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To the keen angler, nothing is more satisfying than landing
a glistening trout after a brief battle and even the not so keen fisherman
will probably enjoy a just cooked trout from the clean and clear rivers of
Kashmir.
Fishing is big business in Kashmir through spring and summer. The British
introduced the brown and rainbow trout to the streams of Kashmir, where
they have thrived. At the same time they introduced the system of anglers
reserving ' beats' on their favourite river. Reservations for beats should
be made before one arrives in Kashmir, through an Indian Government
Tourist Office or directly to the Tourist Reception Centre in
Srinagar
.
The Fishing Season
The season runs from April to October. Only artificial flies are allowed
and each licence entitles the angler to keep six fish a day, none being
shorter than 7.5 cm. Beats may be reserved for a day or a week at a time
in one of the three basic types of streams.
Larger rivers like Sindh or Liddar are full with snow, melting from May
to July, with an occasional pool under boulders. Spinning is allowed here,
but the wet fly and weighted cast tests the skill of the angler and will
produce good results. In April, August and September these rivers are
quieter, and the bigger fish are said to lie in the stiller waters.
Tributaries and water channels near these mainstream beats provide
another type of fishing throughout the season. These are the smaller
streams where only flies are allowed, with wet fly fishing good all
season. The third type are the small spring fed streams and high altitude
lakes suitable for both dry and wet fly tackle.
Equipments
A light two to three metre Rod (fishing rods cannot be carried as hand
luggage on aircraft for security reasons) with an eight cm reel will
suffice. Common flies in use in Kashmir include Peacock, March Brown,
Butcher, Jinger Quill, Coachman, Woodcock & Green and Watson's Fancy.
There are 61 beats open for reservation throughout the season, ranging
from the turbulence of the Sindh and Wangat Rivers to the tranquility of
the high altitude lakes Krishanshar, Vishanshar, Gangabal and Nunkhol.