Ramganga Fishing/Rafting Expedition, Corbett (30 September - 14 October, 2006)

Wild World India undertook a path breaking Rafting & Angling expedition on the Corbett Ramganga for 5 Swedish anglers to fish for the Goonch and the legendary Mahseer. The expedition was perhaps the first of its kind in terms of its scope and the unchartered territory it covered. Starting from Jainal, we covered 60 km downstream to Vanghat River Lodge near Marchula. A survey conducted in 2005 by The Wildlife Institute of India has recorded forty three species belonging to six orders and nine families of fish in this river system. The Mahseer, Goonch, Indian Trout and the lesser Known Kalabasu thrive here.

The group of 5 comprised of Stefan Burnert, a well know fisherman from Sweden (www.fish-adventure.com), Dr Fredrik Huss (noted plastic surgeon), Bo Michael Söderfeldt, Sven Berndt Thomas Isaksson and Per-Ola Johannesson, a well known writer and an internationally renowned journalist and reporter. His articles have been published in several magazines all over the world - England, Italy, Belgium, United states. Per-Ola regularly contributes articles to Sweden's biggest magazine "Fiskejournalen", the top fishing magazines in Germany and is also the author of a book about carpfishing.

The Rafting/Angling expedition spent 14 days fishing the Ramganga, primarily for the Goonch and Mahseer. The yellow-fin or Golden Mahseer is a cult fish for anglers as it is a legendary fighter, a trait that has earned it the nickname ‘Tiger of the Waters’. However, of late, there has been a lot of interest in the Goonch, a giant catfish that is the biggest fish on the Ramganga. It can grow to a length of over six feet and run up to 250 lbs.



In the north eastern corner of Corbett, the Ramganga is met by the Mandal, a confluence known as Domuda. From here the Ramganga is a typical Himalayan river with deep pools and glorious runs. The stretch above the Tiger reserve roughly above Marchula bridge enters scattered villages with there terraced fields and small temples and ashrams all the way up to the source. Jainal area in the Upper Ramganga has several Hindu shrines, some dating back to over 1000 years. A few kilometres downstream is the confluence of Gagas with the Ramganga. Temples forbid killing of the wild ones. Perhaps that’s the reason of such large Mahseer and Goonch in spite of villages in the vicinity. The biggest Goonch that has been caught on rod & line in recent time was one hundred and sixty-four pounds near Marchula caught by an American angler in January 2001. After days of angling in prime wilderness, with rafting and walking in some stretches, the tour drifted down finally to Vanghat River Lodge. Regular sport-fishermen on the Ramganga vouch for the fact that Vanghat is the best fishing beat in India amidst untouched wilderness.

Photo: Ellenor Gibbons

Vanghat River Lodge, located upstream of the Corbett Tiger reserve, is an initiative to protect a highly endangered and endemic fish by involving the local community as stakeholders and providing employment opportunities to the people living in this remote region. Part of a Community Based Tourism initiative, the wilderness lodge maintains its exclusive fishing beats with several deep pools and diverse species. Vanghat has several beats called raws. Charidhunga Raw is an A1 pool where numerous big catches of Mahseer, close to 70 lb have been reported. Rani & Amdai raw in the upstream section are also good beats. We crossed the Ramganga on several occasions and observed Otters & Soft-shell Terrapins. Later, we also hiked to the surrounding forest teeming with birds and wildlife, something not permitted inside the Park.


By the end of the 15-day expedition, we had caught several trout, the odd Kalabasu, over 80 Mahseer and only 2 Goonch, further adding to the mystique of the giant catfish.