The Mahakali Expedition

Imagine casting in a river with India on one side and Nepal on the other. Now, throw in some whitewater rafting on this borderline river, including a run through class 4 rapids. And cap this adventure with the conquest of nothing less than the holy grail of freshwater fishing: the Golden Mahseer. That is, in short, India Angling’s Kali River Fishing Tour for you. A total bang for your buck.

What makes this tour stand out from the rest is the sheer sensory blitz that comes along with it. Firstly, the drive through the remote and quaint villages of Kumaon in the North Indian state of Uttarakhand gives you a peek into the local life that any eager outsider keeps an eye peeled for. The fishing expedition begins at the confluence of the Kali river and the Gori Ganga. You no sooner wet your toes than you are running class 3 rapids for a 25 km downstream journey. Then on, there’s no looking back.

The Kali river originates in the watershed bordering India and Tibet. By the time it meets the Gori Ganga, it is well out of the alpine zone and into the verdant hilly landscape of Kumaon. The scenery here can be a welcome distraction for even the most focused angler, and the sandy banks a perfect invite for a short picnic break between long fishing stints.

The best spot to fish at is Pancheshwar, where the Kali river meets the Saryu river and the water is abundant and full of many kinds of fish, not least the Mahseer. Whether you fly-fish or spinner-fish, trust the Mahseer to be a formidable adversary. A Rapala lure or copper spoon when cast deep in the emerald waters at Pancheshwar may tempt the Golden Mahseer. But hooking up the fish is one thing, landing it is a different ball game altogether.

When putting up a fight, the Golden Mahseer can snap a line or strip hundreds of yards of it in a matter of seconds, such is this river monster’s blistering run. The prize catch is hauled out of the water for just a trophy photograph before being released back in the river. Besides the Golden, Pancheshwar may also yield Copper Mahseer, or the rare Red fin Mahseer.

Hardly a day goes by on this tour when you don’t run rapids. Our experienced guides are trained rafters who have navigated the river umpteen times and know the fish better than the back of their hands. Fishing and rafting apart, you get to watch the wonderful flora and fauna of Kumaon hills. There’s plenty to admire. At one spot, you may come upon stalactite formations on rocky outcrops. At another, you may find yourself sharing the river with elephants.

India Angling’s itinerary of Kali Fishing Tour is drawn to give you memories you won’t forget in a hurry.