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Hook, line and sinker

A chance meeting with a corporate customer inspired tourism officials to bring in the sport of fishing, discovers G. Ravikiran

FOR A CATCH Holding the rod tight and dipping the hook in water is a thrilling experience Photo: Vijaya Bhaskar

All is fish that comes to the net. Though purely by chance, the exploratory sport of fishing with line and hook is no more a fantasy that many thought would never be a reality in the city.

Reducing their role in enticing tourists to the picturesque Bhavani Island Resort, tourism officials have found a delightful way to ensure a constant stream of adventurous souls flocking the landmass.

A senior executive of Satyam Computers had enquired about availability of fishing rods to spend his leisure hours sitting on the island shore and angling for fish in the placid deep blue waters of the Krishna. A few others also evinced interest in the sport but the tourism department could do little as it could not procure the latest fishing tool for them.

The issue was given a serious thought only when district Collector Navin Mittal took time off from his busy schedule to visit the island resort and tried his hand at fishing.

As there was no modern equipment, the tourism officials brought a conventional fishing line and hook.

Though he narrowly missed a catch weighing 1.5 kg, the joy of experiencing the thrill was evident when Mittal yelled in delight. The magic of fishing withstood the test of time with its power of offering a peep into life under water.

Exploring ideas

The tourism officials could not afford to ignore for long the fascination the thrilling sport evoked and began toying with the idea of exploring all possibilities of making the sport available with formally trained staff guiding the visitors. They even procured a latest fishing tool equipped with a spindle and a lengthy line, enough to explore 60 to 70 metres under water.

People with different hobbies and interests began to flock the island resort, which is also an attractive venue for corporate conferences and dealers' meets of various companies. People from far and wide and with different background, throng the place to unwind in the lap of Mother Nature.

Keeping their aspirations in mind, the tourism officials propose to procure at least 10 latest fishing rods to provide their valuable customers a chance to discover the joy of fishing.

Element of excitement

S. Suryaprakasa Rao, divisional manager, AP Tourism Development Corporation, says that the sylvan surroundings of the island and the aquatic life in the area make it an ideal place for promoting the sport of angling. Angling is being promoted almost vigorously at many national and international resorts considering the element of excitement involved in the sport.

As pastime and a stress-buster, angling is expected to find good patronage among techno-savvy professionals and those looking for new ways of adventure.

In pools and ponds, lakes and rivers, fishermen use traditional fishing rods made of sticks and line to catch fish as a means of living.

The fishing line is fitted with a small piece of white thermacol, which serves as an indicator when a fish swallows the bait. Though the sport is yet to catch on and reach a feverish pitch, the adventurous minds of the younger lot who are obsessed with discover new finds to entertain and enjoy do not seem to be in a mood to wait until the sport is promoted in a formal way.

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