In my previous thread ****y described fishing in India as sometimes being a war of attrition. How right you are mate! The latest debacle...
I planned to fish Dodital Lake for Trout. This is a beautiful, deep clear lake, situated at an altitude of 6500 feet in the Himalayas, in the state of Uttranchal, northern India.
I did my research although not enough, as will be revealed:
There were 2 challenges:
1/ I needed to obtain a permit from a fisheries office "5 kilometres from Uttarkashi".
2/ To reach Dodital from Uttarkashi (the nearest town), involves a 2 day trek, with supplies en route doubtful, at best.
No problem I thought; I'll ask around for the fisheries office, buy a tent and other provisions in Uttarkashi, hire a guide and Mule (no comments please), and away I go!
So I hopped on to a local bus for a gruelling 7 hour journey from where I am; Rishikesh; to Uttarkshi.
When I got to Uttarkashi I was shocked by what I saw. All the tourist related businesses were firmly boarded up. All the hotels too. I spent a miserable 2 hours walking around in the monsoon rain, with a 50 pound pack on my back, trying to find someone, anyone, who could speak English. No joy.
Eventually I found a grotty guest house with a room available. It had blankets not sheets on the bed (it was 85 degrees). I woke up in the morning with bites all over my legs from Bed Bugs. The guest house was positioned directly above a public toilet, I probably don't need to say any more.
I jumped on the first bus in the morning, I don't think I've ever been so pleased to leave anywhere in my life!!
As you might imagine, the 7 hour bus journey back to Rishikesh wasn't the best fun I've ever had in my life.
So; I've still to catch my first Indian Fish. Watch this space though; I've had a couple of offers of help locally, although one of them involves Goonch Catfish. Do I really want to catch one of those?
I planned to fish Dodital Lake for Trout. This is a beautiful, deep clear lake, situated at an altitude of 6500 feet in the Himalayas, in the state of Uttranchal, northern India.
I did my research although not enough, as will be revealed:
There were 2 challenges:
1/ I needed to obtain a permit from a fisheries office "5 kilometres from Uttarkashi".
2/ To reach Dodital from Uttarkashi (the nearest town), involves a 2 day trek, with supplies en route doubtful, at best.
No problem I thought; I'll ask around for the fisheries office, buy a tent and other provisions in Uttarkashi, hire a guide and Mule (no comments please), and away I go!
So I hopped on to a local bus for a gruelling 7 hour journey from where I am; Rishikesh; to Uttarkshi.
When I got to Uttarkashi I was shocked by what I saw. All the tourist related businesses were firmly boarded up. All the hotels too. I spent a miserable 2 hours walking around in the monsoon rain, with a 50 pound pack on my back, trying to find someone, anyone, who could speak English. No joy.
Eventually I found a grotty guest house with a room available. It had blankets not sheets on the bed (it was 85 degrees). I woke up in the morning with bites all over my legs from Bed Bugs. The guest house was positioned directly above a public toilet, I probably don't need to say any more.
I jumped on the first bus in the morning, I don't think I've ever been so pleased to leave anywhere in my life!!
As you might imagine, the 7 hour bus journey back to Rishikesh wasn't the best fun I've ever had in my life.
So; I've still to catch my first Indian Fish. Watch this space though; I've had a couple of offers of help locally, although one of them involves Goonch Catfish. Do I really want to catch one of those?
lol Ah..India!!! You gotta love it!