I’ve been counting up. My trip out to the fringes of Corbett (spelling?) earlier this month was exactly the 30th that I’ve made to the subcontinent. Considering that most of my trips have been a month or more in length, that means I’ve spent about two and a half years in India and its adjoining territories. And I have to say, that my time with Misty was probably the most enjoyable of all. But why?

Stunning scenery, crystal water and the opportunity to actually fish for Mahseer that you can see. That, to me, is of a massive importance.

The constant awareness of so many big cats so close to you. Of course, many times, I’ve been aware of eyes upon me but never to the extent I experienced at The Himalayan Outback camp. The crackle and anticipation you could almost reach out and touch.

And, vitally, just the levels of service, friendship, generosity and hospitality. These ingredients are essential to the mix and so often overlooked in so many camps.

I’m back to India in just a few weeks. This time to the south again. But, believe me, my heart will be constantly urging me to go north again. I will, of course, report upon my trip to the Cauvery and how my love for India is progressing on all its various fronts.”

I was a customer with Himalayan Outback on their Upper Ganges mahseer angling tour in September 2009.

At first I was very impressed with the Himalayan Outback website, with its strong environmental and cultural message, as well as an obvious passion for fishing.  I e-mailed Himalayan Outback’s Misty Dhillon, who was very quick to reply and very thorough in answering my many questions. The glowing references from previous customers, the wonderful photography and tales of mahseer on their website were all very good, but in the end what clinched it for me was an excellent video posted on an independent website, made by a very satisfied previous customer.

Two months later I stepped off the train at Haridwar station, and I was immediately in professional hands.  After a very scenic mountain drive following the Ganges upstream – stopping for photos along the way at some very beautiful vistas – we arrived at a ghat where our raft was waiting to complete the last leg of the trip to camp.  The journey by raft to Byas Ghat was very interesting, with a different perspective of the rugged valley gained from the water’s surface, and only macaques and various birds as company till we reached the campsite.

Camping with the Himalayan Outback was very different to anything I had experienced before: mineral water and hot drinks always available and served with a smile, comfortable well-appointed tents with privacy, hot water for washing and the greatest luxury, a sit-down toilet with paper; but for me, the ingenuity and expertise of the cooks was the most remarkable thing, producing three meals a day for a week without the food ever becoming boring.  The paneer makhani, pumpkin and gourd koftas, chilli pakoras and gulab jamun were most memorable, but I was really amazed to be served freshly baked bread, banana fritters, tandoori chicken and even pizza!  Every meal was a treat, and the hearty breakfast served in the morning an excellent preparation for the day’s fishing, just as suppertime was a delicious and comforting end to a long day on the water.

The fishing itself was, in a word, amazing. Many anglers will relate how the fight of the mahseer is peerless in freshwater fishing, but one really has to experience it to fully believe it.  My first full day proved very busy, with four beautiful specimens landed and in the afternoon I had two more good fish on, that got away during various stages of playing.  Two days later at Byas Ghat, my trip reached its zenith when I was lucky enough to catch a 30lb mahseer. It was spectacular, with the fish taking the bait very close to me and immediately running downstream over a hundred yards; after a long, hard fight, she made a most memorable and satisfying prize.  Of course, credit for the catch is due almost entirely to my ghillie Prahlad, who quickly set the drag on my reel to match the fish’s size, and coached me throughout the fight till the fish was landed; I would never have done so without his expertise.  The memory of that particular catch will be with me forever.

In summary, my trip with Himalayan Outback was the experience of a lifetime; I would recommend the company to anybody considering Himalayan Golden Mahseer angling.  There is so much more to the trip than just the fishing: the scenery, the wildlife, amazing food and friendly locals.  It is truly an adventure.  I am particularly indebted to my trip organiser Ramesh Rana, who was most accommodating, organised and professional throughout my visit, as well as being a most interesting partner in conversation and keen birdwatcher, with a real shikari’s love of nature.  Now this winter I have recently taken up fly-fishing and look forward to the day when I can attempt to catch a mahseer on a fly; I will certainly be using the services of Himalayan Outback when doing so.

Adam T. Guy
Tokyo, Japan

The Himalayan Experience – fishing for golden Mahseer
How does one go about describing India and its Mahseer? When I sat down to formulate this in words I found myself at a loss. I’ve been around the block. Having fished for many different species in locales that varied from exotic to downright dangerous, I am not easily impressed, let alone left in awe. India did something to me; it is the one trip I remember most vividly, the one trip I look forward to doing again and again. Mahseer are like tarpon – ancient fish, they demand respect, play no favorites and test your mettle to the limit. They also make you come back time after time. India will do that to you as well, albeit for reasons I still can’t explain. Another refreshing first was the standard of our camp in the mountains. Hailing from Africa, camping in the outdoors is what we do. Been there, done that, have the T-shirt et al, that is, until you camp the way the Himalayan Outback do. Imagine top class service, all the amenities you could hope for, three meals a day and staff eager to please, catering to your every whim. Place yourself in a setting that poets dream of, prepare to do battle with a fish of legends, and experience the magic of the Himalayas. Yeah, right. I could not even begin to describe it…
P.J Jacobs
The Complete Fly Fisher
SA