Rod breaker Snakehead..

  Today we went out early in the morning,about 5:45 am.We headed to a small town outside of Kuching to a lake that used to be the heaven for giant snakehead.Things changed now,too much net fishing and water weed on the surface makes lure casting almost impossible at this lake.But couple of days ago,we were casting here and we saw a lot of big giant snake head chasing small fish at the other side of the lake,which was beyond the reach of our lure.They even jump out of the water to catch the birds that were diving down for the small fish on the surface!
  So today,we went with rubber dinghy and live catfish for bait.But while waiting for our friends to come with the pump,we did some lure casting with weedless frog lure,the only artificial lure that still works here,at least you still can get it back from the water safely without pulling out tonnes of weeds like other lures do.
  After bout half an hour,a decent size common snakehead strike the lure.This one is very angry and ran very hard until it broke the light action rod into two pieces.That was a good start to the day,broken rod is not a bad sign,it show that you caught a well fighting fish :) .
  And later,we pumped up the boat and down in the water toward the other side of the lake.Sun was shining bright,burning hot and sun block is necessary if you are not intend to get burned.After a couple of hours,still no bait.At one point point,we have to get back to the car to repair the boat that got poked by the hook.After repair,we went in again,now a bit further to the other side,chasing the sign of the fish submerge for air or catching their prey.Suddenly,there was a sound like a rush of strong air from beneath the boat.We hit a sharp wood under water.The wood was so small that we didn't notice it,but very sharp until it can puncture the boat.We made an emergency landing,for repair and to save ourselves from swimming back to the bank.
  After the second repair,the sun was too hot go out there again.So we did some small fishing and spear fishing for the tilapia by the lake side.And when our friends on the other boat came back,we went for lunch and call it the day,plus,the storm has arrived with thunderous heavy rain.....

The early morning view of the town.

This rod is retired today.

The angry bird...no..fish.

Have you ever seen the rain?

The weather was a bit cloudy when we left for the afternoon.From far we can see dark cloud toward the direction of the lake.But we keep going,hoping that it wouldn't be too bad for fishing.

We tried to check the river nearby,but the rain was getting heavier so we made a U-turn and went straight to the lake.The rain was a bit heavy but still we grab our stuff and start casting.It got heavier until at one point I ran back to the car to take cover and light up my cigarette.

After a while,the rain stop and the sun showing up again.But the sun didn't come alone,it brought with him a fisherman with a couple a nets! This guy starts setting up his nets around the lake.No wonder there were less and less Adong and Toman in this lake...we were not alone..and our competitor is equipped with better weapon and doesn't leave any prisoners behind...of course, you don't expect him to catch and release.

But we just keep casting...there is still hope..
Only one strike received at the main lake.Didn't know what fish it was,the rain was too heavy to see that far,but the way it stroked,it could have been an Adong.This area has about five or six lakes.The biggest lake has the most and the biggest fish.But the lowest level lake gave the most catch,maybe there are not much room for them so they are more concentrated and notice the lures easier.

We started at the main lake as usual,and then to the second biggest lake.It was until the lowest lake that I get a strike and landed the most co-operative fresh water fish,the Snake head fish.It's not really a great fighter compare to its cousin,Toman (the Giant Snake head),but sometime,it's enough to make your day.

Took some pictures with it before I let it go and let ourselves to go home to call it the day.
Since the last trip here I didn't take any picture of the surrounding,so today,I make sure I take enough pictures to share with the world.

The mist over the limestone hills.

The mining road leads until the water.

The calm before the storm.

The limestone hill foot touches the water.

The higher level and the second biggest lake.

The rocky bank.

The cave at the end of the road was a gold mine.

This is when I have to take cover from the rain.

The ever friendly and co-operative Snake head fish.

Better background for the picture.