The Fisherman's Friend

August 27, 2011

I am not the fisherman but the fisherman's friend and I am not some kind of lozenges. I just pay for some gears, baits, play chauffeur and when it becomes irresistible, join in the fun! I am re-learning some old skills from scratch and part of the fun is discovering places.

Lorong Halus

Lorong Halus is a road leading off the Tampines Expressway locatead at North-Eastern part of Punggol Promenade at Punggol East where a River Walk has been created with modern facilities of restaurants, a billiard saloon, fishing pond and soon a golf driving range. There used to be a charcoal port there at Lorong Halus in the early days and it was famous for hauling in KBL (Kim Bak Lor) or Barramundi as old fishermen knew. I drove all the way in and we still have to walk a long way to get there.....

Ah.....open sea.....at last.

We spotted several lone anglers. A few came on bicycles.

Be careful around this dam here as the water pressure can be dangerous if they open the gates. If your line gets entangled, just cut it off or snap it, do not go into the waters.

While you fish there are others at work - like towing a barge so count your blessings always!

I don't know what you call this fish but it croaks like a frog, is slimy with an odour and has thorns that can prick you if you are not careful.

Let's just call it the "terrible fish". There are so many of this at Punggol end too.

The current was pretty strong.

Even a huge monitor lizard was washed up dead. Look carefully.

The weather was not kind. There was heavy rain and lightning in the distance. I counted 1,000, 2,000, 3,000 to 8,000 after which I saw lightning then the sound of thunder. It means lightning was 8km away and approaching. It would be dangerous in a few minutes. The rain came so we packed up and go. You can see the rain coming from the other side.

Keep Singapore Clean! I grew up with this slogan. Does it still work?

Reeling in and packing up.

As we walked out, you could see steam rising rapidly from the ground as the rain came down. Next stop? Take a break and then to Pierce Reservoir. Salt water to fresh water.

Pierce Reservoir

It was a long drive in with curvy roads, up and down. We saw a wild boar dashed across the road some 30m in front and it quickly disappeared into the forest.

Singapore is probably the only place in the world where you see "No Soccer!" signs hung up even as we try to qualify for the World Cup. We do the same for fishing. In fact, at places like reservoir, it is "No Fishing!" unless it is a designated reservoir allowed for fishing and even then there will only be a spot for fishing at a reservoir - like a short stretch of space. Local anglers are a depressed and deprived lot. Casting nets to haul in catch is an absolute "No!" In fact even with your rod and line one should catch and release.

All serene and calm.

You get good exercise just walking around or going down.....

then climbing up.....

You are not allowed to use live baits or any baits at reservoir, only lures please.

Lure or fly fishing lets you practise casting. It can be tiring if you haven't done it in years.

I got a young Toman or Snake head. It was the first fish in so many years. Learn to release your catch especially at reservoirs and remember to always release the smaller fish.