As professional photographers our needs are many and specific, but your office staff, guides and drivers worked in concert to meet our constant demands. Jami Tarris & Theo Allofs, Canada - 2007
Region: 40 km upstream of Corbett Ramganga in Kumaon region Duration: 12 Nights/13 Days tour by road Route: Delhi - Jainal - Marchula - Delhi Season: All year round Price: USD 1950 per person sharing
Highlights: Goonch fishing with live & dead bait, average size of 20 lbs and larger specimens well over 100 lbs, riverside temples, stay in ashrams and camps on the river
Introduction: Goonch, a giant catfish that grows well over 100 pounds, is the biggest fish on the Ramganga. This species is widespread throughout Asia, but the largest specimens are usually reported from India. Though very little is known about the elusive giant, our years of experience on the river, expert gillies and local expertise have led to several successful Goonch expeditions. The Jainal area, 40 km upstream from the Corbett tiger reserve in the upper section of the Ramganga, is one of the best stretches for the Goonch.
This giant catfish can grow to a length of over six feet and can run to 250 lb, though the biggest that has been caught on rod & line in recent time was one hundred and sixty-four pounds (Awala Row near Marchula) caught by an American angler in January 2001. The relatively unexplored Jainal area is known for really big catches as well.
Jainal has several Hindu shrines, some dating back to over 1000 years. Temples forbid killing of the wild ones, perhaps that’s the reason why such large specimens of Mahseer and Goonch can be found in spite of villages in the vicinity. A few kilometres downstream is the scenic confluence of the Gagas with the Ramganga. There’s good fishing near Kedar and Jainal and we stay in clean temple rest houses located on the river.
The area above Nagtaley till over 40 Kilometres is remote this entire stretch has no road access...perhaps the reason of it’s raw beauty, if you are not up to walking horses will move you around. Scattered villages and there terraced fields and ancient river temples and the occasional wildlife and large elusive fish is all there is. The nearest road head is about 8 km away at Harda that also has panoramic views of the Icy Himalayas.
We stay in camping tents on the river and have ponies to ferry our belongings. This area has been fished by very few anglers. Rafting is another excellent way to fish this stretch of the Ramganga, however from July till October only when the water level is high.
Day 01: Arrive Delhi Day 02: Delhi to Jainal (Palari Row) Day 03: Aitrow & Gothiya Row Day 04: Jainal to Harda Day 05: Anari Downstream Day 06 & 07: Deona Pul Day 08: Uniyal Gaon Day 09: Uniyal Gaon to Ramganga (Marchula beat) Day 10 & 11: Corbett (Ramganga beat) Day 12: Corbett to Delhi Day 13: Depart Delhi
