Indian Beat's Mahseer Mania!!

Hi,

I just joined Fishaction this morning. I am from Bangalore in India. I happen to live a 100kms away from some explosive freshwater action.All the action happens on the river Cauvery, home to the Mahseer.

I started fishing for Mahseer in the early 1990's with a group of hardcore fishing buddies.At first things were a bit of a hit and miss story!! It too long to figure things out for oneself. Coming to think of it, it tok too long. But after a couple of years we started landing more mahseer. In the early days we often caught alot of carp, catfish ells and other lesser forms of fish... only in terms of the fight they put up!

My first substantial Mahseer was landed back in 1994 in March. It was a cool morning and I had cast out a ragi ball( millet paste )in to deep pool that was fed by a rapid. Afert a wait of about 10 mins my line began to get tighter and tighter, which made me strike. What happened next still makes my hair stand! My reel began to scream as line flew off!! Lucky for me I was fishing in a big pool, which made things easier for me. After a 20 min fight I landed my first large silver mahseer (24lbs).

The fishing on the Cauvery is fantastic. This stretch of river runs through forest and is really beautiful. Quite often I've had elephant coming down to the river to drink. We usually spot crocs, otter, spotted deer and boar. Never been lucky enough to spot a big cat, but have heard a leopard sawing one evening opposite camp.

Its off season now. The season will start in november. I have already planned a week long trip, and I hope to get a 70lb fish or bigger.
Have any of you fished for mahseer? Was wondering if anyone had.
Later,
Akshay.