Hidden paradise in the city Brandon Ho FFI CCI After a freak storm that created extensive damage to Taman Botani, Fly Fishing and Lure Casting Centre, was forced to close its door due to safety concerns. This is sad day for fly fishers as they have lost paradise that is so close to city. Though located less than an hour away from the city centre, this place offers great fly fishing opportunities for the hard fighting “Pacu”, better known as the fresh water GT with its blistering run and never say die attitude. There is no shame in losing this fish and landing one, especially on a #6 is a cause for celebration. Since its reopening on 16 August 2019, many fly fishers have revisited this Pacu infested pond. I have always wanted to revisit this place but it was only in January that I finally made the trip there with Nic, Clevin from FTC and Thian, a relatively new fly fisher who has not caught a Pacu on fly yet. This would be the day for him to receive the baptism of fire from the notorious Pacu. On the bright Sunday morning, we headed to Taman Botani and made our customary stop at one of the stalls opposite the Seksyen 6 wet market. Their “nasi dagang” is to die for and one plate of the steamed rice in coconut milk, generously smothered in thick tuna curry and accompanied with pickled cucumber, carrots and onions is enough to provide you with the sustenance for a full day of fishing. By the time we reached, it was already 9 am. The sun was already warming up the air and evaporating the morning mist. We were the first one there and the sight of rising fish was an invitation that was hard to resist. However, there was work to be done. We were there to shoot a product video on a new product. Hard as it was, we managed to photograph, video and even test the product without losing focus to the distracting ripples caused by the rising fish. Our first fly landed on the water and anticipation of a strong pull followed by a long blistering run filled our minds. With slow figure of eight strip, the fly was slowly retrieved and then cast out again. This happened again and again. Sweat was trickling down our faces. The morning sun had slowly but surely increased in intensity, draining us of our energy and also optimism of landing a fish. I had already begun carelessly casting to the shallows, hoping to hook one of the earth eater that could be seen to inquisitively follow our slow moving fly. Seeking reprieve from the burning sun, I seek shelter in the gazebo facing the pond. Nik, the owner of FFLCC was there. He told me that the fishing yesterday was very different. Fish after fish were landed, regardless of the type of flies used. The fly fishers were too tired after the fishing marathon and decided to call it quits. Now, that’s very rare. Have you heard of a fly fisher who would leave a fishing frenzy? Later in the afternoon, we began to see other anglers landing fish and not to be one to lose out, we geared up and headed to the two wooden platforms to begin our assault on the fish. The fish were feeding on the surface and we changed to a hopper pattern, the same one that proved to be successful for the graylings and lenoks in Mongolia. Leaving the fly to float on the surface and with the occasional twitch to catch the attention of any passing fish, we mentally prepared for the inevitable battle with the mighty Pacu. It finally happened, with a splash, the light ocher yellow fly disappeared under the translucent green water and the line pulled tight, threatening to yank the fly rod out of my hands. The line whizzed through the snake guides, bending the rod. I watched the line in amazement, bringing back the memory of my very first Pacu caught in this very same spot. Then the line went limp, the rod straightened and my heart sank. The fish was gone… together with my confidence. Dejectedly, I reeled my line in only to discover that the leader had been cut off clean. Fishing for these brutes requires more than fishing skills. Luck plays a big role too. With the hook either in the mouth or on the lip can mean the difference between a landed fish and a sulking angler. After putting on a similar fly, I casted to a nearby ripple and the next moment was a blur of whizzing lines, bent rod and confused running about the wooden platform. The fish fought hard and long, even when it is near, it continued to stubbornly resist by swimming on its side, using the bulk of its body to prevent itself from being guided it to be landed. Several fail attempts later, the fish was gently lifted out of the water. The fly sat nicely at the corner of the mouth, away from the menacing teeth, used for crushing the hard fruits that is the typical food of the Pacu. I was not the only one landing fish. All of use landed multiple fish and losing even more. Later in the afternoon saw the fish becoming more active, giving us double and triple hook up. Thian got several good size fish that almost humiliated him but finally gave him a good profile picture. He had caught his first Pacu on fly. All in, the 4 of us landed a total of 12 fishes, losing even more and we were not even fishing seriously. It was more of a fun trip focused on having a great time. The fish here really do fight hard and I began to understand why the previous group opted to leave early. By 5.00pm I was ready to leave too. Other anglers had packed and waiting to go…
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