Fishing its socks off!

If you are thinking of joining me at some point, or have some free time soon, then now is an excellent time to visit. I’ll be honest; for the last five years I’ve been becoming more and more despondent. I’ve seen the numbers of fish dwindle; lack of sets of babies, fewer free-risers, no stumping Gourami. But last week, with Snakehead babies, was right up there with six years ago. We found 52 sets of babies in seven days from which at least one shot window appeared in each. That’s an average of 8.66 per day. That’s how things used to be around here. Why it’s better again I don’t know. But I’m very pleased that it is.

I believe it will be good from now through to mid January. After this of course is unknown but for the last few years February has also fished well. Of course February is Prime Time to fish Sungai Tiang for Mahseer.

I will be putting my rates up next year in March. Currently fully guided with gourmet meals and Battleship accommodation is 650USD/day.

There is also a self-guided option. This is renting out The Ronan, with petrol, thruster/trolling motor, walkie talkie and DIY. This also includes gourmet meals and Battleship living and costs 250USD/day. The only problem with this option is that you won’t catch many – or very possibly any fish! Eventually yes, but at first no. You have to find the fish, read the fish, position the baat moving along with the fish (that you normally can’t see until they next surface), and make the Snakehead Shot, all at the same time. That’s incredibly hard. Ultimately of course it’s a great option to strive for. Currently only I, Stu and Flavio have successfully done this on babies. Stu once, Flavio many times and I’ve been doing it for a long time. Three people in the whole world on fly, solo on babies that I know of! That’s what I personally would want to do (and do of course!) and I think it’s a really great deal. It’s a friends’ rate. In fact everything I do is at friends’ rate.

There are several ways to get here. One is via Penang International Airport. I do the pickups and drop-offs myself when free, and charge the same as the local taxi operators, which is 80USD/each way. It’s a 2.5hr drive to the lake. 

Alternatively you can take the coach service from KL to Gerik and I’ll pick you up from Gerik at no charge! From there it’s a 30 minute drive to the lake. The bus from KL takes 4.5hrs and you would only do this if you actually have a reason to be in Kuala Lumpur.

I also recommend staying at Belum Rainforest Resort at the end of your trip (and possibly at the beginning too, if arriving late in the day). Their costs are approx 100USD/night.

Booze cost we split and I’ll buy at reduced rates with some planning.

For two people fishing, one with me guiding and one person fishing alone, it costs 650+250 ie 900USD or 450 each/day. For two fishing in The Ronan together and staying on the Battleship, it costs 350USD/day for two. In other words costs breaks down as: 550USD/day for guiding, 100USD/pp for accommodation and food, 150USD/day boat rental for The Ronan inclusive of fuel. From that you can see it’s possible to have three guests (phew that will be hard work) but no more than three and preferably one or two. Usually it’s one.

Hard core, serious, all-out fly fishing. This is not a Sunday picnic and we don’t deal with it as such. Usually it’s 11 hour fishing days on the water, most of which is spent hunting fish. It’s full-on, but if you want shots then you have to work hard to find them. No one else fishes this way in Malaysia incidentally – in fact I’m quite sure that no one fishes this way for Giant Snakehead anywhere else in the world!

There is a vast amount to learn. I’ve done my 3000+ days on the water here and so have got most of the pieces of this particular puzzle in place. This also means that it is soon time for me to move on. We will be here for about three more years and then someone else will have to figure it all out again. There is a little bit of magic in that thought.

Anyway: right now it’s all happening. I will set about them. But if I have guests coming then I won’t set about them and I will instead chase them with/through guests! I’ve learned most of what I need to know when it comes to chasing babies myself.

There is one caveat in all of this. If you haven’t learned and ingrained the Slipped Lift on the pickup, then there is absolutely no point in visiting – because you won’t catch any fish! Everyone who visits must have some Zoom coaching first. Usually one of two specific lessons. Otherwise it’s going to potentially be the most frustrating experience of your life. For me too of course, but I’m mostly thinking about you here!!

For those of you who have been here before, this is better than any time in the past six years – at least for numbers (we only saw two lunkers). For those who haven’t been here, let’s discuss if it’s worthwhile visiting over the next 6 weeks. I don’t want you to come here and be frustrated that you see 50 fish but none of them see your fly! Or if they do, the fly was in the wrong place and the fish just followed. Or all the other things that can and do go wrong. It’s great to earn an income from guiding, but it’s not value for money if you can’t make the shot. I’d rather teach you to cast first and have you visit next year, or the following year, and actually set about them properly, with a chance of actually catching something.

It was very enjoyable fishing with David. I knew it was going to be because we have been casting together via Zoom for over two years. The fishing was better than I had hoped. Next time David visits he won’t just be very good, but seriously good. Once you have been here, then it’s easier to understand what is required and to train more specifically for this type of fishing/shot taking. Then I think you will be the "Shot Master”.

David is going to write some FPs. He wrote one a few weeks ago. I’m excited to read David’s contributions. He will fit right in!! He has certainly lived a full life so far :))) He also has giant feet.

Cheers, Paul