Kashmir abounds in brown and rainbow trout with some of the best spring and snow fed trout fishing streams in the world. Set amongst pollution free pine forests and back drops of the snow capped Himalayas. The streams in Kashmir are ideal for nymphing and dry fly fishing and trophy sized fish are caught regularly on almost every stream. Along with streams a number of rarely visited high altitude lakes make Kashmir a must visit location.
The first batch of trout ova arrived from England in 1889. They perished enroute. The second batch of ova arrived in from Scotland 19 December 1900, included 1800 fry that were transferred to Panzgam Dachigam about 24 kms from the capital of Srinagar. Mr Frank Mitchell formed a private fishing club with twelve British sportsman, but later, due to complications regarding the ownership of State waters, the club was wound up. Locals were trained in fish culture in 1905 by Mr Mitchell, but the fish that hatched were washed away due to a flood. However these trout grew quickly in virgin streams and established in the Acchabal area in 1908. By 1923 trout were found in all the streams of the valley. The angling season starts on the 1st April and continues until the end of September. Trout fishing in Kashmir is low cost, accommodation is excellent and the guides are first rate.
Kashmir has over 60 Trout beats on different rivers streams & lakes.
LIDDER RIVER
SINDH RIVER
BRINGHI STREAM
FEROZPORA STREAM
MAWAR STREAM
VERINAG STREAM
MADHUMATI STREAM
GANGBAL LAKE
SHEESHNAG LAKE.
VISHENSAR LAKE
TROUT WATER LODGE have a number of accommodation options from river side tenting through to the main base at Pahalgam, which is a riverside lodge with three bedrooms, four bathrooms, lounge and dining areas. Walk through the front gate to the river. From here, within an hour’s drive there are numerous rivers and beats to be fished.
FLY ROD – 4-5.6 line wt. with balanced reel
FLIES/ NYMPHS, STREAMERS, WET FLIES Size – 10, 12, 14
WADERS & WALKING STICK
POLARIZED SUNGLASSES
Both brown and rainbow trout to double figure are in most of the river systems. Your flies will also attract other local species that can be even bigger. On average, a reasonable angler could land 2-3 dozen fish in a day. Please practice ‘Catch and Release’.
THE FISH YOU WILL CATCH
Both brown and rainbow trout to double figure are in most of the river systems. Your flies will also attract other local species that can be even bigger. On average, a reasonable angler could land 2-3 dozen fish in a day. Please practice ‘Catch and Release’.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The fishing season is 1st April to 30th September and there is good fishing throughout the whole season.
WEATHER
April and September weather averages between 6 to 15 degrees, June to August it ranges from a very comfortable 9 to 20.
