There was a time when the image associated with fishing was that of pot-bellied old men sitting by the river with their feet and fishing rod in the water. Well, not any more, Angling as a hobby is fast catching up in the city with young and old equal mix of people taking keen interest in it. Some spend hours waiting for the fish to bite.
Established in 1947, Jamshedpur Angling Club, the apex body of the anglers is promoting the hobby by providing its members to get 'hooked' at Jubilee Park Lake, Beldih Lake and Bara Flats near Sidhgora. The club has more than 300 members at present.
"The popularity of Angling has grown over the years. We have members who are not only small time businessmen but also doctors, engineers and administrative officers. This makes the sport even more interesting. The key to angling successfully lies in knowing fish behaviour, the nature of the water (varying temperatures of water get different kinds of fish) for instance are crucial to getting a catch," said N Warsi, a member of the club. The member informed that even some police officers of the city have been actively pursuing fishing as their hobby.
The Jamshedpur Angling Club also organises their annual contest on July 29 at Jubilee Lake. The fish lovers from Odisha and West Bengal also participate in it. This annual event is patronized by anglers from all over the country to mark the birth anniversary of J.R.D. Tata.
The Jubilee Park Lake better known as Jayanti Sarovar currently boasts an impressive stock of catla, rohu, mrigal among others.
"We also release fingerlings in the lakes during the month of July and August. This way fish of different classes are found in abundance in city lakes," added another official.
The popularity of the event can be gauged from the fact that the Japanese company Shimano, known for making fishing rods, reels, and hook has sponsored the event.
"We have seen our members catching 15 to 20 Kgs Catla fish at Jubilee Lake. The high of angling lies not in catching fish, because there are some which get away, but rather fighting against the fish, irrespective of the outcome. It is more about patience and optimism not so much about philosophy. Angling is not only about the catch but also about the fun in the whole process," noted another senior member of the club.