Seen here are two keen fisherman angling for Mahseer which is unarguably the sports fish of India in the clear River Ramganga famous world over for Mahseer and Catfish...

The Central Himalaya region in the Garhwal and Kumaon hills is probably one of the last refuges of truly wild mahseer angling. Also present in plenty in these rivers are Goonch - Popularly known as Catfish. These are handsome fish whose fast-flowing river environment makes them extraordinary strong so that they put up a memorable fight when hooked. Their habitual - fast-flowing rivers that descend through spectacular mountain valleys in almost continual rapids - offer not only tremendous sport but also wonderful scenery and solitude. Corbett Ramganga Resort is situated on the northern boundary of famous Corbett National Park, right on the banks of gin clear River Ramganga which is famous world over for Mahseer and Catfish. An ideal place surrounded by dense forest on all sides and River Ramganga flowing with our boundary. Its one of the best fishing venue in India.

There are two periods of the year when anglers concentrate on Mahseer fishing in India: In the month of September, October and November as the riversbegin to clear after the monsoon, and in Spring season of March, April and May when the early monsoon rain begins to raise the level of the rivers again. The Himalayan rivers can be expected to clear around the end of September. In spring, the optimum fishing time can be variable ranging from the beginning of March to end of May. Mahseer migrate down the rivers in the autumn as the river levels drop. They ascend again as the monsoon corners in late spring. The most enjoyable Mahseer angling is to spin or lure fish for them. The role "big water - big fish - big tackle" applies.

Mahseer is the common name used for the genera Tor, Neolissochilus, and Naziritor in the family Cyprinidae (carps). The name Mahseer is however more often restricted to members of the genus Tor. The range of this fish is from Malaysia, Indonesia, across southern Asia to Pakistan, including the Indian Peninsula. They are commercially important game fish, as well as highly esteemed food fish. Mahseer fetch high market price, and are potential candidate species for aquaculture. Several of the larger species have suffered severe declines, and are now considered threatened due to pollution, habitat loss and over-fishing.

The Hindi name of mahāsir, mahāser, or mahāsaulā is used for a number of fishes of the group. British anglers in India called them the Indian salmon. Several sources of the common name mahseer have been suggested: It has been said to be derived from Sanskrit, while others claim it is derived from Indo-Persian, mahi- fish and sher- tiger or tiger among fish in Persian. Alternatively, mahā-śalka, meaning large-scaled, as the scales are so large that Buchanan mentions that playing cards were made from them at Dacca. Another theory by Henry Sullivan Thomas suggests mahā-āsya; great mouth. he name Mahasher is commonly used in Urdu, Punjabi and Kashmiri languages in Pakistan for this fish and is said to be made up of two local words: Maha = big and sher = lion as it ascends in the hilly rivers and streams of Himalaya courageously. It is also found in Nepal, where it is called 'SAHAR'.

Source: http://www.ramganga.com & Wikipedia

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