Mukesh Sharma

Kalimpong, 15th May

1^st ever Angling Tournament at Triveni concluded today. The competition was held by Himalayan Angling and conservation organization. The most popular spots for sport fishing are the confluences, where the Teesta meets other rivers. According to anglers, the best spot among the lot is Tribeni, which is the confluence of the Teesta and Rangeet.

Jigme Wangchuk Nadik General Secretary of the organization today informed that Tribeni is considered as a sacred place is a home for many anglers who camp here for Fishing. Here many picnic party comes enjoy cleave the bottles which have left many people injured. We want Tribeni to come back to its glory. Meanwhile in Ankling the main aim is to save Golden Mahseer.

Tista is a home of Golden mahseer which is known as the aquatic tiger of the Asian sub-continent and is a much sought after trophy fish as it is one of the toughest game fish (fish caught for sport) around. A golden mahseer is known to be a strong fish and can it weigh up to 40kg which makes it a difficult catch.It comes  for spawning at Tribeni  and along the stretch (in the Teesta) till Kalijhora and Sevoke that is in GTA area .

Lately the construction of Dam in the stretch has decreased the mahseer species and now is available in very less quantity he informed.

The main theme of the competition have been named as Save Mahseer where as the the Competition was based on Catch and release informed  Nadik who added that till now those who fished in Tista first hook the fish , took out and then have for food. These trends have to be reduced now.

A Total of 25 anglers from different part of Sikkim , Darjeeling, Siliguri,Myanaguri ,Dhupguri  participated in the competition .Gangtok Divya Raj Gurung won the biggest catch award who hooked a 3 Kilo fish.Saurav Limbu from Siliguri won in Bait casting category. Ian Christopher from Gangtok won most catches while Chewang penjo was awarded the quickest catcher . Damber kumar Rai a 60 plus angler was the senior most player while Namgyal Bhutia was the farthest Player from Lachung North Sikkim.

Tista Rafting rescue group who played a key role in transporting the player were felicitated by the organizer today.