There was to be a competition to catch the much respected Giant Snakehead or Shado as it is known in Thailand, with over a hundred competitors taking part from over Thailand.
I had been lucky enough to catch a Shado in excess of 7kg in Bung Sam Ran,Bangkok, 2 years ago, but this fish was caught on livebait and this competition required the use of lures, which I know from experience can be hard work.
I was to accompany, Reiner Agethen, owner of the soon to be re-opend Dreamlake Fishery in Chiang Mai, his friend Jee, the owner of a local fishing tackle shop and two other thai friends, all experienced Snakehead fisherman.
We met up early on the Saturday morning and drove the four hour journey to Uttaradit, the last few kilometers proved to be difficult as road works and detour sent us off road over dirt tracks, still wet from earlier rain, there were some anxious moments as we were traveling in two wheel drive vehicle but we ploughed on through eventually coming back to a tarmac road only a few hundred meters from the dam.
There were already many fisherman unloading their tackle and launching their boats, which were all shapes and sizes, from very basic to sophisticated complete with fishfinders, 50 hp Yamaha engines and electric trolling motors.
The Annual TTFTMA Lure Fishing Competition 2006. At the Queen Sirikit Dam in Northern Thailand, a Great venue for snakehead fishing in Thailand.
Eager to experience some fishing, Reiner and I made a exploratory fishing trip with our guide. Our boat was a fairly small basic longtail, which means we have to remain seated while casting and any clumsy movement had the boat rocking wildly from side to side.
Our guide was experienced and eager to please, as we set off we were immediatly impressed with the size and beauty of this place, it was an enormous expanse of water with island after island appearing it was at once apparent that you could easily get lost.
We motored about one hour before entering some very likely looking coves where we cast our lures repeatedly trying to anoy a fish enough to strike on our bait.
The lure I choose was one recommended by my good friend Jean Francois Helias (Fishing Adventures Thailand), he is based in Bangkok, and I had used it on a previous trip, when I accompanied him to the Sri Nakarin Dam.
Bruce Dale, English Ex Pat. Fishing in Thailand for Giant Snakeheads at the Queen Sirikit Dam a few hundred Kilometers north of Chiang Mai.
That evening I had 3 strikes on that lure by what appears to large fish, but they did not connect.
The fish seemed to ignore my friend Reiners lures and after three hours fishing we headed back to base for tea.
That evening was taken up with eating, drinking and enrollment, I must admit I was impressed how professionally the competition was organized by TFTMA, photographs were taken and individual I.D. Cards were issued to all competitors.
On a lighter note a raffle was held in good humour where a large number of prices where handed out. To our much amusement Jee, our tackle shop owner, won a nice fishing rod, which we were convinced would be a part up for sale in his shop when we returned.
The night was spent on a wooden houseboat
We woke bleary eyed to the sound of outboard engines being fired up, it was at 5.a.m. start and did not seem long since closing our eyes.
Setting out very early in the morning for some Snakehead fishing in Thailand at the Queen Sirikit Dam. Bruce Dale relaxing on a very hot days lure fishing in Thailand for Giant Snakeheads.
Watching the competitors leave was quite a spectical heading into the sunrise. All competitors had to wear life jackets for safety on such a large water and all were handed a large polythene bag, containing a number of fish fry to be released at different locations all over the reservoir. A token gesture for the future of angling, but nevertheless a step into the right direction. To many times I have witnessed people taking every fish they catch no matter how small until there is nothing left to catch without a thought for tomorrow.
Eventually it was our time to leave, and our guide motored again for about one hour and then guided us into a lovely looking inlet, full of likely hiding places. We fished hard working our lures as close to snags and overhanging branches as possible.
I had great faith in the lure I had used the previous evening but this morning the Shado ignored it at all. While Reiner changed lures constantly until he found that the fish seemed to like. During the morning he had a number of strikes at that lure, artificial frog, but unfortunatly the fish did not connect.
We moved from place to place without success.
At one stage Reiners reel give up the ghost and we traded rods for a while.
By 2.p.m. the heat got too much for us and we headed back to the base camp for some food and drinks, where we waited in anticipation for the other anglers to return.
The Winner of the TTFTMA Lure Fishing Competition 2006. At the Queen Sirikit Dam. Thailand. A fine 7.2kg Giant Snakehead (Shado), landed by Nung of Chiang Mai.
The results were a little bit disappointing as only a few fish were landed. The competition was won with a fine 7.2kg Shado, landed by Nung another friend of Reiner, from Chiang Mai, which was photographed and duely returned to the water, it was refreshing to see Catch + Release being practiced in Thailand.
It was a very interesting and enjoyable experience and a place I would like to make a return visit.
Many thanks to Reiner and Jee who made me feel welcome in pursuit of the Shado.
Bruce Dale.
Fishing trips to the very beatifull Queen Sirikit Dam in Northern Thailand can easily be arranged,For Booking info, enquiries or any questions please email tours@megafishingthailand.com we are always happy to help with all enquiries.
Tight Lines!!
TTFTMA Lure Fishing Competition 2006. Queen Sirikit Dam. Thailand. As an ex- trout fish farmer and fishery manager from Northumberland/England and very keen angler, relocating to Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand, I was excited to be invited on a fishing expedition to the largest reservoir in Thailand, the Queen Sirikit Dam near Uttaradit.