Monday, March 29, 2010

Royal Belum - Casting Trip 2010


This time only three of us went for a fishing trip at Tasik Banding and we called this trip as A Crazy Casting Trip. The date was 26 to 28 February 2010. The agreed 'theme' was - Casting and Casting till you don't know where you cast! in a three straight days. It was myself, Lan and Fikry. amongst the three, this is my first experience joining such trip and being reminded not to ask to get ashore! would worry I could not stand the endurance! he he..

Departed from Bangi around 8pm, we reached Gerik Town at around 1 am. There are few budget hotel at RM90.00 so it goes at RM30.00 each. We left all the grubs brought from KL in the car just brought up fishing attire for tomorrow and toothbrush of course!

After performing solat subuh the following day, we headed for breakfast and bought some ice. Journey to Tasik Bandung (Royal Belum's jetty) from Gerik town took about 20-30 minute. Reached Tasik Banding jetty almost 9.45am and Brahim, the local orang asli boatman already waiting for us. The boat engine starts at 10.00 am and with high hopes the boat brought us into the door of experience!

As usual, we have to report to an army camp for verification and soon after clearance sought, we start hunting for spots. The epic start here! The spoons and/or artificial lure were hooked to the breaded line!

The first few spots.. no response but none gave up. As we entered Sungai Kenarong about 3.00pm, situation differs. It looks like we entering Sebarau Playground. At that spot, a huge (almost 4 kilos) Sebarau got caught in Lan's line. We was like almost stunt, the Sebarau was quite huge... it has been quite sometime we do not catch that size.


We have been casting since morning and reaching camping site not far from the first Sebarau was caught. And, we decided to take a break and load all packs on land. Lunch, which was pre packed was taken on boat.

5 star meal treatment in the jungle. That leave is Kedondong shoots, introduced by Brahim the boatman, my 1st time experienced. Nice soury taste. It is a balance diet somehow.

Our tent was set about 4.30 pm. It was quite hot so we decided to get ourselves wet. We prepared dinner early. That afternoon, we prepared our gears for night bottom fishing as well. We caught few smaller Sebarau before dark and start to change to bottom fishing as the suns fall.

We headed back to camp site around 11.30 pm. Myself and Lan continue to bottom fishing just apposite the camp site. The Baung's response was good... and my watch shows almost 2 am. We managed to caught few good size of baungs that night. I wish I can stay till morning because as the bait reached onto bottom of the river, our rod start to shiver! ... but need to spare / charge some 'battery' for tomorrow endurance! One thing for sure, Lan never stop buzzing about his catch till he asleep!

Alarm was set at 6.00 am however I was the only one who awake! hence I continue another 30 minutes dream then after I heard Fikry asking everyone to wake up!!!!

After solat, we straight headed for yesterday marked spot! This time, the luck is with me..it's my turn now. I landed one huge Sebarau as well. Second day we managed to caught few fishes including Toman as well (I caught that too he!he!).

We fish until night as well, however, the catches was not as good as the 1st day. Our conclusion is the water is too clear and an ideal fishing condition is after rain when the water is slightly muddy/cloudly.
Brahim the boatman

The third day water got even clearer so the chances to catch more fish slimmer. Somehow we managed to get few Sebarau and Lan landed a quite a size of toman on the way back to jetty. Fikry landed few sebarau as well.


We departed from tasik Banding jetty at 3.30pm, had dinner at Gerik and reached home around 12.30 am. That trip was really acknowledged as an unforgettable casting trip. I don't mind for repeat. Hope the to get better catches next time!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Sg.Sedim, Tree Top walk

Sometime in February 2010, I accompanied my wife to Kulim kedah for her out campus lecturing. Stayed in Seri Malaysia Kulim, I sent her to UniKL Kulim campus 8.00 am the next morning. Her class ended at 5.30 pm.

While waiting for her, I drove to Sg. Sedim Tree Top Walk, a place of which one of my office mate recommends to go if you reach Kulim. Kulim town is rather small and I have actually browsed almost entire town during the 1st time we went there. Hence the next place I wanted to explore is the the TREE TOP WALK.


So.. I told my son, buckled up, we going to explore the nature.

Journey to Sg. Sedim, Tree Top Walk took about half-an hour from Kulim town.



The following quotes from Sg. Sedim Tree Top Walk web;

Strolling along the world's longest 925m long “Tree Top Walk” which is further into
the park's forest.The canopy walk promises visitors a breathtaking aerial view of the
rapids, some 50m below. During the walk amid the tree tops, lucky visitors may get
to see various species of colourful small birds while enjoying the sounds of gushing
rapids and jungle creatures. Other activities at the park include jungle trekking as there
are a few jungle trails suitable for trekking.These trails lead to nearby peaks such as
Gunung Inas, Gunung Bintang Utara, Gunung Bintang and Banjaran Bintang.


The scene was really admirable. I strongly recommend for those who loves nature to go. You'll not regret. The stream flows underneath is so untouch and yet freezing cold. Don't forget to buy some souvenir from its souvenir shop located at the entrance to the bridge.

You can also book a camping site to experience a camping environment. There is also a chalet for those who are afraid of the creeping creature.



The second day in Kulim, we went again. After I told my wife what we experience that day.