Off the hook Sport Fishing in Pakistan
Hidden away in the northernmost tip of the Arabian Sea lies one of the world’s last few undiscovered angling destinations.
A panoramic view covering Churna Island and Cape Monz
In the South, Pakistan's vast coastline is even today; largely unexplored and sport anglers have only scratched the surface of this pristine sea. Saltwater game fishing in Pakistan has developed in its own unique way over the last 20 years in terms of tackle, techniques and boats. A century old Pakistani boatbuilding and seafaring tradition, with the new generation of conservation minded anglers, technology and tackle has combined to make angling in Pakistan a truly unforgettable experience.
The variety of saltwater game fish is astounding and may favorably be compared to Australia or New Zealand. In fact Pakistan has just beaten Australia's record of Queen Fish Talang (16.5kg) to become the world record holding country for this species. The snub-nosed pompano world record has also been broken in Pakistan. Two world records in as many years! The unique features of our offshore fisheries are the sheer number of species of potential world record size that can be regularly caught. Cobia and narrow barred mackerel (King fish) are two species of note which are on the verge of being broken in Pakistan. Cobias of near world record size are caught each year in Pakistan and the record has unofficially been broken a few times. The same applies for narrow barred mackerel (or king fish), with the Pakistan record falling mere pounds below the current world record. A glance at the list of species available to the saltwater angler makes one realize why comparisons may be made to the great Australian and New Zealand fisheries. All three marlin species plus swordfish, yellow fin, big eye, long-tail and a host of the smaller tuna species abound. Mako, tiger, thresher and bull sharks also feature prominently. Offshore waters are also full of the mandatory Dorado. In addition to this the near shore waters hold cobia, mackerel, groupers, amberjack, snappers, barracuda, and four species of trevally (including GTS) to complete all the requirements of a world class fishery, All this in the tiny section of our extensive coastline where sport fishing activities are currently being conducted.
Saltwater fly fishing is still virgin territory in Pakistan. It is safe to say that game fish have hardly ever seen a fly and are simply waiting for an adventurous angler to try his hand at this pinnacle of sports fishing. All the sought after saltwater fly fishing game fish are present in our waters. Giant trevally, barracuda, mackerel, cobia, tuna, milkfish, bonefish, barramundi, threadfin salmon and a host of others are available in the various inshore and offshore fisheries. So the game fish are there, waiting for those up to the challenge for catch the first official saltwater game fish on the fly. Who will take up the challenge?
As one travels north from the coastline the terrain changes to extensive mangroves and saltwater estuaries, Barramundi, giant threadfin salmon, dentex, red and black drum, mangrove jacks, flathead and a host of other inshore species abound here and reports of massive barramundi and threadfin salmon are commonplace. The saltwater environment then gives way to Pakistan’s fantastic floodplains, and finally into freshwater lakes and rivers, the extend of flora and fauna in this region is now becomes apparent as this region is one of the world’s seven major migration routes for waterfowl. Thus, heavily fertilized, world famous lakes and dams build around Indus river system such as Keenjhar lake, Ranwal dam, Hub dam, Tarbela dam and a host of others provide exciting freshwater game fish. Topping the quarry list are the mighty mahseer, elusive snakeheads, numerous large catfish species and of course many carp species. These provide the course angler and freshwater plug caster with all the action he can possibly ask for.
The floodplains are finally interrupted in the extreme north of Pakistan where the mighty stretches of the Karakoram and Hindukush mountains boast thousands of streams and lakes. Here lies some of the world’s most exciting wild trout and Mahseer action. Given the remoteness of the best of the hot spots freshwater fishing in Pakistan is an adventure that involves not only world class fishing, it guarantee’s to “take your breath away”. It’s a time portal, which grants every angler the opportunity to once again revisit his real reason he started fishing.
The Indus River and its tributaries is the lifeline of Pakistan. Running from the highest mountain ranges in the world in the Himalayas down to the vast Arabian Sea, Along the course of this mighty river lies some of the most exciting freshwater angling in the world - both course and game angling.
As the glacier laden mountains give way to the blistering subcontinent heat, the months from May to September provide one of the best brown trout fisheries in the world. Loch Leven trout, the eggs of which were brought over in ships more than a century ago have thrived in northern Pakistan's rich rivers and deep, crystal clear lakes. Here the story of brown trout is much the same as that of the rainbow trout in New Zealand. Often compared to Chile and Germany in terms of the average size of the brown trout caught, the difference lies in the altitude and scenery one an angler casts his fly in. The Himalayas are the tallest mountains in the world and fly-fishing against such a backdrop is truly an experience to remember. While rivers provide lighter tackle fun, the hidden lakes are the true treasure. Wild stock, brilliantly colored, and in fantastic sizes are waiting to be fought. Reports of 5 to 10lb fish are commonplace and a confirmed 18lb brownie has been caught! Rainbow trout in Pakistan are restricted to farms and have somehow not adapted to our local waters. This is perhaps just as well. Just about all fishing is done with spinners and the trout are completely unaware of flies. This makes fly-fishing in Pakistan one of the last true frontiers in the game anglers "must fish" list of locations.
Sport fishing is a multi-billion dollar industry In the USA; about 12 million recreational saltwater Anglers generate $30 billion in economic impact and support 350,000 jobs. The Sport fishing industry is a great opportunity for entrepreneurs in Pakistan to invest in manufacture and retailing of fishing tackle, the design and building of recreational fishing boats, and the provision of fishing boats for charter and guided fishing trips. The other vacant field is "Pay to fish" enterprises which can provide thousands of anglers in Pakistan with controlled access to stocked lakes and ponds. These provide fishing opportunities outside of the seasons with fishing quotas applied to public waters.
We have to realize that angler is almost always after the pleasure they got while fishing, a study by the Pakistan Game Fish Association in 2008 tracked the motivations of anglers on the Mubarak Village. Included among the most often stated responses were the fun of catching fish, the experience, to catch a lot of fish or a very large fish, for challenge, adventure, pose and showoff in family and kids. Use as food was cited very low as a motivation for Sport Fishing.
However these unique and relatively un-exploited destinations do not exist without their setbacks. Without any active regulatory body, sport fishing in Pakistan is rapidly becoming a meat collection race, with no bag limits, undefined seasons and no concept of catch and release. Fishing continues without a thought for sustenance, no thought for the future.
In order to preserve the essence of sport fishing and ensure development, not degradation, it is pivotal that we, "the anglers first" and the authorities, develop and practice ethical parameters within which we conduct our sport.
Lead by example, encourage others to participate and together we can ensure that the Arabian Sea and our freshwater recourses we have been entrusted with continues to teem with life, join the cause today www.pgfa.org; each of us is capable of making choices, having an opinion, creating a positive outcome and being a proactive member of the angling community of Pakistan, PGFA is a group of over 2500 like-minded anglers who have come together to build awareness on ethical standards of angling.
Sport Fishing Pictures - Pakistan
http://blog.pgfa.org/pictures/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PGFA/photos
http://www.facebook.com/photo_search.php?oid=49250332558&view=all
PGFA Wallpapers
http://www.pgfa.org/fishingwallpapers.asp
Published link in Dawn.com
http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/sport/16-off-the-hook-hs-10