Dream Lake Fishing Resort

Dream Lake Fishing Resort in Chiang mai Thailand continues to push the boundaries of fishing. This medium sized lake just out of the centre of Chiang Mai has basically got the perfect name, for it is a "Dream Lake".
With over 25 species of fish in its depths it made for a very exciting few days bait and lure fishing.

A few days staying at Dream lake fishing resort, is truly an experience for a dedicated angler. There is somthing for everyone here, novices, experts, lure fishermen, fly anglers, carp heads, catfish lovers and predator hunters.

If you are a thinking angler who likes the more pro-active approach on your fishing holiday then a stop off at Dream lake fishing resort in Chiang Mai should be top of your schedule.

A really nice catch of a Striped Snakehead ( Bra chon) on the morning session. This fish was not visible until the very last second, then there was an explosion in the water. The lightning speed of this fish on its strike was really somthing to be witnessed. The clarity in the water made this an amazing moment, I just wish I had my video camera rolling.

Because lure fishing is allowed at Dreamlake resort it gave me the chance to be one of the first anglers to test a new Lure called the Mango Jack, hand made in Chiang mai Thailand by Mangofishing Ltd This crankbait lure has a great action and can be retrived slow or fast at what ever is the required depth. Fishing around the margins of Dreamlake produced a nice 1.5KG Striped Snakehead and a juvenile Peacock bass in the space of 30 minutes.

If you wish to fish alone using your own tackle, baits and ideas then you will be 100% happy here, the quiet relaxed atmosphere is only broken when your reel starts screeming and waters churning from the fighting fish. You are open to use any tactics you wish, you can fish with floats, ledgers/sinkers, lures and also flies.

Peter Longstraat , is just such a thinking angler, this guy lives and breathes fishing. While I was staying there I was very pleased to have the company of such a guy with non stop ideas for trying different baits and tactics to catch his chosen quarry for the day. This particular day he wanted an Alligator gar and was rewarded after a couple of hours sitting on his balcony with this nice specimen

If you are less experienced or just want to join in with the great friendly atmosphere then you will also be at home, there are always local Thai anglers around who are quite happy to share their knowledge, tackle, baits, beer ( if you're very lucky) and banter with visiting foreigners.

A local Thai angler named Jil showing off his Giant Siamese carp that he caught on fairly light tackle using bread balls as bait. This was somthing to see and was my first encounter with this beautifull fish species. At about 17KG this is by no means a monster, For these guys its not about the size or weight but just fun. Jil was there fishing with his 72 year old father as he does almost everyday, he said it keeps him young at heart.

All around, the atmosphere is pure fishing, but if you do wish to forget about the aquatic surroundings for a while your Bungalow comes equiped with a DVD/VCD/Mp3 player and there is a wide range of movies to choose from at the clubhouse.

Night fishing can be the most exillerating fishing because the darkness limits your visibility and makes the fight a little more exiting. This late night catch of a 10KG Tiger catfish was unforgetable. As the reel screamed off and I struck the locals were all shouting Arapaima, This fish would not move from the bottom of the lake, and after about 10 minutes would not budge. After a while she came to the surface and although my target was the Arapaima I was not in the least bit disapointed to be holding this beautifull catfish species.

I especially enjoyed sitting on my balcony into the early hours of the morning listening to some music and relaxing in the cool night air with an iced beer waiting for that line to be striped from my reel.

A small Peacock bass caught early morning (well early for me) on a brand new Crank bait lure called the Mango Jack, made by Mango fishing Ltd of Chiang Mai aThailand.

The lake is about 200meters square and ranges upto 7 meters deep in the middle. You can cast from all the way around the perimitter, including your own Bungalows fishing platform 24 hours a day.

For the early birds then the morning session will be the best and for those who prefer to fish on into the night there are also great possibilities as the big predators start their hunting activitys.

I fit into the latter category (The night owls) and had my best catches late at night. I found myself fishing next to some local men who were obviously very experienced at all types of fishing. These guys helped me net my best catch of a 25KG Arapaima gigas and also showed me some great new rigs to test when I got back home.

The Arapaima was the target for the night. Using dead bait on a single hook with an open reel was perfect. This beauty took the bait at around 12 Midnight. This fish was very strong but unlike the Tiger Catfish of the previous evening was much quicker to rise to the surface and show itself. It was not however easy to tame this monser as it went on continuous runs heading for the deep rock snags at the edges of the lake.

I can't wait for my next trip up to Chiang Mai for some more great fishing fun in Thailand at Dream Lake fishing resort.

For more info about Dream lake or any other fishing in Thailand goto www.megafishingthailand.com or email nathan@megafishingthailand.com

Always Tight lines!

Nathan