December 2016 - Chalong Fishing Park

We Are Now Fishing at Chalong Fishing Park

25, Dec 2016

Sunrise at Chalong Fishing Park

We Are Now Fishing at Chalong Fishing Park

We Are Now Fishing at Chalong Fishing Park – Chalong Fishing Park has now been open for five weeks and there has been a steady flow of fish being caught, by a steady flow of visitors. Although we have had some problems retaining water the fish showing have certainly grown since being placed in the lake a couple of months ago, proving the waters are healthy. Over a period of time we can look forward to some substantial growth and BIG fish.

The Fish

We Are Now Fishing at Chalong Fishing Park - Brothers Tim & John bring two Mekong Catfish within seconds of each other With quite a few fish over 20kg and many between 15 & 20kgs there have been some good fights for those fishing. One afternoon we had brothers John and Tim McGarvey and although they had a bit of a slow start things did pick up nicely. They got into the fish and even managed a double hooker with a couple of nice hard fighting Giant Mekong Catfish gracing the nets within seconds of each other.

New Family Arrivals

Since just before we opened our Chalong Fishing Park family has grown. Firstly a couple of Muscovy ducks arrived and adopted us. There is a picture in the gallery of them making themselves at home. Then one day we had an unexpected guest in the bar when a frog literally inserted himself into the bamboo bar. Again see the picture below. Lastly we have secured a couple of pooches to look after our guests, Dum & Towe. Both dogs have an easy nature and enjoy being petted.

Our Fishermen

At Chalong Fishing Park are pleased to say we have had a multitude of International visitors since we opened. We’ve also had the pleasure of welcoming children and ladies fishing. The pictures below are only representative of all those taken since we opened. More, including some video clips, can be found on our Facebook Page, please have a look, like the page and follow our day to day postings there.

What’s here

Please also come down and pay us a visit. The swimming pool is a popular attraction, especially with the children. The Lakeside Restaurant and Bar are increasingly popular, not just with those fishing but others who just want a drink and something to eat. The Menu is shown on our website, have a look we have tried to make our prices competitive.

Click on a picture to open the full-size gallery

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Brothers Tim & John bring two Mekong Catfish within seconds of each other

Nice Mekong Catfish for a Scottish visitor at Chalong Fishing Park

Chalong Fishing Park Kid friendly and a nice Carp

Unusual Visitors a frog in the bar - literally

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Another one of the ladies fishing at Chalong Fishing Park

Mark from Islander one of Chalong Fishing Parks first Season Ticket holders

Now fishing at Chalong Fishing Park which is kid friendly

Kids on the Act with a Amazon Redtail Catfish

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The Muscovy ducks that appear to have adopted us at Chalong Fishing Park

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Fish going into Chalong Fishing Park

18, Dec 2016

Fish going into Chalong Fishing Park

What would a fishing lake be without fish? More to the point what would a fishing park be without the fish that visitors want to catch? Only one thing for it, we had to have fish going into Chalong Fishing Park.

Well putting fish into a lake is going to be easy you would think. The problem is we needed to have fish that were of a catchable size – not just a catchable size but of a size that makes the catch interesting with a fight. It was research time. From experience of fishing the big fishing lakes around Thailand I knew the breed of fish I would need but finding them at the size needed for my lake was another issue.

Among the fish I needed were Amazon Red Tailed Catfish, Asian Red Tailed Catfish, Giant Mekong Catfish, Siamese Carp, Chao Phraya Catfish, Stripped Catfish, Pacu, Koi and Ghost Carp, African Walking Catfish. I commenced a search (via the Internet and previously accrued contacts) of Thailand from the Malaysian boarder up to Bangkok and west to the Myanmar boarder looking for the quality and size of fish I needed to make the lake a viable venture. The fish were sourced from just outside of Bangkok and shipped down over a couple of nights, in convoys of trucks. Their introduction to the lake was fairly successful, albeit there were a few losses. Fortunately the suppliers had guaranteed those so more fish were sent to replace them.

As the lake matures and the waters settle we plan to introduce more fish. The ones we have a ready to bite as you will see in the next blog. They are also growing at good rate as far larger fish are being caught than have been put into the water. All in all a good sign for future successful fishing.

Fish going into Chalong Fishing Park

Click on a picture to open the full-size gallery

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The Build Chalong Fishing Park

18, Dec 2016

The Build – Chalong Fishing Park

After considering a permanent move to Phuket for a number of years and wondering what I could do to support myself after the move, in 2015 I finally made the decision to make that move. From there a plan came together and I moved to Phuket just under a year ago with the intent to run a fishing lake. Slowly that plan was put together and after taking a couple of U turns away from existing fisheries my partner, Jen, and I decided we would undertake the building of a lake from scratch.

We immediately began to look for a piece of land that would fit the needs of our project. We found a great site which fitted our needs perfectly in Soi Suksan 1, the link road between Viset Road and Patak Road. An approach was made to the owner and we acquired 4 Rai (1.58 acres) of land right on the bend by Tamarind Villas and the dream stepped towards a reality.

From the moment we signed contracts securing the land the rollercoaster ride began. Those of you that know Thailand will understand that statement. We started by securing a number of quotes for the construction of the Lake and the supporting buildings which would include a restaurant, staff quarters and a bungalow for Jen and me. The decision was made to use one particular company, they were instructed and work commenced fairly quickly.

The build had its ups and downs but again it took us towards the conclusion of the dream. The below photos tell the story of the way the build happened. As with any project like this, the finishing will be ongoing. There will be natural maturing of the site and I’m sure additions and expansions, as well as putting things straight. It will all take time but the basis is there for that growth to be built upon.