Vembanad Lake

For those out there encountering catfishes in the wild, post your experiences here.
Post Reply
User avatar
Shovelnose
Posts: 1240
Joined: 03 Sep 2008, 09:49
My articles: 5
My images: 116
My catfish: 4
My cats species list: 60 (i:4, k:0)
Spotted: 44
Location 1: Mumbai
Location 2: India

Vembanad Lake

Post by Shovelnose »

The moment my family decided to go on a vacation to Kerala, I tried to brainwash 'em into heading towards the greener pastures (for hobbyists) of Waynad. A lot of firm no's and some rather rude language later, Cochin and Kumarakom were chosen as the locations. Still sounded good as I hadn't been to these two places in around 6 years but I was also banned from carrying any nets as we were staying in some 'hoity toity aren't we grand' kinda hotels. x(

I was able to join in only half way as Metallica and Biffy Clyro were performing in Bangalore. This was the Four Horsemen Tour as well. Didn't wanna miss seeing 'em play songs from the first four albums.

A fairly good concert and a back ache inducing train journey later, I reached Kerala. We stayed on the shores of the Vembanad Lake so I went angling (if you can call it that).

Image

Image

The Vembanad Lake.

Image

A houseboat on the lake.


Image

Image

Close to sunset.

Image

The alleged rod.


Image

The alleged bait.

The catch.

Image

Image

Etroplus suratensis. Commonly known as the 'Karimeen' in Kerala. Found in abundance here and is the official fish of the state of Kerala.

Image

Image

. The first catfish I have caught with the rod.

Some large fish then tore the line off. Quite an embarrassing moment I should say. Looking at the water holding a piece of bamboo in my hand and a look of surprise on my face. Repaired the rod and resumed duties again.


Image

Image

Etroplus maculatus


Image

Puntius filamentosus. I didn't expect to catch any decent sized fish so I stole a small photography tank from a friend. Unfortunately for this poor Puntius, the tank was too small. Hence it seems to pose like a Headstander.


There was an abandoned canoe nearby. A close inspection revealed there were some fish inside it. I forced myself to not look at the hammock outside the room as this was the closest I could get to a net. Had to make do with a bucket.

Image

Puntius chola

Image

Puntius filamentosus (top) and P.chola (bottom).


Image

There were a lot of birds around. I could ID only the Cormorants and this Greater Coucal.


Image

Image

The Chinese fishing nets.

That was 'bout it. Great food,good weather and a Horabgarus. The perfect recipe for a vacation.
Balaji

Major: Now what's this... stone, stone, stone, (looks down at his hand) and scissors. Now. Scissors cut everything, don't they?
Sergeant: Not stone, sir.
Major: They're very good scissors!!
User avatar
Silurus
Posts: 12419
Joined: 31 Dec 2002, 11:35
I've donated: $12.00!
My articles: 55
My images: 893
My catfish: 1
My cats species list: 90 (i:0, k:0)
Spotted: 424
Location 1: Singapore
Location 2: Moderator Emeritus

Re: Vembanad Lake

Post by Silurus »

You did pretty well without the use of a net, I'd say. We could at least use some of the pics of the lake for the Horabagrus Cat-eLog entry.
Image
User avatar
Shovelnose
Posts: 1240
Joined: 03 Sep 2008, 09:49
My articles: 5
My images: 116
My catfish: 4
My cats species list: 60 (i:4, k:0)
Spotted: 44
Location 1: Mumbai
Location 2: India

Re: Vembanad Lake

Post by Shovelnose »

Thanks HH. Added a picture of the lake to the entry.
Balaji

Major: Now what's this... stone, stone, stone, (looks down at his hand) and scissors. Now. Scissors cut everything, don't they?
Sergeant: Not stone, sir.
Major: They're very good scissors!!
andregurov
Posts: 102
Joined: 18 Jan 2003, 04:31
My cats species list: 11 (i:2, k:3)
My aquaria list: 5 (i:0)
Spotted: 5
Location 1: future wetlands of America, Louisiana
Location 2: New Orleans, Louisiana

Re: Vembanad Lake

Post by andregurov »

Very cool; I've never really been attracted to the Etroplus species, but that E. suratensis looks incredible.
"What did the Caspian Sea?" - Saki
Viktor Jarikov
Posts: 5484
Joined: 26 Jan 2010, 20:11
My images: 11
My cats species list: 25 (i:0, k:0)
Spotted: 4
Location 1: Naples, FL
Location 2: USA

Re: Vembanad Lake

Post by Viktor Jarikov »

I expected nothing less of you, Balaji: perfect little story... even good as is for a children's short story book - excellent pics, humor, values lesson (though somewhat objectionable when it comes for the rest of your family... from a fish geek point of view), intrigue, suspense, enigma (unsolved, unfortunately - big fish/snake/turtle?), music, and an education in aquatic life. Per-r-rfect.
Thebiggerthebetter
fish-story.com
User avatar
Shovelnose
Posts: 1240
Joined: 03 Sep 2008, 09:49
My articles: 5
My images: 116
My catfish: 4
My cats species list: 60 (i:4, k:0)
Spotted: 44
Location 1: Mumbai
Location 2: India

Re: Vembanad Lake

Post by Shovelnose »

Thanks Viktor. I would say big fish. There were some 10-11" TL E.suratensis around. Either these or maybe or although these are just wild guesses. It was quite a powerful jerk.


Ps : What values lesson??? Only fish and food. :d
Balaji

Major: Now what's this... stone, stone, stone, (looks down at his hand) and scissors. Now. Scissors cut everything, don't they?
Sergeant: Not stone, sir.
Major: They're very good scissors!!
Viktor Jarikov
Posts: 5484
Joined: 26 Jan 2010, 20:11
My images: 11
My cats species list: 25 (i:0, k:0)
Spotted: 4
Location 1: Naples, FL
Location 2: USA

Re: Vembanad Lake

Post by Viktor Jarikov »

Lesson #1: Kids, be passionate.
Lesson #2: Kids, don't put yourselves first - submit to your family demands. Humility is >>>> than passion.
Lesson #3: Be inventive and resourceful. Something about lemonade... When life takes away your nets, make home-grown angling rods.
Thebiggerthebetter
fish-story.com
drako57
Posts: 23
Joined: 09 Jun 2013, 10:55
My cats species list: 1 (i:0, k:0)
My aquaria list: 1 (i:1)
Location 2: Pune,India

Re: Vembanad Lake

Post by drako57 »

omg ! You went for Metallica ? :O Next time theres a concert in blore, lets meet up and do a fishing trip :P How far is this lake from blore ?
Winter is Coming
User avatar
Shovelnose
Posts: 1240
Joined: 03 Sep 2008, 09:49
My articles: 5
My images: 116
My catfish: 4
My cats species list: 60 (i:4, k:0)
Spotted: 44
Location 1: Mumbai
Location 2: India

Re: Vembanad Lake

Post by Shovelnose »

Vembanad Lake is around 600 kms from Bangalore. I doubt if I will be travelling anywhere near that side for the next two years as I will be in Delhi during this period.
Balaji

Major: Now what's this... stone, stone, stone, (looks down at his hand) and scissors. Now. Scissors cut everything, don't they?
Sergeant: Not stone, sir.
Major: They're very good scissors!!
Post Reply

Return to “Travellers note book”