T

he River Saryu (Himalayas India)
Following the theme of fishing some of the most virgin areas in the world, here is yet another fine river, the Saryu, a spring fed river that drains the Himalayan Foothills. This is a great river for fishing Masheer, on the fly as well as on the spinning and other techniques you fancy using for it, it is also home to another classic creature, the mysterious and giant catfish called the Goonch, that grows over 400lbs.

 

 

 

This safari style camp is based on a remote section of the river, caters to everything you could ask for in the outdoors. It only gets remoter as you venture further into the valley. A wholesome experience, where the cultural aspect of the experience is very significant, the area throws one back in time, to the times of the English rule in the country and the fishing for the legendry, game fish the Masheer.

Suggested Itinerary 2007:

 

 

 

Day One (01): Arrive in New Delhi international airport where you will be met by Misty and transferred to the hotel. Settle into your rooms and relax. If anglers are arriving at different timing then provision will be made to greet them at their respective arrival times at the Airport.
Board over Ranikhet Express from New Delhi to Kathgodam.
This is an overnight AC sleeper train; we will prove our logistics (Staff and Dinner) and linen in the train.

 

 

 

 

 

Day Two (02): Arrive at Kathgodam railway station escorted by Misty and some of the team at 0630 hrs, here you will be met by the vehicles and transferred to a hotel to freshen up, have breakfast and you will start driving to the river. This is a beautiful six (6) hour drive; you drive along various beautiful high altitude villages and amazing landscape. Packed lunch will be provided on route this wonderful drive.
As soon as you arrive at the end of the drive you will be given refreshments, your gear will be transited by porters / mules to the first base camp. This is a short hike away from the road head. You will be given hiking sticks and will hike to the base camp, this hike will take anywhere from half and hour to forty five minutes. The anglers will with nothing to carry except their hiking sticks. Every thing will be carried by our porters.
Arrive in time for tea and other hot beverages in camp, camp will consist of tents fully rigged with tables, proper beds w/ linen and chair as shown in the pictures. Camp will have dry pit toilets, shower and an awning for the anglers to sit and relax, along with the Kitchen and other staff tents.

Start fishing this evening One (01) guide for two (2) anglers.
All the twelve anglers and any of your staff will spend the night at this camp tonight. Over the bonfire we segregate Six (6) and Six (6) angler into Team A and Team B, or you can pre plan that before, which I sure you will, as per the team dynamics.
Followed by soup, barbeque and dinner around the bon fire. 

 

 

 

Day Three (03): Team A of Six (6) anglers fishes this stretch of river, there is plenty of water here, there are a series of pools, the anglers should be prepared for some hiking, we will provide each angler with hiking sticks and their respective guides will carry every thing for them including their fishing rods if need be. The guides will also carry the refreshments and drinking water. This entire river is very clear and the fish here run up to phenomenal sizes. This river is even host to the Giant Cat Fish Goonch.  This is fantastic fly-fishing water; in the crystal clear waters of the river one can see the monstrous Mahseer. 

 

 

 

 

 

In the mean time the other Team B Six (06) anglers start hiking after a sumptuous breakfast to the other location escorted by our guides towards the upper section of the river. Our guides will carry the mineral water and other beverages for the guests on the hike, while the porters hike along ahead of the guests with their gear. This hike will take three (3) hours and is beautiful, the guests get an up close feel of the local culture as they trek though the villages and the pristine Himalayan forests.

Team B, will start the hike early in the morning as, they will completely avoid the sun soon after a sumptuous breakfast and be in camp in time to catch some fishing. There is no shortage of fishing spots here, pool after pool, and one better than the other.
The trekking party Team B arrives to a fully set up camp at the other end, with tea and hot beverages on their arrival.
They can start fishing as soon as they get there.
In the mean time Team A is fishing around the first camp site.
Followed by soup, barbeque and dinner around the bon fire on the respective locations.

 

 

 

Day Four (04):  Fish the respective locations, there is plenty of water up and down river. The guides and locations are rotated amongst the guests, to make it fair.

 

 

 

Day Five (05): Fish the respective locations, fishing the beats in strict rotation amongst the anglers.

 

 

 

Day Six (06): Fish the respective locations, fishing the beats in strict rotation amongst the anglers. 

 

 

 

Day Seven (07): Fish the respective locations, fishing the beats in strict rotation amongst the anglers. Hike up and down river fishing the various beats.

 

 

 

Day Eight 08): Exchange locations day, and after a sumptuous breakfast Team A and Team B start hiking from their respective locations and exchange locations, the angler up rive hike back to base camp and the anglers at base camp hike to the upriver location.

 

 

Day Nine (09): Fish the respective locations, fishing the beats in strict rotation amongst the anglers. Hike up and down river fishing the various beats.

 

 

 

Day Ten (10) Fish the respective locations, fishing the beats in strict rotation amongst the anglers. Hike up and down river fishing the various beats.

 

 

 

Day Eleven (11): Fish the respective locations, fishing the beats in strict rotation amongst the anglers. Hike up and down river fishing the various beats.

 

 

 

Day Twelve (12): Fish the respective locations, fishing the beats in strict rotation amongst the anglers. Hike up and down river fishing the various beats.

 

 

 

Day Thirteen (13): Team A, which is on the upriver location after a morning fishing session and breakfast heads back to base camp to join Team B.

 

 

 

This is the last day of the trip, there will be a special dinner and cultural program organized today.

 

 

 

Day Fourteen (14): Depart from camp after breakfast for Kathgodam, packed lunch will be provided on route and we arrive at Kathgodam and freshen up at the hotel, before we board the same train back to New Delhi to approximately 2000hrs.

 

 

 

This is an overnight AC sleeper train; we will prove our logistics (Staff and Dinner) and linen in the train.

 

 

 

Day Fifteen (15): Arrive in Delhi at 0600hrs, where you will be met and transferred to the hotel to board you flight in the course of the day. 

Rates:

 

 

 

For a party of twelve (12) anglers USD 3320 (per person)

 

 

 

 

 

(Based on double occupancy)

 

 

 

Dates:

 

 

 

March though May and then September though October 2007 / 2008

 

 

 

Includes:

 

 

 

All Accommodations in, hotels in New Delhi, and then in safari style tents on twin share basis during the trip, transportation during the trip from Old Delhi Railway station to Old Delhi Railway station in air-conditioned vehicles, all meals through the trip, beverages including bottled mineral water, professional guides(One (1) fishing guide to two (2) anglers), all tackle and other equipment (flies, fly-lines, leaders and tippets, rods, large arbor reels) waders are not provided ,including hiking sticks for the hike, permits and taxes.

 

 

 

Not Included:

 

 

 

Air transportation to/from Delhi, accommodation in New Delhi transportation to and from Old Delhi Railway station, gratuities, alcoholic beverages and items of personal nature. .

 

 

 

Transportation:

 

 

 

Arrive in the New Delhi international airport where you will be met and transferred to the hotel.

 

 

 

Contact:

 

 

 

 

 

 

gareth.purnell@btinternet.com