The Cauvery?s feisty mahseer is among the largest freshwater fish to be found in the world, with some fine specimens reaching an awe-inspiring size of 63 1/2 kg. That?s why this little village in the jungles of Mandya plays host to anglers from around the world, boasting not one but three camps to meet the demand.
The disappearance of mahseer look-alikes in Ireland and Malaysia has placed the fish firmly on the list of endangered species. Which means you don?t get to take your catch home, but have to release it after photographs have been taken and congratulations received. If you catch any other fish (up to 5 pounds), you can save it for your dining table.
Even if you aren?t a keen angler yourself, watching others do the hard work is quite an absorbing task. The size and immense strength of the fish makes the sport a test of patience and perseverance for even the most experienced angler. Making a catch can take hours of patient waiting and skill gained over the years. But when you finally bag the mahseer, the victory tastes as sweet as its firm flesh. Which, of course, you may not eat.