Mahseer: Alaknanda River Rafting

Alaknanda is of special interest to the daring tourists who visit the famous pilgrimages in Uttaranchal. This river actually starts at the confluence of the Satopanth and Bhagirath Kharak glaciers in Uttarakhand. It also has the major contribution in the flow of the Ganges River, more than River Bhagirathi, which is regarded by the Hindus as the origin of the Ganges.

Alaknanda River lies within the two famous mountain ranges of Nar and Narayan with the Neelkanth peak. There is the famous pilgrimage Badrinath Temple and the natural spring Tapt Kund. This beauteous view is a breathtaking and an enchantment for tourists. It is also known as the `Garhwal queen`. Many adventurous activated including rafting and kayaking are enjoyable.

Alaknanda is famous for river rafting. An adventurous trip starts from the Ganges River near Rishikesh, and launches on Chamoli River to end at Rudraprayag. Camp Silver Sands, which is located on a large sandy beach on the banks of the Ganga river, briefing on camp, its activities and the trip to experience. Thereafter, drive down the valley to arrive at Camp Silver Sands for camping.

The journey of 128kms to Rishikesh, will take you through thick forests and deep gorges. Your each day ends at a different river beach to make camp for the night, enhancing the adventure of being on the river. Foaming rapids, sandy beaches and starry nights make your trip a truly outdoor journey, even for the first time rafter!

Lower expedition is an expedition for children, and family groups apart from people who want an expedition which gives them a beautiful outdoor experience and ample time to enjoy that experience.
River rafting expedition begins with a big Grade IV rapid, "The Holy Hole", at the confluence with the Mandakini. Rapids keep coming in quick succession Spend long day on the river, covering about 36 river kms till Maletha beach.

Raft down to Devprayag the confluence of the Alaknanda & Bhagirathi Rivers. Camp at Beas Ghat, a famous fishing spot for the Mahseer also called the Ganga Gold.

Make 30 kms to reach camp below Kaudiyala, after running a couple of Grade IV rapids, "Daniel's Dip" and "The Wall". Final day runs with big rapids, the "Roller Coaster" and "Golf Course" to make it an exciting end to a grand adventure!

River Fishing Tips

If you want to know how to fish a river these river tips should be added to your fishing arsenal sooner, rather than later.

1. Tread Lightly - In most instances (at least for me and my mentor before me) river fishing involves wading. This means that you want to tread lightly and make as little noise as you can. Avoid stepping on and breaking sticks, and rocks' banging together is a bad thing. Remember sounds travels great distances underwater and fish will become "spooked" if they are hearing sounds that are out of the ordinary. Tread lightly and watch your step so as not to make too many unnecessary sounds.
2. Be On The River At The Best Times - You need to be on the river fishing when the fish are the most active. This is accomplished by keeping an eye on two things; the weather and the moon. These two forces of Mother Nature impact the behavior of fish greatly and the more you understand and use this information to your advantage the better off you will be. When it comes to river fishing tips this one is one of the best. Being on the river at the best times is of the utmost importance.
3. Have A "Got To" Technique - You're go to technique could be spinners or jigs. You're go to technique could be to use live minnows or to use artificial flies. Whatever you're go to technique is, you need to have your favorite that you practice and become adept at. My mentor taught me my "go to" technique (which I still use twenty plus years later). It's the gang hook technique which utilizes gang hooks and live worms. My point is that if you want to know how to fish a river, decide on a favorite technique and then spend as much time as possible using it to learn all the nuances.

These river fishing tips will serve you well in your search to learn how to fish a river. River fishing is one of the most relaxing and enjoyable ways to catch fish and the more you do it, the more you will fall in love with it.