Fishing & Angling are a source of recreation to innumerable naturists belonging
to different strata of the society. In Western Countries, fishing as a sport is
being increasingly recognized by the medical authorities and more and more people
are coming out of indoors to try their skill for this outdoor hobby. Angling became
the favorite pursuit of the British during the ninetieth century and it was mainly
for this reason that exotic species viz. brown and rainbow trouts were transplanted
in Indian rivers and streams.
The introduced species of trout not only soon established in Indian waters but
also bred and propagated fastly in view of rich oxygenated waters and ideal ecological
condition of these rivers. Along with endemic mahseer (Tor putitora) the exotic
trout (Salmo trutta fario and Salmo gairdnerii) started offering excellent fishing
to the European anglers. The literature is replete with records that Himachal
Rivers and streams provided exciting fishing to a large number of sport lovers/
anglers and fishermen. Thomas (1897) brought a book ' Rod in India' which incorporated
his experiences of mahseer fishing in Northern Rivers.
The streams of Himachal Pradesh fall under two categories; General waters and
Trout waters, with estimated length of 600 and 2400 kms respectively. The major
State's streams include- Beas, Satluj, Ravi, Tirthan, Sainj, Uhl, Baspa, Pabar,
Lambadug, Giri, Rana, Nugal Gai, Baner, Bata, etc. The major fishes available
in these streams are Trout, Mahseer, Nemacheilus spp, Barilus sp, Schizothoracids
Crossocheilus sp. Glyptothorax spp. etc.Fishing in these streams is regularsied
under the state fisheries Act.
In trout water, licenses only for rod and line are permitted while in general
water both rod and line as well as cast netting is allowed. The department has
identified the following stretches as potential fishing sports for trout and mahseer.
Chirgaon has the trout hatchery, and other sites are - Seema, Mandil, Sandasu,
Tikri and Dhamvari; all are within 5 to 25 kms of Rohru. Kinnaur's Baspa river
in the Sangla valley also holds trout. The fish also abounds in the UHL river
near Barot. Good spots on this beat are - Luhandi, the Puran hachery. Tikkar and
Kamand. The upper reaches of the river Beas in the Kullu valley, and its side
streams like the Sarvari, Parbati, Sainj, Hurla and Tirthan - especially the areas
around Aut, Patlikuhl, Katrain, Raison and Largi - are excellent for the sport.
These are all up-stream of the Pandoh reservoir and are close to, or on the Mandi-Manali
highway.