers and fly anglers that appreciate the rewards of targeting wary and sophisticated fish, consider India’s mahseer a little-known contender near the top of the list. The mighty Himalayan mahseer is a sport fish of great strength and mystery that seems part tarpon, part carp and part steelhead. Feeding primarily on nymphs and baitfish, these exceedingly clever fish run from 1 to 60 pounds, and outfitter Misty Dhillon along with his crew at The Himalayan Outback have been unlocking the secret to catching them on flies for well over a decade. One of their favorite locations is the the Saryu River. The Saryu is located in the ruggedly beautiful Kumaon region of the Uttarakhand province in northern India near the Nepalese border. In season it typically runs crystal clear and has runs and pools reminiscent of some of our favorite steelhead rivers. Anglers access the river from either two or three deluxe safari-style camps located along the banks of the river, rafting between them throughout the course of the trip. Experiencing this region with Misty and his crew is like being guided backwards through time. This is not the crowded hustle and bustle of Mumbai, but rather an intimate glimpse of modest mountain people who live off of hillside terraces and all that they can forage and barter for. Traveling through India is an adventure in and of itself. Frankly, just getting to the put-in is more than some people want to take on, but for those undaunted by the rigors of third-world travel and energized by the mystery of a PAGE 76
By Brian Gies
new and challenging fishery, this is a unique and rewarding trip that few others compare to.
Your Hosts and The Program Misty Dhillon and his head guide Bobby are considered some of the world’s most accomplished mahseer fly anglers. They are nothing if not sophisticated, skilled, appealing and professional. They speak immaculate English and love adventure travel, hospitality, spey fishing and fly tying. At least one of these two will be on each trip. They will be assisted by additional local guides. The local guides know their rivers well and have learned to love the sport of fly fishing but are not yet what we consider expert fly fishing guides. Each day anglers will depart camp on foot, often starting at the home pool and work their way either up or downstream until lunch. Lunch is typically served back at camp and most often followed by a nap in the shade. Mid-afternoon, anglers head back out to fish until evening. Mahseer are known to feed at night so many anglers will fish well into darkness. Anglers will move between camps by rafts. Guest stay in comfortable safari style tents. The tents all have cots with sleeping pads and linens. The spacious camps include a dining tent, shower tent and bathroom tent. Meals include a combination of Indian vegetarian and non-vegetarian curries, Italian dishes, tandoori cuisine including naans as well as a bit of Chinese and Thai. Each morning anglers enjoy hearty continental breakfasts. Even in this remote location there are
WWW.FLYWATERTRAVEL.COM
MAHSEER always freshly baked breads, cakes and pies. Breakfast and lunch are served in camp. However, fishermen who do not want to take a break can have a lunch packed in the morning. Dinner is generally served under the stars around the campfire.
Fishing Mahseer The Saryu is a clear, muscular river similar to many of the rocky streams that flow westward off the southern Cascades and Sierras. Here you can easily spot golden mahseer, some the size of trout and steelhead and others the size of tarpon holding and feeding in deep tailouts. Just as easily, you might watch them disappear as your buddy makes a less-than-perfect cast under the hot Indian sun. While most anglers fish single handed 8 to 9-weight rods with 300 to 400-grain integrated heads, spey rods can be excellent tools as long as the angler can handle casting tips with minimal line tear. Mahseer are widely considered more selective and wary than the popular anadromous gamefish but they are every bit as strong and
often larger, attaining sizes reached only by true trophy chinook. They respond well to a wide range of streamers and the larger specimens are tough on tackle as well as those trying to land them. Like Atlantic salmon, king salmon and steelhead fishing, catch rates and the size of fish caught varies widely with each fish landed, constituting a prize to be cherished.
Travel After arriving in New Delhi’s modern airport guest will be greeted and transferred to a fine luxury hotel. The following day you will get a taste of the real India, traveling five hours north by train and then three hours by vehicle to a lodge in the foothills of the Himalayas. The next morning, guests will drive the final leg into the first Saryu camp and fish a half-day followed by five full days of guided fishing. Season: March to June 15th, September 25th to October 10th 2017 Rate: $4,400 per person for a 9 night/5 ½ day package
A typical camp on the Saryu. Photo: Brian Gies
1-800 -552-2729
PAGE 77