The Himalayan Outback, India
Misty Dhillon is an inspiring guide, leader of men and logistics operator. He has pioneered fly fishing for mahseer and he and his team now hold every world record available for catching these stunning fish on a fly.
The travel to land these fish is not the fastest and a trip to India should not be for those who wish to maximise fishing time and minimise their travelling time. The adventure begins the moment you land in Delhi and it is truly a country where the journey makes up a large part of the enjoyment of the holiday.
You will take planes, trains, automobiles and boats to reach your camp on the Nepalese border but it will be something you never forget. Waking up to see the Himalayas outside of your bedroom window before dropping down and down until you hit the beautiful Saryu river is a very good way to start a fishing holiday.
The fishing is relatively technical but anyone with a decent grasp of sinking tips and heavy flies will be fine. One to two fish per day would be a good result and the biggest landed so far has been 54lbs but anything over 15lbs is a trophy. The colours of the landscape and the fish themselves mean that photos of success will always be highly prized.
Expect to see locals who are bemused as to what you are doing, farming on a heavily manual basis, water buffalo being washed by their handlers in the river and any manner of beautiful, wild and wonderful birds. A sighting of a leopard is possible but rare.
Don’t just go to India for the fishing. Try to extend to see the Taj Mahal, Jaipur, the Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve or just have a few extra days in Delhi – this is not a trip to be rushed and we can tailor make any itinerary.
Accommodation
The accommodation depends on where you are, from the imposing and historic Imperial Hotel in Delhi, to the utterly beautiful Te Aora which overlooks the Himalayas, to the very comfortable but essentially basic camps that Misty and his team will set up for you on the river.
This last part is “glamping” and they do everything in their power to make your stay enjoyable and comfortable. Expect to be stunned and surprised by the food, bowled over by the charm of the staff and delighted by the guides.
