Fly Fishing in Pakistan for trouts, freshwater and saltwater

The Indus river and its tributaries are 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 freswater 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 flyfishing 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 coloured, 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 flyfishing in Pakistan one of the last true frontiers in the gameanglers "must fish" list of locations.

Saltwater fly fishing is still virgin territory in Pakistan. It is safe to say that gamefish have hardly ever seen a fly and are simply waiting for an adventurous angler to try his hand at this pinnacle of sportsfishing. All the sought after saltwater fly fishing gamefish 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 gamefish are there, waiting for those up to the challenge for catch the first official saltwater gamefish on the fly. Who will take up the challenge?