Thai Mahseer Fly Fishing in Thailand

Fly Fishing

Is casting big dry flies or nymphs to hungry wild native fish in gin-clear mountain streams your call? We offer guided fly fishing in Thailand for Thai Mahseer in both Khao Sok National Park, near Phuket and in Mae Hong Son province in northern Thailand. Our guided fly fishing trips to the pristine jungle rivers in Khao Sok national park - legendary Thai fishing locations for big Thai Mahseer and Hampala Barb, regularly produce top nymph and dry fly action for Thai Mahseer. The rivers we fish are located in the heart of Khao Sok National Park, 180 km north-east of Phuket in southern Thailand. They are surrounded by mountains of over 1300 meters and dense rainforest with amazing wildlife, bird life, flora, waterfalls, wild elephants, otters, monkeys, buffalos, bears, and leopards. Fly fishing for Mahseer is very similar to fly fishing for trout and these fish behave exactly like huge brown trout, accepting dry flies, nymphs and streamers. Our trips are all-inclusive and use of top brand Fly fishing equipment and wading boots is included. We welcome anglers of all skill levels, and we are happy to instruct beginners how to use the fly fishing equipment and to cast and approach the fish. With over two decades of experience guiding clients throughout Thailand let www.bluewater-anglers.com create a personalized Thai fly fishing trip for you.

Our guided fly fishing trips to the Khao Sok Rivers are multi-day trips due to the remote location of the rivers, a minimum 3 day trip is recommended for the best fishing All fly fishing equipment is included in our trips. We only use top quality fly gear but you are more than welcome to use your own equipment if you prefer to do so. The equipment we provide; free of charge: Fly rods are from: Sage and from Tim Rajeff, weight 5 to 7. Fly reels are from Loop, Ross Reels and from Lamson. We use Scientific Anglers Shark Skin and Rio fly lines. The leaders we use are Airflo polyleader and Rio fluorocarbon leaders. Flies are from Shadow Flies, Chiang Mai, tied on extra strong Japanese hooks. These have been extensively tested and are the best you can get. We know what works well in these waters after many years of fishing here, and we will share our trade secrets with you!

Many of our clients have compared the take of a Mahseer to a strike from a big Bonefish. Panicking and trying to stop the fish in its first run normally results in a broken leader, the best is to try to stay cool and let the fish run with not too much drag on the reel and run after it as fast as you can until the first run is over, and then increase the drag and start to fight it. You have to be prepared for a second or a third long run, many Mahseer has been lost due to overconfident anglers, who thought that the battle was already won.
Good presentation skills are also required and it’s very important to approach the fish very slowly, in our rivers upstream fishing has produced the best results, as the Mahseer’s head and sight field is up- stream facing. Wearing dull or green colors is very important and to succeed, one has to tiptoe like an Indian since the Mahseer is unbelievably shy and can see you only too well from under water. We have also noticed that loud voices can spoke them, so keep this in mind. Wearing top grade polarized sunglasses is essential to be able to spot the fish in the river.

Many times the strike comes just when the fly lands on the surface, so be prepared, don’t lose control of the fly line at any time, a line loop around the rod but or around the reel can be a very frustrating experience. Also keep in mind during the Mahseer’s first fast run; try to keep the rod tip high to clear the line and leader from being cut by underwater rocks and boulders. Undeniably, the Mahseer is one of the fiercest fighting freshwater game fish in existence. Pound for pound it had unparalleled strength and endurance.  Robert Howitt, in Sports Illustrated wrote: “The angler’s first encounter with the Mahseer is one that he never forgets: A great wrench on the rod heralds its take, then the ratchet screams on a fast emptying reel – the sensation is electrifying. Few freshwater fish will set of with such speed, fight for so long and strike both despondency and joy to the heart of the adversary.”

In our packages we also include: transfer from Phuket, Krabi or Sura Thani Airports or from any Phuket, Krabi, Surat Thani or Khao Lak hotel, all meals during the trip, mineral drinking water, fruit of the season, accommodation at a jungle camp that consists of basic floating raft houses made from locally obtained sustainable materials that blend in with the environment. There is no TV or air-conditioning, and this fishing experience is targeted at adventurous anglers who are looking for the REAL jungle experience and are prepared to do without luxury home comforts for a few days! There are very few mosquitoes and no Malaria in the area. We fish here all-year round, the rainy season (mid May to mid October) is the spawning time for the Mahseer and for the Barb and some of the biggest fish in the area moves upstream to spawn, this is prime time to catch fish over 5kg size, we have seen Thai Mahseer in Cheow Lan lake up to 20 kg size. During the dry season a very healthy stock of fish up to 6 kg inhabits the pools we fish in and offers great fly fishing action.