Angling: Trout Fishing
NILGIRI
HILLS :
The Rainbow Trout was successfully hatched at
Avalanche in 1906 and introduced in the streams at higher elevations.
Trout is now bred regularly on the streams in spawning beds to ensure
natural breeding, The Assistant Director of Fisheries at Udhagamandalam
issues angling permits (Ooty). These permits can cover an annual, monthly,
weekly, weekend (Friday to Monday) or a daily licence. The beats are open
for angling between January-September and between 0600 hours and 1930
hours daily.
WATERS SPECIALLY RESERVED FOR TROUT FISHING:
The following waters are exclusively reserved as Trout waters. All
distances are from Ooty.
Mukurthi lake and river above the
Mukurthi lake (30-45 kms):
The Krurmund river above the falls
which is 200 metres below the confluence of Mekod river. (30-45 kms).
The Portimund stream and the Portimund Reservoir (26 kms)
The
Mekod river below Mekod Falls (26 kms)
The reservoirs formed of the
Avalanche and Emerald river including top water (30 kms)
The Peermund
stream (45 kms )
The Chembar stream (48 kms)
The Kallkundi
stream (40 kms)
The upper Bhavani Reservoir,
Billithadahullah
river with its tributaries i.e. Talakundah, Lakkidi and Deverbetta streams
(40 kms)
The Bhavani Puzha (60 kms)
The Arokia Puzha and Western
Catchment Reservoir (60 kms)
Parson's Valley stream and Parson's
Valley Reservoir (25 kms)
King Dhar stream and Western Catchment
Reservoir (60 kms)
Thiruppanthorai stream Emeripuzha stream (60 kms)
Silent Valley stream (70 kms)
Banghihulla stream and Reservoir
(65 kms)
Kaihundi (40 kms) Trout angling gear
The above
mentioned waters are all approached from Ooty. There are motor able roads
leading to all Trout waters. Unlike in Kashmir, both fly (wet and dry) and
spinning is permitted in these streams. A leader with both a spoon/spinner
and a fly in tandem is also used. Live baits are strictly prohibited.
Small fingerlings must be returned to the water without damaging or
hurting them. A disgorger must be carried as per the fisheries rules. It
is mandatory for license holders to inform the Fisheries Department of
waters fished, number and weight of fish caught and killed, and number
returned to the water, on expiry of the license. The Police, Fisheries,
Forest and Revenue Department officials can check the licence.
EQUIPMENT
FOR TROUT FISHING IN THE NILGIRIS:
As mentioned earlier, both
fly-fishing and spinning is permitted in the Trout waters of the Nilgiris.
The size of Trout would average around 1% Ibs. And hence light tackle is
recommended as follows:
RODS: 8/9 ft. fly rod. 8 ft. spinning
rod.
REELS: Light fly reel. Open face spinning reel to take
100 metres of 8/10 lb line.
LINE: Silk coated fly line (25
metres). Nylon monofilament 8/10 lb line.
FLIES: Same as
recommended for Kashmir waters with a few variations.
SPINNERS:
Spinners, spoons, lures, tobys, minnows etc between size '0' to 2 are
recommended. Colour variations on silver, brass and copper are effective.
Single hook types do not hurt the fish and are Recommended. Other items
must include a landing net, disgorger, pliers, lead weight, fly box,
swivels, and a jack Knife.
PERSONAL CLOTHING:
Same
as for Kashmir. Since it does not get as cold as it is in Kashmir,
slightly lighter clothing is recommended.
OTHER TROUT WATERS
IN INDIA :
The areas defined as Trout waters are as follows:
Kasol - 42 kms from Kulu.
Banjar - 58 kms south of Kulu on the
river Trithan.
Bathad - 67 kms from Kulu.
Larji -34 kms from
Kulu around the confluence of the rivers Sainj and Larji. The river Beas
flows downstream.
Katrain - On the river Beas near the hatchery.
Permits are available from the office of the District Fisheries
Officer at Larji, Katrain or Kulu. Hotel accommodation is available at
Kulu, Manali and Katrain. The areas mentioned as Trout waters have some
FWD Bungalows, which can be reserved, through the District Commissioner's
Office at Kulu. Click
Here for Trout Fishing in Kashmir
Home »Leisure In India
» Angling in India