Thought of bringing either my fist cat or U boat here but have been talked out of it by all the fisherman I've meet; weather and water temperatures make for uncomfortable day on the water with your feet in it. The parks all have plenty of shade and beer service, and fishing is geared for shore work.
Many friends have enjoyed Buengsamran near Bangkok, but we are all fans of the giant snakehead. The carp are fun but it's the wicked strong cat fish the wear your arms out, always a work out - reminds me how outta of shape I am. Hoping to do that in the next day or two. Here a pic of my son from last month,
From locals it's the GT, giant Trevally, fishing that gets rave reviews as the funnest most plentiful sport fish in the Andaman sea. The hot spot for price and awesome fishing, is the sailfish opportunities out of Malaysia. Saving for that later this year, I can get contacts for you if need be. Not sure how the season is in Feb.
Besides are local fishing ponds, we fish mostly for jungle perch and giant snakehead - though a giant giant has eluded me (
Here's the size I catch). Gotta bring my 11wt Salmon fly rod out here next time, it'd be perfect for both the catfish and the snakehead. It's the Mahseer fishing that has too be tried to be believed. Big fishing names from NA have called them a river fish that's even are more of a spectacular fighting fish than Steelhead. I like the picture below, because this the smallest Mahseer I've caught that fought unbelievably, and caused the 6wt reel to scream for extended moments - unbelievable given the size. More stamina than any fish I've caught before and I've caught a lot of Steelhead, coho, rainbows, bass, etc.
Had plenty of straighten hooks and break offs, using 12lb or heavier tippet, with Mahseer. Here are some youtube links of Mahseer fishing (Won't embed em, to keep things moving);
Was on this trip, and we all saw fish at least double the size of the one Ian is holding. Same trip and stream in the picture above.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1u7KjAouAf8
Good fishing buddies video of another nice river we/I've returned to several times, including camping river side a few times. Awesome camping area, no bugs and perfect weather.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzrYeHubP6Y
Same river, had the Thai fellow pictured guide me several times on that same river. At ~$15 Cdn a day for his fee plus $6 a night homestays, rather expensive no?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uo-lv53m32E
Go for the visa on arrival, you can always get an extension well your here (Thaivisa.com for info). At the worst, to do so you may have to travel to the Burma border for a exit stamp (which is a interesting trip in itself). In attempts to boast tourism there always extending visa extensions and reducing costs, people live here for years on a visa on arrival. In the north, these border runs put you on the Mekong or Salween rivers.
My Skype is Chiangmaiegans
Happy New Year
Call me BCDelica-less
