It’s been more than 20 years since the day I wal
- Thread starter EugeneC
- Start date
ripplefisher
Senior Member
EugeneC wrote:
in terms of the YCC - I think its like a lot of things- you see the results but don't quite realize the efforts. Gong Lei lives beside the lake, and fishes outside the 'fishing times' imposed on us - I think he gets special dispensation etc. Also, he essentially, to the best of my knowledge does not work and has the luxury to spends tens of thousands of dollars at times on fishing trips - Papua for three weeks - himself and his cameraman as an example. So, with those 'luxuries' it is not surprising he gets the results - on top of that of course he is a hugely talented caster/angler.
We had a good hit each from a big fish when there, and saw a couple hunting - but the lake having no fresh water coming in at the one main gate when we were there definitely did not help - it was like pea soup both in temperature and colour. All that I was told before was the fresh water 'turns them on' to feeding - which makes sense as when there was a bit of water coming in the one day, we had our best day and say fry being hunted etc.
The only 'good thing' was on the three days other Chinese anglers were fishing the lake on another boat, they all caught bugger all, and at least we caught 'some fish'..lol..!
I had Dutch friends who went for a similar period of time as we did - they had NADA in terms of big fish all days but one - that one day, the bite was 'on' - water coming in/feeding etc, and they took four big fish between them..!
A case of getting the timing right..!
in terms of the YCC - I think its like a lot of things- you see the results but don't quite realize the efforts. Gong Lei lives beside the lake, and fishes outside the 'fishing times' imposed on us - I think he gets special dispensation etc. Also, he essentially, to the best of my knowledge does not work and has the luxury to spends tens of thousands of dollars at times on fishing trips - Papua for three weeks - himself and his cameraman as an example. So, with those 'luxuries' it is not surprising he gets the results - on top of that of course he is a hugely talented caster/angler.
We had a good hit each from a big fish when there, and saw a couple hunting - but the lake having no fresh water coming in at the one main gate when we were there definitely did not help - it was like pea soup both in temperature and colour. All that I was told before was the fresh water 'turns them on' to feeding - which makes sense as when there was a bit of water coming in the one day, we had our best day and say fry being hunted etc.
The only 'good thing' was on the three days other Chinese anglers were fishing the lake on another boat, they all caught bugger all, and at least we caught 'some fish'..lol..!
I had Dutch friends who went for a similar period of time as we did - they had NADA in terms of big fish all days but one - that one day, the bite was 'on' - water coming in/feeding etc, and they took four big fish between them..!
A case of getting the timing right..!
andrewpalang
New member
Excellent read Eugene! Something that is deff on my bucket list of things to do! My brother in laws best friend has been fishing with Bobby for years. This year, after 20 years of trying he managed a fish over 40lbs. Will try find some pictures to post!
Yeah, I guest Mr Lei has a pretty good time fishing wise, which definitely helps. I have to say though, you seem to get the timing right more often than not Marc! Either that, or you're a big fish magnet 
I hear you on the efforts required though. I felt similar about my trip in India - I didn't get the fish I was hoping for, but at least I got "some fish", whilst others blanked. It definitely could have been worse.
Andrew, that's very cool, please post the pics if you can, those big mahseer are absolutely stunning. Bobby is one hell of an angler and it was a real pleasure fishing with him. There's lots of stories of guys that have done multiple trips and never got a 20lb+ mahseer, which is one of the reasons I like the challenge.
Search The Fish of my Dreams on Vimeo, it's a really great film by Stu Walker, who's another very talented angler that's fallen victim to multiple trips without a decent mahseer.
I hear you on the efforts required though. I felt similar about my trip in India - I didn't get the fish I was hoping for, but at least I got "some fish", whilst others blanked. It definitely could have been worse.Andrew, that's very cool, please post the pics if you can, those big mahseer are absolutely stunning. Bobby is one hell of an angler and it was a real pleasure fishing with him. There's lots of stories of guys that have done multiple trips and never got a 20lb+ mahseer, which is one of the reasons I like the challenge.
Search The Fish of my Dreams on Vimeo, it's a really great film by Stu Walker, who's another very talented angler that's fallen victim to multiple trips without a decent mahseer.
ripplefisher
Senior Member
EugeneC wrote:
Stu's video's (and photo's for that matter) are awesome - I always look in awe at those 'fisherman' who also know how to take really good photo's - not necessarily enhanced, but just good shots.
I think a 40lb plus (even 25lb plus) mahseer is like a 10 kilo plus tiger - a 'fish of a lifetime' for sure (taking the TZ and goliath tiger species out of the equation - or the goliath at least). I have guide friends who have fished for tiger plenty and not had that 10kg fish - then there are other guys who get lucky and get that trophy in a few trips - that's the luck element I guess.
That China trip was my second 'bad result' after a disappointing sturgeon trip last year, again 'beaten' by the weather as we could not fish where the big fish were. I guess you have to take the rough with the smooth. Not every trip can work out - that would be too easy..lol..! As you say, at least when you catch fish you are kept happy, even if you don't achieve your trip ambitions.
Yeah, I guest Mr Lei has a pretty good time fishing wise, which definitely helps. I have to say though, you seem to get the timing right more often than not Marc! Either that, or you're a big fish magnet
Andrew, that's very cool, please post the pics if you can, those big mahseer are absolutely stunning. Bobby is one hell of an angler and it was a real pleasure fishing with him. There's lots of stories of guys that have done multiple trips and never got a 20lb+ mahseer, which is one of the reasons I like the challenge.
Search The Fish of my Dreams on Vimeo, it's a really great film by Stu Walker, who's another very talented angler that's fallen victim to multiple trips without a decent mahseer.
Stu's video's (and photo's for that matter) are awesome - I always look in awe at those 'fisherman' who also know how to take really good photo's - not necessarily enhanced, but just good shots.
I think a 40lb plus (even 25lb plus) mahseer is like a 10 kilo plus tiger - a 'fish of a lifetime' for sure (taking the TZ and goliath tiger species out of the equation - or the goliath at least). I have guide friends who have fished for tiger plenty and not had that 10kg fish - then there are other guys who get lucky and get that trophy in a few trips - that's the luck element I guess.
That China trip was my second 'bad result' after a disappointing sturgeon trip last year, again 'beaten' by the weather as we could not fish where the big fish were. I guess you have to take the rough with the smooth. Not every trip can work out - that would be too easy..lol..! As you say, at least when you catch fish you are kept happy, even if you don't achieve your trip ambitions.
Well Marc, I must admit you've definitely been an inspiration to me in my fishing pursuits, I always look forward to reading your posts and you have the kind of fishing CV a lot of guys, myself included, dream about.
Tight lines for the trip to France, I have a sneaky suspicion you're going to have another awesome result, so I'm looking forward to some more epic pics!
Tight lines for the trip to France, I have a sneaky suspicion you're going to have another awesome result, so I'm looking forward to some more epic pics!
ripplefisher
Senior Member
EugeneC wrote:
Thanks for the kind words. Honestly, like you I am sure, once you do one of these 'foreign trips' the bug bites you well and truly - so many wonderful places to see/fish.
If you ever need any advice about places to fish feel free to drop me a message - but it looks like you are doing very well on your own research..
Its raining at the region of the Rhone I am going to currently - but should stop in a few days - rising/dirty water conditions - luckily it just may not be a bad thing..we will fish hard...lol..!
Thanks for the kind words. Honestly, like you I am sure, once you do one of these 'foreign trips' the bug bites you well and truly - so many wonderful places to see/fish.
If you ever need any advice about places to fish feel free to drop me a message - but it looks like you are doing very well on your own research..
Its raining at the region of the Rhone I am going to currently - but should stop in a few days - rising/dirty water conditions - luckily it just may not be a bad thing..we will fish hard...lol..!