Day 111

Well we really couldn't tolerate a night like that again so I got up at 10am and found us a better room. I didn't have to look far, away from where all the bungalows were was a concrete building with nice rooms being cleaned out. It was more expensive but the double glazing meant it had to be quieter! It was much more comfortable and even had a TV!

1 Big lake far, small lake near

On a previous visit to Ko Samui Jim had been to a man-made fishing lake called Top Cats. He promised 30lb bloaters of all variety in a serene environment with waiter service too. I have never fished before but fancied giving it a go so we all headed over there. It was a good hour drive again reminding me how big Ko Samui is. When we arrived I knew it was going to be a fun day. The place is really well managed with two lakes - one with big fish and one with littler ones (less than 5lb). The lakes weren't as big as I had imagined and I got the feeling it would be a bit of a "turkey shoot" with us pulling fish out the water every five minutes. We ate a very fine lunch - mine was cottage pie and after yesterday's single meal that didn't stay down I was ravenous. Then we got down to the business of fishing. I'd already seen one 35lb fish being hauled in by a paying customer and it was massive. I didn't really fancy tackling that so when Jim suggested we fish the big lake I cautiously agreed. We had a guide who basically did all the hard work for us (like a caddy to a golfer), he would set up the rods and pack the substantial bait around the hook. Our rods were then left with us connected to motion sensors so all we had to do was wait for the beeps and spring into action. We had two rods with three fishermen (me Jim and Neil) and in the first hour or two I was happy to let them grab the rods when the beeps went off. The trouble was the beeps weren't going off. Time and again the guide added fresh bait but there were no takers. I was getting frustrated too and I resolved that I would go for the rods too if I heard a beep and reacted first. We'd been there a few hours (and it was fun just sitting there and chatting) before the first beep. Usually you get a series of beeps as the fish chows down on bait and hook but we got just a single beep. False alarm! that got everybody excited. All around the lake everyone else was having the same quiet time with no action since that 35lb Siamese Carp we saw earlier. At around 9pm Neil and I went indoors and played some pool in resignation. After just a few frames I could here Karen shouting from the darkness "Rob, Neil, come quickly he's got one". We ran out and two of the guides had taken over and Jim was stood there hand over mouth as he explained what had happened. Apparently one of the rods had done the multiple beep thing and he'd grabbed it and yanked the rod skyward in order to "hook" the fish. That action was one we'd discussed all day and its importance in getting the fish attached properly. Jim, however, had sent himself flying backwards and tripped in the darkness. The line had come off the rod and as Jim got up he had been able to grab the line only. So, there was fish on hook and Jim had a hold of the line while the rod was on the floor! The guides had come to help and took over. Meanwhile the second rod went off as well but Jim wasn't able to grab it in time so that one got away as well! No fish were caught that day by us but it was a good day all the same. I can't say I'll be seeking out fishing opportunities soon but I would have loved to have a catch that day.

2 Neil and Jim at work

3 A familiar sight - two stationary rods

4 Getting darker!

5 View back to the club house and nice sunset