The angler's delight near Bangalore

I have often heard people complaining that there is not much to see in and around Bangalore. They forget that Bangalore itself is a hill station with a salubrious climate. The summers here are much cooler than many parts of India.

The rainy season is a pleasure but not if you are on the road. The other months-October to May-is a pleasure. Bangalore offers you a host of activities.

If you are interested in fishing, water sports and of course wildlife nothing like Bheemeshwari, which is just two hours away from Bangalore. This is also the nearest forest cover from Bangalore.

The Bheemeshwari is on the banks of  Cauvery which meanders through undulating hills and thick woods which are host to a number of wildlife.

Bheemeshwari is easily approachable from Kanakapura which is 56 kms from Bangalore. The river here is an adventurer’s delight. Soak in the pristine Nature at its best here.

Remember that the Masher fishing in these waters is world famous and Angler Magazine has featured it among the nest of its kind.

Check out the Bheemeshwari Fishing and Nature Camp which offers a host of activities, including a day’s trip.

The forests around Bheemeshwari are host to more than 200 species of birds, like Grey headed fish eagle, Pied crested cuckoo, darter. Get into the forests of the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary and you will be sure to spot sambar, spotted deer, jackals, grizzled giant squirrel, leopard.Marsh crocodiles, wild pig, fresh water turtles and even elephants.

However, for years, the mighty Mahseer has been a major draw for visitors here. You can only angle the Masheer, weigh it and then let it back into the river. This is an angler’s oath. Fishing techniques that are popular here are  Bait fishing, Fly fishing and Spinning. For anglers, the fishing season is from November to  February.

If you are not comfortable angling, go in a coracle and lazy in it as the forests pass by. Go river rafting which is available from mid-June to mid- September.

The fishing hours at the Bheemeshwari camp commences at 6:30 a.m., and lasts till 10:30 a.m., and again from 4 p.m., to 7 p.m. 

The camp also gives you a chance to trek around the Basavana Betta. The six-hour trek will give you a panoramic view of the Cauvery flowing through the valley below. Treks of a shorter duration are undertaken in the early mornings. The Shiva temple nearby the camp is worth a look and it is worshipped by locals.

If you want to see the river in spate, go during June to August.

 Day visit costs upwards of Rs. 1,500. The camp is operated by Jungle Lodges and Resorts which has an office in Shrungar Complex on MG Road or at Khanija Bhavan on Race Course Road. You can access their website for more information or telephone 91-80-4055405591: 80- 25597944 / 25584111 / 25559261 for more information.

The road upto Kanakapura is good and from there to the camp is just okay. You can either hire a private four-wheeler or if you like biking, arrange for a ride. Let me tell you once you cross Bangalore, the ride is worth a tale.