|
 On
January 18th I went fishing at a private lake that was stocked with
big Barramundi fish. This was located in the Bang
Plakon area, a short drive from Bangkok.
My new fishing buddy is Max Mackenzie from Bangkok, but originally
from the Outer Hebrides Max has been a fisherman for 42 years
and fly fishing is his cup of tea. He has guided high-end
trout, sea trout and salmon fishing expeditions throughout the world
He has nothing but the best fly fishing gear and he ties his own flies.
You could say that he’s totally immersed into the wonderful
world of throwing feathers.
The weather on this day was typical for this time of the year. It
was a bit hot and very sunny. The lake had a marsh next to it and
it was full of birds. We saw a variety of egrets, cormorants, Black-winged
Stilts, Chinese Pond Herons, Black Drongos, White-vented Mynas, Common
Mynas and a couple of Indian Rollers.
We threw a variety of large streamer flies, but our luck wasn’t
so good. After about an hour Max caught a 12lb fish.
He told me to change the spool on my reel to an intermediate line.
He explained that the fish he had caught was laying near to the bottom.
After changing line the bites began to start coming. Barramundi eat
a range of aquatic food. This includes other fish, shrimp, crayfish,
crab and insects. They feed primarily at night, but they will eat
in the daytime if the opportunity arises. Barramundi are terrific
fighters and for some strange reason they tend to be most active in
the afternoon. Max had fished for them before, he knew this to be
the case. This was my very first Barramundi expedition. This was a
dream fish for me. Everything that I ever heard about this species
was that they fought like crazy. I would soon come to realize the
profound truth in this statement.
 Max
was a very good teacher. His suggestions were always timely and accurate.
For example, I didn’t realize that my casting wasn’t going
in a straight line back and forth. He mentioned that to me and told
me how to correct it. What a difference that little bit of help made.
My flies lay out flat and accurately.
When playing the fish, Max gave me great instructions. “These
fish are smart,” he said. “Keep them away from the pier
posts or you’ll lose them,” he explained.
The first fish I hooked into fought like no other fish I had ever
caught on a fly rod. Once hooked, the fish stripped line off of my
Watermark reel like crazy. “Let him run, let him tire out before
bringing him in, “ Max said. “Put your rod down low when
he jumps,” said Max. And jump he did… many times in fact.
Each time I worried that the violent head thrashing would expel my
fly. I got lucky, but not too lucky. This first fish was over ten
pounds, perhaps somewhere around twelve pounds. At one point it turned
and ran towards me, then switched directions. Snap! He got off. I
was heartbroken. Max said, “let me see the line.” “Ah,”
he said, “look at this.” The fish had cut the leader with
his sharp gill plate. The knot didn’t fail, it held. The loop
of the knot was cut in just about the right distance away from the
fly to assume that Max was correct… not that I doubted him.
I soon hooked into another big fish. It too cut the line. “Damn,”
I cried. “Am I ever going to land one of these fish?”
Max suggested that I take a break, so I did. “Relax and give
it another try in a while” he said. Sound advice I thought as
I was really frustrated by now.
Back out to the end of the pier, I threw a white Zonker. Wham! Fish
on! Oh, Max suggested that I switch from 6 pound test on one section
of the leader to RIO Poweflex wire so I could actually land
a fish. I’m glad I agreed. This fish was a fighter. I was physically
tired by the time I finally got him close enough to land. The fish
weighed in at around 6 pounds. It felt like a hundred.
Barramundi are the hardest fighting fish I’ve ever caught
on a fly rod… if not any rod. They hit really hard
and don’t give up until you land them. Max cautioned me several
time to let the fish run and get tired. “Take advantage of the
drag and don’t even think about bringing the fish in unless
it’s on the surface and on its side,” he warned.
All in all, and in spite of the stress of losing two very big fish,
this was one of the most fun fly fishing days I’ve ever had.
With the help of the seasoned professional, Max, I finally landed
a dream fish. You too can join Max on a fishing expedition for Barramundi
in private lakes around Bangkok .
Fly
fishing facts:
 Max
supplied me with a Loop 7 weight Rod, Lamson Waterworks Large Arbor
reel, RIO Floating Clouser line & RIO Intermediate line
Guests
are expected to supply heir own rod & reel. This is customary
in fly fishing. However Max will supply a good quality set of equipment
if someone on holiday wants a day or two of Barramundi fishing.
Max’s
fishing experience includes:
TROUT
- Rivers Itchen & Test in Hampshire. River Upper Avon in Wiltshire
(Chalkstreams), Cornbury Park, private estate in Oxfordshire. River
Clun, Shropshire SALMON & SEA TROUT Lower Avon in Hampshire, River
Wye Wales (also trophy grayling fishing), River Dovey (Wales). River
Barle, Somerset.
In Belize
Max guided on Turniffe flats (before it became popular), also Blue
Water in Belize. He also went jungle fishing in the Belize River.
And, of
course, Max fished heavily in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland... his
previous homeland of choice.
To read
more about fly fishing for Barramundi, Max has an excellent fact-filled
article on Rackelhanen's
online fly fishing magazine about fly
fishing for Barramundi.
Come
and join the fun!
Contact
Max
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