Fishy games: You don’t have to be an expert angler to enjoy the sport

A techie by profession and an angler at heart. A strange combination, but that just about describes 28-year-old Partho Mukherjee, a software engineer with a leading software firm in Bangalore. So whenever the days and nights of staring at computer screens, updating data and creating logistics start getting on his nerves, the angler in him starts dreaming about an angling bout. “This time around, when the very word ‘computer’ started getting on my nerves, I realised that I needed a break,” admits Mukherjee.

The choice was simple. One of his friends had just been back from the Cauvery fishing camp. “He went gaga over the experience. Matching one’s wits with those moody mahseers and soaking in all that sun,” exclaims Mukherjee. So he called up his old chum, Rohini Sengupta — a Calcutta girl who is now a jewellery designer in Bangalore — and managed to hard-sell the idea enough to make her want to accompany him on the trip.

“I’m glad he did so,” laughs Sengupta. “The banks of the peaceful Cauvery are an angler’s delight. And I think I’d have missed out on something really unique if I hadn’t accompanied him.” The best thing about the trip, she says, was the timing. November to April are believed to be the best time for the Cauvery camps: “Fishes are found in plenty and the climate is just right. There was a nip in the air and the chance to sketch a dream or capture a thought without moving a muscle for the prize catch of a mahseer, made it a three-in-one rewarding holiday,” asserts Sengupta.

And it is this “prize catch” that attracts world class anglers to the Cauvery fishing camp. “Mahseer is India’s pride,” points out Mukherjee. “It’s the most aristocratic fish around. The finest game fish in the world. Anglers across the world covet the mahseer. Not merely for its size, but also for its fighting spirit. To any self-respecting angler, mahseer is the greatest challenge. They never come easily to an angler’s hook. You have to make the fish play to the bait for hours.”

Sengupta has a slightly different take. “Even if you are not a passionate angler, you can just indulge in some amateur fishing while bird-watching or just soaking in nature’s bounty,” she says. “The region has a rich flora of thick deciduous forests and an abundance of birds including rare species like the grey heron, grey hornbill and large egret.”

Though the Cauvery camp offers a host of facilities including nature walks and treks, the most important activity is the ‘catch and release’ method of mahseer fishing. “Even if you are not an expert, you can try your hand at fishing guided by the camp staff. They teach you everything from how to wait for long hours for the catch and how to release them alive and kicking back into the waters,” says Mukherjee. “For the more spirited and adventurous souls, the camp offers kayaking and rafting while interacting with local Soliga aboriginal tribes who teach their own primitive skills in fishing,” he adds.

Situated at Bheemashwari, Cauvery fishing camp is tucked amidst steep hills. Fish is also found in abundance further upstream in Doddamakali fishing camp and a bit downstream at Galibore. The place is easily accessible via road. From Bangalore it is 100 km away and one can reach the camp via Kanakpura/ Halagur. It is 85 km from Mysore via Malavalli. If one wishes to tag on this camp while holidaying at the favourite tourist destination, Ooty, one has to travel 245 km by road via Mysore.

Both professional angling and amateur fishing is encouraged in these nature camps. Though most professional anglers would carry their equipment, freshers get a chance to hire equipment from the camp itself at an additional cost. The bait usually used would be ragi paste made from millet flour. The mahseer is an exceptionally omnivorous creature and is known to take in even frogs, live or dead fish, crabs and fruit. Smaller fish rise to the fly as well as other natural insect baits such as grasshoppers and worms. Two species of mahseer are common among the catch. They are tor khudree and tor mussullah. However, these waters are full of dangerous crocodiles and anglers should take precaution and try not to venture onto the banks completely alone.

The cost of a stay at the camp is a bit steep. “You have to shell out anything between Rs 3,000 and Rs 1,500 per day, depending on the accommodation you choose,” says Mukherjee. There are log huts as well as tented cottages at Bheemeshwari, Galibore amd Doddamakali. The cost includes lodging and all meals, lessons in fishing for amateur anglers and joy rides or trekking.

If you are interested, get in touch with:

Shrungar Shopping Centre,
M.G. Road, Bangalore 560001
Telephone: 091-080-5586154, 5597944/ 5597021,24, 25 Fax: 091-080-5586163