Hi and welcome to the September 2016 newsletter, our monthly roundup of news, catch reports, Fishing in Thailand and anything remotely connected to our little slice of paradise out here in Krabi.
Well it’s been quite rainy here this month! Nothing that the drains and lakes couldn’t handle, but we have certainly seen our fair share of rain, especially compared to last year and in fact we had a week or so of it, where it seemed like it just didn’t stop.
Sean took Dale, Stix, Chris and local friend and occasional guide Bob Bolton, up to Bangkok to see British comedian Jimmy Carr on his latest world tour. Whilst we all waited with baited breath to hear what things had gone disastrously wrong, I am pleased to say they all came back unscathed, uninjured and only one with a shocking hangover, which was Dale, and he was very subdued for a day or two after. The big dog was away with Benz and Jack in England, and they all seemed to have a nice time and no doubt were happy to spend some quality time together!
Nick and his girlfriend had a nice little holiday ending up in Cambodia, and the pictures that came back were amazing! There is temple after temple near where they stayed, and they all look straight out of Tomb Raider! Amazing stuff, and if I get the chance to visit for a couple of days before I leave, then I am definitely going!
I went to Koh Lanta for a couple of days, which was OK, nice and quiet, but I didn’t think it was as nice as Phi Phi. I also managed to catch my river monster in the shape of a 350lb arapaima, which meant I could finally get one of my tongue in cheek “Gillham’s Monsters” videos finished. They are quite childish, and I don’t think Jeremy Wade has much to worry about, but if you are interested in watching it then go to SPUGREDFERNTV on YouTube and look at Gilham’s Monsters part 5 (part 2) if you want the whole story watch part 5 (part 1) first.
Right that’s all the waffling finished, so best we get on with the whos, the whys and the flipping ‘ecks from this month’s fishing.
The anglers who visited us for the exotic fishing in Thailand, had some good fishing in Krabi this month with a total of 527 fish caught of 20 species, made up as follows: twelve arapaima to 500lb, two alligator gar to 70lb, 86 Amazon red tail catfish to 60lb, 77 Asian red tail catfish to 40lb, nine black pacu to 52lb, two tilapia to 5lbs, one chao phraya of 140lbs, two giant featherback to 10lbs, 27 Julian’s golden prize carp to 45lb, ten Mekong catfish to 180lb, two Nile perch to 8lb, one ripsaw catfish of 30lbs, 283 Siamese carp to 170lb, two giant freshwater stingray to 140lbs, five spotted sorubim to 35lbs, one wallago leeri of 20lbs, one tambaqui of 35lbs, one giant gourami to 4lbs, a tiger shovel nose catfish of 6lbs and a small snakehead.
Jo Green and her fella Mike made their usual trip to see us this September. Mike brought a boat rod along with a multiplier reel, as he had his sights set on one of the big giant freshwater stingrays. Jo, being Jo, was going to give the Siamese a good battering and happily reel in anything else that came along. They both started off on the sala side, and quickly got amongst the fish; in fact Jo pulled three good sized Siamese carp to 90lb out on her first full day’s fishing, and that was from Sala 3. But it didn’t take her long to move, and she then went and whacked the Siamese carp over in swim D3. She also had an Amazon red tail catfish of 50lb, a Mekong catfish of 120lb, Asian red tails to 35lb, pacu to 20lb and a much sought after wallago leeri of 20lbs. We lost count of the total amount of Siamese she caught, but there were loads of them, and two of them were caught at the same time! Mike also caught a load of Siamese carp to 85lb, two spotted sorubims to 35lb, a good few Asian red tails to 35lb, Julian’s golden carp to 35lb, a small Nile perch and a small snakehead, Amazon red tails to 55lbs. Then on his last day he caught the fish he was after when he placed a bait in the edge and actually watched the 140lb giant freshwater stingray take his bait before a 40-minute battle to land it – awesome stuff!
Craig Diamond made a return visit, and this time he brought his friend Mark Luckman along for the ride. Craig was hoping for a 100lb-plus Siamese carp, and he got that, plus quite a few others. He also landed an arapaima of 70lbs, a few Asian red tails to 35lb, a nice gourami and a 55lb Amazon red tail. Mark had Siamese to 75lb, Amazon red tails to 60lb, Asian red tails to 35lb and he was over the moon with a 60lb arapaima. Mark seemed to really enjoy himself, and he landed his fair share of fish.
Lee Phillips came out here for his surprise 40th birthday present organised by his girlfriend Kelly, and things went rather well for him with Chao Phraya over 100lb, Siamese to 170lb with another two over the hundred, giant freshwater stingray of 140lb, Mekong over 100lb, spotted sorubim of 25lbs and Amazon red tail catfish to 45lb, so all in all, a really good trip for him.
Rob Harrington and his fishing mate, Eugene, love two things – beer and carp – simple as that! It’s an easy one to write, as they had plenty of both! They pretty much only fished for the carp and only drank Tiger beer, of which they pretty much cleared us out on a daily basis! Rob had loads of carp to 150lb, and Eugene the same to 145lb. We had to laugh, as straight after Eugene landed his 145lb Siamese carp, he landed a 180lb Mekong the next cast! They had us all in fits of laughter, and they really seemed to enjoy themselves, which I guess is what it’s all about, isn’t it?
Donald McMillan came along with his wife, and he really had some amazing fish. The first day saw him land a 500lb arapaima and a 25lb Hoven’s carp and two Amazon red tail catfish to 35lbs – not bad, eh? Well, by the end he had caught a load of Siamese carp to 130lb, a tiger shovel nosed catfish, a spotted sorubim of 20lbs and Asian red tails to 30lbs!
Henri, Mass and Robin came from Holland, and these three had a superb trip! Henri was mad for the fishing and that showed in the results, as he had some cracking fish including Mekong to 120lb, Siamese carp to 138lb, Amazon red tail catfish to 70lb and Julian’s to 45lbs, and he was really pleased about it. Robin also had quite a few nice fish, but notably he had more sleep than the rest and usually turned up about 11am. He was happy with what he caught and loved his 40lb Julian’s. Maas took a day or two to get going, but when he did, he did it in style, as one day he had an eight-fish hit including a ripsaw catfish, Siamese carp to 90lb and a couple of Asian red tails.
Wayne White and his girlfriend Tracey enjoyed a few day’s fishing here. He fished in Sala 1 and then A1 and caught a lot of Amazon red tail catfish to 70lb, Siamese to 95lb and a Mekong catfish of 140lb.
Steve Middleton and his wife, Viv, came over for their first trip to Gillhams. They both fish at home and both really enjoy their time together fishing, which was clear to see! Steve fished well and quickly got the hang of how to catch the Siamese carp. He had a few around the 65lb mark and also a superb Amazon red tail of 60lbs, but the pick of the bunch had to be a 35lb tambaqui. They also had a go at the top lake and Viv’s first was one of the stunning little Siamese carp up there. She also landed a nice 60lb Siamese carp from the main lake. They really enjoyed themselves, and I am sure we will see them again!
Steve Flynn came over here for his birthday celebrations too. It was planned for a few days’ fishing and a few days’ holidaying with his wife, Jill. Steve was hoping for a big carp and when he landed an 85lb’er he was made up and just couldn’t believe it. Imagine his reaction when the next one weighed 145lb!! They seemed to really enjoy themselves, and Steve just kept saying, “This place really is the next level up; it really is…” After many years of fishing in France, I think Gillham’s blew his mind a bit!
Ben Newton also made a return visit. This time he was hoping for an arapaima over 100lb, and he was praying for his first 100lb Siamese carp. Things started nicely for him, and he had his first big Siamese carp on his second day at 105lb. Two days later he had another at 140lb, and he then went on to land a 130lb’er and a 110lb’er plus others below those weights. His luck continued when he then turned his attentions to the arapaima. He swapped swims and fished in Sala 1 where he had seen them showing. Using a float with a dead fish on it, he cast around the swim at pretty much anything that showed, and his reward was four Amazon red tails and a 160lb arapaima on his first day. Before he left, he also landed a big Chao Phraya catfish at 140lb and then a big pacu, which was weighed at 52lbs – strewth! When your luck’s in…
We’ll see you all again next month, with more news of rod-bending MONSTER fish action!
For those of you planning a return or first trip, please send us your enquiry via our enquiries page
Best wishes and tight lines from us all at Gillhams, and we hope your next fish is the one of your dreams (which it probably will be if you come to Gillhams)!