One of the fascinating narration’s of Jim Corbett in his book “Man Eaters of Kumaon” is about his fishing holidays for Mahseer (barbus tour), in a river which flowed through a beautiful wooded valley. When Corbett was fishing, the air was filled with the fragrance of flora and songs of a multitude of birds. Corbett opined that angling in such an atmosphere is a sport fit for kings. After catching a 50 lb. mahseer, he concluded that the sublime surroundings in which he had caught the fish will not be forgotten, and will draw him back to this valley, which to date still unspoiled by the hand of man. His descriptions fit well with the Ramganga valley.

The Mahseer is a fresh water scaly fish, which can attain a huge size, and shows more sport for its size than a Salmon and therefore is considered the best sport fish in the world Mahseer quite avidly takes to bait such as spoon, plug, fly and livefish, are omnivorous in feeding habits - eating snails, crabs and weeds like algae, etc. Etymology of Mahseer suggests the word could mean a fish with “lion’s gameness” and “fish par excellence”. Experts have identified about six species in India, but no detailed information on the present status and distribution of these species is available. Though fisherman consider consider the Golden or Himalayan Mahseer (tor putitora) as the main species available on the Ramganga / Kosi rivers, besides the Silver and Black Mahseer. Goonch (bagaraus bagarius), a fresh water scavenger is also another species that thrives in these rivers.

FISHING AT CORBETT NATIONAL PARK
Day 01 - ARRIVE DELHI
Arrive in New Delhi and transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02 - DELHI to CORBETT NATIONAL PARK
Morning drive to Corbett. Arrive Corbett and check in at lodge. Afternoon at leisure or free for optional activities.
Day 03 - CORBETT NATIONAL PARK
Full day angling in Ramganga River. Overnight in lodge.
Day 04 - CORBETT NATIONAL PARK to BHIKYASEN
Morning drive to Bhikyasen - set up camp and start angling in the upper ridge of Ramganga river. Overnight in camp at Bhikyasen.
Day 05 - BHIKYASEN to CORBETT NATIONAL PARK
Morning angling in upper ridge of Ramganga. Late afternoon drive to Corbett national park. Arrive in Corbett and check in at lodge. Overnight at lodge.
Day 06 - CORBETT NATIONAL PARK
Full day angling in the Kosi. Overnight at lodge.



11 Days/ 11 NIGHT TOUR BY ROAD
DELHI – CORBETT TIGER RESERVE – BHIKYASEN

Corbett Ramganga, Sarda

In the northern sector, chase the Yellowfin or Golden Mahseer at the foothills of the Himalayas, lock horns with the Giant Catfish and try angling the Himalayan, Rainbow and Brown Trout. The major beats will be the confluence of Kali and Saryu rivers, the Ramganga river, its confluence with the Mandal at Corbett Tiger Reserve ending further upstream. Angling in North India is replete with scenes of fish eagles hovering in the air, alarm calls echoing in the valley and the occasional tiger pugmark on the river bed.
Fishing for mahseer is closed during the breeding season in the monsoons from June-September, while the trout season closes down from November till January-end. Angling is still possible in winter if one settles for Himalayan barbell (Snow Trout) as the mahseer, catfish and other carps stop feeding. The bite rises with the temperature in spring in almost all places, notably the dams and the spring-fed rivers. The bite is still on by the time season opens around September in Himachal and October in Uttaranchal.
As an extension, you could try angling in South India with its coracle rides, river rafting and trekking amidst lush surroundings. Most of the activity is centered around the Cauvery, South India's most prominent river. Explore the various Cauvery Fishing Camps in Karnataka, Mekedatu (Goat's Leap) waterfall and the offbeat Valnoor camp in Coorg.