A number of years ago I found myself planning to attend a conference in New Delhi in India. As this was my first time travelling to the sub-continent, and unsure if it would be my only trip there, I decided that I would explore some of the country.

I got out the map and examined the location of the city in relation to the goegraphy of the country and specifically its proximity to the Himalayas. I then began thinking: What if?

What if I could go fishing for Mahseer, one of the prized fish of that part of the world, one that I had only read about up until then. So I did some online research and discovered a company called Tiger Paw Adventures headed up by Inder Jit (IJ) Singh. We communicated and planned an excursion and, boy, was I looking forward to it.

Fast forward to the trip itself. I packed 2 cases, one for the conference and one for the trip. I landed in New Delhi, was collected by IJ, I dropped my conference bag at the hotel, had a quick shower and change, and headed for the train station. If I had throught that the airport was crowded, it was nothing compared to the train station! I then discovered that there are 6 or 7 different classes; we travelled in 2nd which I deemed to be the lap of luxury. Around 7 hours later we arrived in Hardwar and were collected by IJ's crew and driven to Risikesh and onto IJ's lodge on the side of the Ganga (Ganges).

The next few days were among the most memorable of my life, being surrounded by some incredible people - including some avid anglers and many locals, some being poachers-turned-gamekeepers - and stunning scenery and wildlife, including tracking cheetahs' footprints in the sands to monkeys and many varieties of birds with colourful plumage and distinctive calls. We rafted down stretches of the river, camped on the banks, explored villages that had no road access and just one generator was acquired so that the villagers could watch the cricket on television, not for lighting or heating. The topography was stunning too, with contours showing the irrigation systems for the tilled land, with much of the flatter land under cultivation or for animal husbandry.

And, yes, I did catch some Mahseer in the Ganges and, yes, they were all returned alive to grow bigger and fight another day. (I subsequently returned to India a number of times and caught a number of Mahseer in the Cauvery River south of Bangalore (including one of 17kg) from the aptly-named Crocodile Pool, the same day we had come across a herd of wild elephants. We also fished the river from coracles...

So why this historical flashback? IJ contacted me a few months back and told me about a wildlife/fishing expecition he is organising next March (provisional dates: 5-12 March 2016) and has invited me to be part of the team. What a tempting opportunity! And it's not just the thought of fishing, it's the extraordinary location which would arguably be once-in-a-lifetime! But anyone else can join in this unique opportunity too.

The expedition is set around an Angling and Rafting Itinerary in Arunchal Pradesh (in the remote north east of India, near the borders of Tibet, Bhutan and Myanmar) for seasoned anglers in search of the Mahseer, described as the greatest inland river fighting fish, rated highly by anglers from the times of the Raj to the present. Due to their locations, the waters have been preserved and the fish are abundant - it's just that anglers need to be skilled to catch them! While the habitat of the Mahseer may have been affected by various factors, it is eco-tourism companies such as Tiger Paw Adventures that have helped create a sustainable environment for the fish, locals and visiting

anglers alike.

ITINERARY

Day 01: Arr Kolkata
Having arrived Kolkata by flight, transfer to hotel for overnight
Overnight: Taj Bengal

Day 02: Kolkata-Dibrugarh
After breakfast, board flight # AI 705, 10:05-11:40 to Dibrugarh
Overnight: Mancotta Chang Bungalow

Day 03: Dibrugarh-Basar
After breakfast, cross the River by private ferry and drive to Basar (150km, 5-6hrs)
Overnight: Basar

Day 04: Basar-Damporijo
After breakfast, drive to Damporijo (140km, 5hrs), take off on rafting & angling trip.
Overnight: Camp

Day 05: Subansiri River for Angling
Rafting and Angling along the Subansiri River
Overnight: Camp

Day 06: Subansiri River for Angling
Angling along the Subansiri River
Overnight: Camp

Day 07: Subansiri River for Angling
Angling along the Subansiri River
Overnight: Camp

Day 08: Subansiri River for Angling
Angling along the Subansiri River
Overnight: Camp

Day 09: Subansiri River-Geruka Mukh
Disembark at Geruka Mukh
Overnight: Guest House

Day 10: Geruka Mukh-Dibrugarh
After breakfast, drive back to Dibrugarh and cross the River by private ferry
Overnight: Mancotta Chang Bungalow

Day 11: Dibrugarh-Kolkata
After early lunch board flight # 6E 206, 14:30-16:05 to Kolkata, connect with onward International flights.

Costs:

Group of 4: USD 4,565 per person

Group of 5: USD 4,150 per person

Group of 6: USD 3,725 per person

The costs cover almost everything from when the tour group meets up in Kolkata:

• Accommodation on twin/double sharing basis
• Meals plan is on full board basis (breakfast, lunch and dinner) except Kolkata, Guwahati and Dibrugarh where it is on bed and breakfast basis only
• Angling
• Rafting
• Ferry
• All restricted area permits
• All transfers and sightseeing by AC vehicle
• Domestic economy class air fares as per the Itinerary
• English speaking guide as per the Itinerary
• Fuel charges
• All State Entries
• Two tribal cultural performances
• All currently applicable taxes

What are excluded are items of a personal nature like alcoholic drinks, Mineral water, laundry, telephone calls, tips, etc;

For further details, see www.tigerpawadventures.com.  For inquiries and reservations, email: tigerpawsindia@gmail.com.