Temenggor Lake, Perak – 12 MAR 2016
Fresh water (FW) expedition, it is a new kind of adventure for me. For the past couple of years been looking for a chance to explore the fresh water fishing spot around the Malaysian peninsular but I don’t know somehow I ended up in the middle of the sea. Since the Batu Arang session, I have been asking around for any other freshwater trip. Lucky me, another acquaintance offered me and other Fishyologist for an adventure out at Temenggor Lake.
Lead by Man Kejor, we all embark on a journey which is something new for some of us to the majestic Temenggor Lake. Located around 370km from Kuala Lumpur, the journey took us around 4-5 hours travelling along the PLUS highway. Many things were playing in everyone’s mind since this was the first FW trip but lucky our leader, Man Kejor is very knowledgeable and we had a chance to gain more info from his past experience. Not to forget is our arsenal. For this trip, we are all equipped with light to medium bait casting / spinning setup (8-16lb ~ 10-16lb). Since this is the first time, we brought a bunch of lures to try out. Varies from top water pencil, spoons, divers and vibes but the recommended ones are divers for Snakeheads aka Toman and spoons for Sebarau.
As we continue the journey up north, we stopped over at Bidor for refreshments and continue our journey till Kuala Kangsar exit followed by slow stroll along the interstate road where stopped at Gerik for a power nap while waiting for the breakfast stall to open. At 6:30 in the morning the breakfast is ready, we packed the breakfast and head out to the jetty which is another 45 minutes’ drive from the town. As we reach the jetty, we can see other groups getting ready but equipped with some serious hiking equipment. According to Man Kejor, they’re heading out into the Royal Belum Rainforest Park where hiking is one of the only way to travel between fishing spots hunting down trophy size Sebarau and Kelah.
View from the main jetty, Gooooood Morninnnng!
By 9am we met the boatman and head out to our chalet. It is a very basic chalet and comfy enough for us to sleep and to keep our belongings. Done with chalet, we set our gears up and head out fishing!~
Getting ready to head into the wild!
Million and one questions playing in the mind while enjoying the scenic view
From left: Azrul, Kejor and Bad at the back getting ready
The first spot is Air Banun, we did notice a couple of mama snakeheads taking their offspring up to the surface but doesn’t seem to bother when we cast those lure near them. A few cast and we move on to next spot; Samho. By the time we reached the second spot it was already in the afternoon. The sky is clear, sun shining bright and strong wind blowing which makes us to take cover in the small coves of the lake. Lucky for us, there is a nearby spot that we can fish while taking shelter.
After a few cast, Man Kejor hooked on to something. By looking at the rod action, it was a Sebbie (Sebarau). Though it’s a medium sized fish, but it gave all of its best before giving up. The fight lasted for minutes before the fish come to the side of the boat. It had fallen for the spoon that Man Kejor been using. The size is around 400gm-700gm, so we decide that this one is a keeper and will be cooked for dinner later.
Minutes later, Badrul’s spoon was snatched by another Sebarau. But the fight does not last long, it was a juvenile Sebarau. The juvie was safely revived and released. With the scorching heat of the sun, we decide to hide further deep into the cove where we can prepare our lunch which is.. Instant Noodles.!~ So Man Kejor and Badrul did the cooking while others getting ready for lunch. After a good meal, we decide to take a break while enjoying the scenery.
Man Kejor with the first fish of the trip fallen for the spoon
Bad with his juvenile Sebbie!~
Rest of the team member enjoying lunch under the jungle canopy
We started fishing again around 3pm, the boatman took us to Air Ular spot for some Snakehead action. This time, we’re using top water lure such as pencils or jump frog. As the casting continues, we tried out almost every part of Air Ular and suddenly a group of juvie snakeheads started to attack Man Kejor’s pencil. Sadly it was not hooked on nicely and the fish manage to escape. When that happened, I quickly cast my jumpfrog towards the commotion and can feel a rough snatch. The baby snakehead took the lure and ran towards the tree branch. The boatman had to maneuver close to the spot to release the line from tangling before we manage to land the fish.
After the baby Snakehead session, we head out to another spot called Air Kedah. Here, trolling technique is applied where deep diving crankbait is used to lure those fish out. It was a long and curvy waterway and trolling at a slow pace can cause you to fall asleep especially when you only had 2 hours of powernap the night before
Snakehead on jumpfrog.!~
The journey continues…
We continue trolling toward the end of the waterway and then the action begins. My trusty crankbait got hit hard by something big. Man Kejor saw the size of the fish and said it was a big one! Me on the other hand was in shocked due to I was half awake when the fish strike. Game on! Hook is set and lines were peeling off from the reel. But luck was not on my side. As I manage to handle the fish right till the side of the boat. It made a last dash towards the heavy cover and manages to escape. Tough luck for a first timer like me, huuhuuhuu…
We continue fishing till dark. Just before we call it a day, Man Kejor back in action. Another Sebbie had taken his crankbait, nothing new for him as he handles the fish as easy as pie. End of day 1.
Last catch for day 1 by Man Kejor
Hyped for the 2nd day, lock and load and ready to go!
We start off the 2nd day with a gloomy weather with a little bit of drizzle. We head back to the first spot we tried yesterday; Air Banun to see if there is any action available. We saw some top water activity there however after numerous tries none seems to be interested take the lure. Huhuhuhu.. Second spot on the second day is Cueh. Murky waters covered with patches of moss and tree branch looks like an interesting place to fish.!~ Again, we saw a lot of top water action and the sight-casting session begins. The whole team continuously casting including the boatmen, everybody is hyped by number for fish gone up to the surface but sadly no bite at all. I’m starting to guess that the fish here it’s just being tricky.
Bad with his 2nd Sebbie for the trip
Kejor with baby snakehead
Coming towards the mid-day, we saw two groups of baby snakeheads coming to the surface, the sight casting continues to provoke the babies just to make them mama mad and start biting. We noticed something different with the group of babies, looks a bit scattered compared to the usual bunch. The babies made another round up to the surface and I cast the lure towards them and Boom! Something took the lure. It lasted for a while and peeled off the line out from the reel and managed to escape into the weed / moss. Still on casting frenzy plus the “wake-up call” earlier, I continue and casting and had the second take. It was a Sebbie, yeay.! Due to the size, the fish was safely revived and released.
Sebbie on Combat Crank
One last ride before heading back to civilization
After that last action, we decide to head back and get ready to travel back to KL. Overall I am amazed by the scenery despite lack of fishing action. I’d really enjoy the trip exploring Temenggor Lake waters and have a lot more to learn based on those two that I hooked on but got away. I kept on reminisce those moment and really looked forward on future trips.
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