Arapaima action at Jurassic

Welcome

Another month has gone by and it has been hectic, to say the least hence you are probably reading this later than planned as improvements continue to be made and anglers reap the rewards on the lake. In February we installed a full sprinkler system, the vegetation surrounding the swims have been cut, CCTV has been installed to capture every moment of the action and all the salas have been renovated ready for the rainy season. We are determined to make Jurassic the greatest angling holiday experience in Thailand and the best is yet to come, so be sure to keep an eye out over the coming months to gain an insight into what to expect upon your arrival.

Travel update and rescheduled bookings

Thailand has recently announced that they are aiming to fully open the borders to tourism by October 2021 and this is what they propose From the 1^st of April 2021 the quarantine period of 14 days will be reduced to 10 days for unvaccinated tourists and reduced to 7 days for tourists who have vaccination certificates. It is reported that from April 1st, the fit to fly certificates are also no longer required. Between April 1st and September 30, quarantine facilities will remain operative under the new guidelines. By October, officials are aiming to open the borders to tourists without the requirement of quarantine ahead of the high season, but this will be subject to cases reported during the transition. (Source: Bangkok Post). We would strongly advise that customers who have already booked a trip to Jurassic but have unfortunately had to cancel, please contact us as soon as possible to reschedule your trip. Rescheduling existing bookings is our main priority but we require you to provide dates in order to do so. Therefore get in contact as soon as possible as dates are filling up fast for 2022.

A personal best just before dusk

Dennis was also up and about bright and breezy getting ready for the day ahead as he sat down on the veranda with a coffee and pondered his approach. The Bay was his swim of choice based on the long lengths of margins either side providing prime habitat for the predators. It was action from the off as the Amazon redtails moved in on the spots and the slow steady takes kept on coming. As midday approached, Dennis already had several fish on the board, but the next take was certainly one to remember. The alarm descended into meltdown. A spool spinning absolute screamer and he was quick to lift into it, but there were no signs of it slowing down. The fish was soon out in open water and Dennis held on as there was little, he could do. The rod tip bounced violently with each head shake which left the fishery team in no doubt as to what it was. By carefully observing the line angle, the gillies were able to instruct him when to bow the rod when the arapaima surfaced to take a breath. This is by far the most important point to take on board when playing this species. Despite being a dangerous species when handled, they are also very delicate. If the arapaima is rising up in the water, then the pressure being applied should be going down and the fishery team are always on hand for every arapaima encounter. Following a few breaths and clear instruction, Dennis was soon in the swing of things, but this was one angry arapaima, and the enduring encounter was taking its toll on him. The thought of a trophy photo can bring a smile to your face but after half an hour it can feel like a world away given the effort required at times. Sweat was dripping and the clutch was ticking but Dennis dug deep, and words of encouragement were welcome. Just after the 40-minute mark, the cage was raised, and Dennis dropped to his knees. Relief and joy all rolled into one at the end of a truly epic arapaima encounter being his largest to date.

Great to be back

It was a welcome surprise to see Chris walk through the gates at the end of the month after enduring two weeks of quarantine in Bangkok. He is an avid angling enthusiast who has fished all over Thailand and totaled more than 80 days at Jurassic. He loves nothing more than setting the traps and soaking up the sun sat by the rods in search of something special. His first arapaima was landed in Mountain View shortly after 7am where he worked the margins and made the most of the shaded areas to locate the predatory species. He has full confidence in the Tuna Extract Glug for all his fishing and takes the time to mash mackerel into fine pieces along with chopped chicken carcass, before soaking in said glug. A stench that is simply too hard to resist for arapaima patrolling the marginal vegetation.

Peter remains patient

A group booking had been organized weeks in advance with the draw to take place just shy of 7am with Peter being one of 11 anglers. Everyone gathered around the veranda with a coffee raring to go but there was still no sign of him. With just seconds to spare he appeared looking quite sorry for himself and drew a ball from the bag. Nearly an hour later and he was still sat on the veranda by the lake in an attempt to blow out the cobwebs from the night before. The second cappuccino finally masked the aftertaste of Leo from late and he set about organizing his tackle and selecting his bait from the tackle shop. He felt as though he may have missed the bus in terms of the early morning arapaima action but a quiet day of dosing in and out of sleep didn’t sound too bad either. A few hours went by without as much as a bleep and it was time to have a quiet word with himself and rise from the ashes before heading for dinner. A fresh bag of mackerel was delivered to the swim and he positioned two baits with precision, just clipping the water hyacinth bed upon entry. No sooner had he sat down, the bobbin shot up and smashed into the blank as the water erupted and the alarm screamed. One short strike set the hook and he had a chance to make amends for the morning he had missed. The midday sun was at its peak and the sweat was pouring off him, so he was more than happy to jump in for the photo and cool down before lunch.

Explore the local culture

Wat Huay Mongkol

The Wat Huay Mongkol temple complex is located 15 kilometres west of Hua Hin and is famous for its enormous statue named Luang Phor Thuad, one of Thailand famous monks. The statue stands 12m tall and 10m wide and is visible from miles around towering over the trees.
The site is popular with Thai people who travel from around the country to pay their respects in return for good luck, health, fortune and happiness. Other religious landmarks of the site include a Buddhist temple, a statue of King Taksin the Great on horseback and two large wood-carved elephants.
The complex is set in a park environment and offers peace and tranquillity surrounded by Thai culture. There is a lake interconnected by bridges where you can feed the local species of fish or sit and relax by the waterfalls in the shade. There are also various food stands and shops with site-related merchandise.If you are interested in visiting different landmarks in and around the area, we are more than happy to advise and accommodate your needs to arrange trips suitable for families and all ages.

Gardens and Irrigation

For years, we discussed the benefits of irrigating tropical gardens, and finally, this has come to fruition. There were trials and tribulations right back at the beginning shortly after digging Jurassic when it was a struggle to establish the vegetation, and sadly several trees suffered and were subsequently removed. Fast forward nearly 9 years and how the tables have turned as the gardeners have a full-time job keeping up with the place. Their efforts have literally shaped what you see when you step foot through the gates, so it was time to give them a helping hand and install an automatic underground Rainbird pop-up sprinkler system to relinquish the laborious watering. I must admit there were a few teething problems when we underestimated their power during testing. One unfortunate angler had left some clothes out to dry overnight with not a cloud in the sky, so the last thing he expected was waking up to the patter of rain down the window at 3 am! A few more hours spent adjusting them, and we were good to go. They cover all garden areas and only operate at night, meaning that the paths are dry by first light, ready for when you awaken.

Improved views from the swims

Whilst all swims offer an equal opportunity in terms of angling, certain swims provide better views of the lake. Naturally, the view given the position of some salas will be hard to match such as Mountain View and The Point which sit on knuckles of the lake and provide a panoramic view. We decided to shape the vegetation adjacent to every swim meaning that you can sit back in the Sala during warm weather and keep in contact with the lake whilst looking for signs of showing fish. This will be maintained by the gardening team monthly to improve your angling experience. For those of you that prefer to soak up the sun or sit by the rods, reclining chairs are available to hire from reception.

Never miss a moment of the action

We have all heard of ‘the one that got away and ‘you would never believe what just happened moments in the angling community. Well, following the installation of the high-speed internet has come a full HD CCTV network which not only supplements our existing security but also covers the action in every swim. The cameras are positioned to cover the front of the fishing areas only and record all the action from start to finish, meaning that you will never miss a moment. So far, we have captured some quality video of carp species tail-walking at dawn and tarpon hunting prey along the edges, not to mention weird and wonderful wildlife in the dark. On several occasions already, the cameras have been utilized to salvage photos and video for customers after camera equipment let them down at the all-important moment and your full trip can be downloaded to a USB drive for you before you leave allowing you to relive the unforgettable moments with your friends and family when you get home.

Sala restoration

The traditional Thai salas are in all the 11 swims and for those of you who graced us with your presence back at the beginning, you may even recall the bamboo salas from the start. The current wooden Salas have been in place for many years so it was about time that they received a renovation too. The old wooden roofs were stripped off and additional timbers and cross beams were added for further support. Orange tiles were selected to match other buildings on the resort and one by one, they were transformed. All the salas now offer complete protection from the sun and rain showers, increasing comfort and meaning that you can maximize your angling time during the rainy season.

A storm rolls by

What started as a sunny morning soon morphed into heavy showers in the afternoon. The distant rumble creeped closer, and an eerie silence suddenly descended across the lake. A brief rain shower ensued before the final drops fell and the birds went back about their business. The low-lying cloud started to clear, and the mountains emerged once more.

Testimonial

Craig joined us at Jurassic for 6 days here is what he had to say about his trip on Trip Advisor.

“Had a fantastic time. Landed 41 fish ranging from 25lb right up to 65lb. Indian carp, red tail catfish, and Siamese carp have all been ticked off my list. Although I didn’t catch a monster in the lake, I did witness Scarface landed at 185lb and 3 arapaima up to 150lb. The gillies are amazing. Their knowledge of the lake is impeccable and they are always on hand when needed. You can fish from 7am-6pm. You have to pick a ball out of a hat each night to decide which fishing peg you are on the following day.”

Monthly Wildlife Watch

Acheta domesticus, commonly called the house cricket, is a cricket most likely native to Southwestern Asia. They are typically brownish in color and reach 2cm in length. The house cricket is an edible insect. It is farmed in South-East Asia and parts of Europe and North America for human consumption. In Asia it is said to become more popular than many native cricket species due to what consumers claimed was their superior taste and texture. They can be commonly found for sale on the markets around Thailand and are certainly worth trying when you visit.

Hierodula patellifera is the Latin name for the giant Asian mantis that can reach up to 75mm in length and vary between green and brown in appearance. The difference in color is mainly due to the environment in which the animal is kept. They can develop a different color in a matter of days, but it is not yet understood which conditions will trigger a change in color. When they reach adulthood, they can easily eat adult crickets, adult locusts and big cockroaches and they will hunt for their food and are not easily intimidated by their prey which can reach up to half their size

Parapachymorpha zompro known as the Zompro’s stick insect has your typical stick insect body, long and slender with long legs. The skin has a bark-like texture which gets more and more pronounces as the insect becomes older and bigger. The color ranges from light brown to dark brown. The males of 7cm whilst the females can reach up to 9cm. Their diet consists of a variety of different leaves and they can be handled easily, making them a common pet to keep.

Until next month – tight lines!

Jurassic Mountain Resort & Fishing Park
43/6 Moo Baan Kokesehti Tambon Na Yang, Na Yang, Cha-am District 
Phetchaburi 76120
Thailand
For all enquiries/bookings contact:  enquiries@wordpress-1242400-4445492.cloudwaysapps.com
If you have not already liked us on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/JurassicMountainResortFishingPark

The giant Mekong catfish is an iconic fish species of Thailand that has one of the fastest growth rates of any fish in the world. They can be distinguished from other catfish species due to their lack of barbules and teeth, unlike predatory catfish. Despite being native to the Mekong river basin in South East Asia, they are classified as being critically endangered in the wild. This is mainly due to disruption to their migration routes mainly as a result of dam building meaning they are unable to follow their usual migratory journey to spawn. They are however mass farmed for food in SE Asia and very common in sport fisheries throughout Thailand. They are often stocked in high densities which can negatively impact upon their growth potential. Being herbivorous filter feeders, they typically feed upon terrestrial plants, benthic filamentous algae, weeds, and insects. In fisheries, they will take to feeding on rice bran and bread but this diet again is not conclusive of good growth rates. For farming, they are often reared in Green water fed with nutrients from the waste of chicken farming, which promotes dense algae blooms in the water column. Understanding their dietary requirements was key to managing the longevity of the species when they were introduced into Jurassic in 2012 with the biggest being 82kg.

We purposely chose to stock just a few individuals into the lake at the beginning, with the aim to allow them to progress naturally keeping the competition for their preferred food source low, and although this makes them much harder to catch, the results speak for themselves, with the fish doubling in size from an already large 82kg to a 160kg plus in around 9 years. They are one of the eight species present in excess of one hundred pounds in weight, in the fishery.

Avoiding anglers for nearly 9 years

Well-known Thai angler Krit joined a group of twelve anglers from the UK at the start of the month headed by John Harvey. He had his sights upon landing a very big Siamese carp and felt Jurassic offered him the best prospect of a 75kg plus specimen, and that’s having extensive knowledge of many other venues in Thailand, and fished most of them. The daily draw for swim selection fell in his favor and he opted to fish his full three-day trip from The Bruce. His angling approach consisted of using the method feeder with copious amounts of rice bran meal with a bait additive of his own design to build a spot out in open water. Having baited heavily for the duration, Krit had seen countless carp, but the biggest was only 40kgs. During his third and final day in the morning, the alarm went into meltdown as the rod ripped off once more. He set the hook and despite years of angling, he was immediately full of nerves as the line continued to be stripped from the spool amid a completely unstoppable run. He could feel through the rod that the fish possessed massive weight and power. Surging runs continued and Krit was yet to gain line as the fish kitted back and forth out in open water.

A truly team effort to tame the beast ensued.

After 30 minutes of intense action a crowd had started to form behind Krit in his swim, all expecting to see a giant Siamese carp. The group would later all have a role to play to finally get the fish in. 45 minutes in and Krit was feeling the burn when we got the first glimpse of the fish, taking us all by surprise. Silver in appearance with a rounded head left fellow anglers convinced that it was a Chao Phraya catfish. Moments later, the second show left us all stunned as we looked at each other in amazement when we realized it was a Mekong catfish. Suddenly, disaster struck and Krit’s reel could not take no more as the drag washers disintegrated and a team effort would be needed to save the day. Another rod and reel was prepared in the Sala by onlookers, then a few others cautiously held the line against the leviathan to buy some time. Something we all know can be quite dangerous when there’s a monster on the end! When the moment came and against his instincts, Krit alone cut the line at the spool, then with the slack line behind the team, tied the quickest back to back knot the world has ever witnessed! His heart was racing as the tension increased down to the spool once again and the line began to whistle in the wind, the joint knot twanging between the eyes.The knot held and the battle continued.Just after the hour mark, the gillies got their first chance at netting and after all the efforts made by other members of the team they wasn’t about to make an error. In one seamless motion they slipped the the cage under and around the giant 2.5m fish and the battle was won. It was a truly memorable moment as we all screamed in excitement to finally see such an elusive giant finally landed at Jurassic. Some people believed Jurassic’s Mekong catfish are no more than a promotional myth given that they were stocked nearly 9 years ago and had yet to grace the net. Now though the photos speak for themselves! The low stocking density has allowed them to thrive, doubling in weight and smashing Krit’s personal biggest fish, BUT this is not a lake record for Jurassic as we have had Arapaima topping 400lbs in the past too, also HOMEGROWN. This Mekong was stocked at around 80kgs in 2012. Collectively the grouped placed an estimate on this fish of in excess of 160kgs. A doubling in size, and a credit to the stocking profile of the fishery and the way the fishery has been managed over the years, in many fisheries large Mekong catfish tend to decline in weight after being stocked due to over stocking, this is the difference between a Specimen Lake and a Match Lake so often overlooked in Thailand.

Testimonial

Jurassic Mountain Resort & Fishing Park
43/6 Moo Baan Kokesehti Tambon Na Yang, Na Yang, Cha-am District 
Phetchaburi 76120
Thailand
For all enquiries/bookings contact:  enquiries@wordpress-1242400-4445492.cloudwaysapps.com
If you have not already liked us on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/JurassicMountainResortFishingPark

A new year and plenty of action at Jurassic

Welcome

Welcome to the January newsletter and what a month it has been with developments in full swing across the resort as we move one step closer to providing guests with the ultimate angling experience. There are big plans in the pipeline and whilst we eagerly await your return, the longer the wait, the better Jurassic will be as we utilize this quieter period to its full potential. Several new faces have stepped foot through the doors and have fallen in love with the friendly atmosphere and exceptional customer service whether it be for a spot of lunch overlooking the lake or a weekend away in our deluxe accommodation. This, twinned with the world class angling on offer is what keeps our regulars coming back and some have even moved into the area making The Angler’s Rest their local pub.

It has been another interesting month on the lake with an array of different species appearing as the water temperature has started to climb. The misty mornings have led to some stunning sunrises. Arriving on site around 6am for a lap of the lake and looking out across the rice fields as the first rays of sunlight expose the egrets stalking crabs in between the stems; being out and about at this time makes you feel like you have got the whole world to yourself and it certainly gives you the feel-good factor for the day ahead.

Dennis breaks his PB

Dennis was also up and about bright and breezy getting ready for the day ahead as he sat down on the veranda with a coffee and pondered his approach. The Bay was his swim of choice based on the long lengths of margins either side providing prime habitat for the predators. It was action from the off as the Amazon redtails moved in on the spots and the slow steady takes kept on coming. As midday approached, Dennis already had several fish on the board, but the next take was certainly one to remember. The alarm descended into meltdown. A spool spinning absolute screamer and he was quick to lift into it, but there were no signs of it slowing down. The fish was soon out in open water and Dennis held on as there was little, he could do. The rod tip bounced violently with each head shake which left the fishery team in no doubt as to what it was. By carefully observing the line angle, the gillies were able to instruct him when to bow the rod when the arapaima surfaced to take a breath. This is by far the most important point to take on board when playing this species. Despite being a dangerous species when handled, they are also very delicate. If the arapaima is rising up in the water, then the pressure being applied should be going down and the fishery team are always on hand for every arapaima encounter. Following a few breaths and clear instruction, Dennis was soon in the swing of things, but this was one angry arapaima, and the enduring encounter was taking its toll on him. The thought of a trophy photo can bring a smile to your face but after half an hour it can feel like a world away given the effort required at times. Sweat was dripping and the clutch was ticking but Dennis dug deep, and words of encouragement were welcome. Just after the 40-minute mark, the cage was raised, and Dennis dropped to his knees. Relief and joy all rolled into one at the end of a truly epic arapaima encounter being his largest to date.

Paul tackles the redtails

Paul had also set his sights on the arapaima when he arrived for a day trip. Whilst checking in, it was hard to ignore them hitting the few remaining frogs in the water hyacinths from the night before. Blind Man’s Bluff was available, so for him it was a no brainer. He ordered breakfast and collected his items from the clubhouse before the fishery team escorted him down to the swim. Keeping a close eye on our YouTube channel meant Paul was well informed and armed with an array of different baits to get the swim going. Chopped mackerel, chicken hearts and of course the all-important Tuna and Mackerel Oil formed a potent mix packing plenty of smell. The liners soon started, and pockets of oil spread on the surface indicating that there were already fish churning up the substrate beneath. The Amazon redtails arrived in numbers and the rod tip soon wrapped round. Paul set the hook and was not expecting to meet so much resistance. Plenty of side strain required nearly spun him on the spot. It was a typical big redtail fight heading down the edge at full throttle but 50 yards later and even we were wondering what it was.  but at long last he managed to turn it and started to gain some line. A flash of orange emerged and gillie Amm was met with a big friendly cat near the net. A great start to the day for Paul filling him full of confidence just in time for his full English breakfast.

A prehistoric species

Tim was well aware of this when he made the journey round from Pattaya for a 3 day stay. The first day was spent in Sam’s Sala using rice bran meal and coconut milk packed tight around the feeder which resulted in good run of Indian carp. Lazy Man’s on day 2 turned out to be a slower day as the arapaima were not playing ball but his efforts well rewarded in The Point during the third and final day. The action kicked off with a good run of Amazon redtails, double takes and braces up until mid-morning. The jewel in the crown came in the fine form of a Niger ripsaw which fell to a chopped down balanced boilie hook bait positioned at the base of the first shelf and it fought like a demon for its size.

Wine and Dine at Monsoon Valley

Hua Hin Hills Vineyard is home to the award-winning Monsoon Valley label and a range of labels marketed as new latitude wines. Hugged by mountain ranges and endless expanse of greenery, the vineyard offers a delightful excursion, complete with wine-tasting and dining opportunities. Covering an expansive 560 acres of verdant countryside, Hua Hin Hills is tucked away in a remote part of Hua Hin, about 36km from the town Centre. It is best to spend at least half a day at the vineyard. You can combine the trip with a visit to Wat Huay Mongkol and Baan Silapin, both are en-route to Hua Hin Hills.

Hua Hin Wine Safari

Hua Hin Wine Safari is a privately guided all day tour limited to 6 persons per trip or no more than 3 per Jeep. This landscape is especially suitable for growing grapes and these are then used to produce Monsoon Valley’s quality wines which are also known as the “New Latitude Wines”. Your morning will be spent visiting the Hua Hin Hills Vineyard, savoring Monsoon Valley wine and tantalizing Thai dishes at the Sala Wine Bar & Bistro.
The journey continues by Jeep to Kui Buri National Park, taking in the beauty of nature along the way while your guide shares interesting stories with you during the one-and-a-half-hour journey. Upon arriving at Kui Buri National Park, you will learn about the importance of conserving natural resources and enjoy the natural habitat of the wildlife, including herds of elephants, gaur and banteng within the 969 square kilometers of the National Park. This journey culminates with a picnic in the forest, then before sunset, you will be safely taken from Kui Buri National Park back to the resort.

Paving the way for your return

It has been another busy month at Jurassic in terms of building developments and improvements across the resort and this project was a pleasure to see take shape. The previous stamped concrete had served its purpose over the years and had seen the foot traffic of thousands of happy anglers, but it was time for a change. Following a series of discussions regarding different designs, we settled upon an orange tile encased within a non-slip Sand wash to be laid across the whole resort. Several weeks of hard work came together with a building team approaching 20 people on-site working both day and night at times and we were more than happy with the result. The building team will certainly be busy with what we have planned, so make sure you follow our social media presence to keep updated with ongoing improvements such as this mesmerizing time lapse video.

Fish Stockings

This month we started our stocking program with the aim to improve the species diversity at Jurassic and build upon our existing stocking profile. We are well known as a go-to venue for big fish where anglers flock with their sights set upon the giant Siamese carp whilst others eagerly anticipate landing the arapaima, as many of you may recall. The lake also boasts a diverse array of different Amazonian and Thai fish species and we are keen to build upon this to improve their catch rate for our customers. The first group introduced were tambaqui starting at 8kg, pacu from 9kg, and Niger ripsaw catfish from 9kg with more of these scheduled to arrive over the coming weeks. It has been a pleasure to see anglers land some of these fish already and the smiles on their faces as we continue to add to the sense of mystery with each bite as you just never know what you will catch.

Customer Service

Following the successful upgrade of the high-speed internet across the whole site we have made the most of this to implement the Jurassic Client Services ordering platform that allows you to contact the Jurassic Team directly and place your order. Upon check-in you are invited to scan the QR code to add the service to your contact list. Whether you are in your room, by the pool or during the angling action, our staff will confirm your order and deliver it to you within our opening hours. This ensures that if the gillies are busy netting fish, you can order directly, sit back relax and enjoy your holiday.

Gone with the wind

The Big Fan is one of 2 prominent corner swims situated at the end of the lake adjacent to Lover’s Retreat and its name originated from the large steel windmill to the rear of the swim. The windmill used to serve as a wind-powered water pump to top up the lake level but as Jurassic evolved the flow rate was insufficient and we have since installed a pump system to supersede it. Whilst the pump was decommissioned the windmill was an iconic feature but over the years it had become a nuisance due to the noise created from the turbine during windy weather. As a result, a crane was hired, and the windmill was recently removed. In the meantime, the root system of a fan palm tree was damaged after strong winds and it was slowly falling into the lake near Mountain View. To retain the swim name, this was uprooted, moved, and replanted in swim 7 so the name now refers to the plant, not the structure. Over the coming months, we expect to see this flourish as its roots take hold and its fans out to live up to its name.

Upgraded payment facilities

We are pleased to announce that card payment facilities have now been installed and set up at the front desk meaning that cash payment is no longer necessary. As well as the most popular Visa and Mastercard types, we also now accept other payment methods including JCB, UnionPay, K+, Prompt card, Thai Payment Network, and Thai QR Payment. In addition to this, a direct bank transfer is also offered meaning that you can relax with peace of mind that carrying cash upon arrival or taking a trip to the ATM is no longer required.

Testimonial

Lizzi and her partner joined us at Jurassic and here is what she had to say about the trip-on-Trip Advisor.

“Amazing!
We visited in January this year as my partner is a keen fisherman. The resort itself was fabulous, we stayed in a lodge overlooking the lake. The rooms were done very tastefully with leather sofa in the lounge, cable TV which opened into the bedroom with a well-stocked fridge, tea and coffee making facilities. A door led off to a shower room with a sink and toilet, some toiletries and towels were provided. The grounds were stunning and immaculately kept including the swims around the lake. A small lake with pet fish and the swimming pool was on the grounds with a jacuzzi and waterfall. The clubhouse/ restaurant served Thai along with English food and on Sunday’s a roast dinner with all the trimmings is served with apple crumble and custard. I would recommend it to my friends and would come again. We would go again maybe stay next time for a few days we were picked up and dropped back to the hotel all included in the price.”

Monthly Wildlife Watch

The collared kingfisher also known as mangrove kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris) is a medium-sized kingfisher belonging to the subfamily of tree kingfishers and is native to Southern Asia. It is mainly found in coastal areas, open grassland, and farmland. Their diet consists of small crabs and shrimp when possible but also insects including grasshoppers, moths, butterflies, spiders, worms, frogs, and small fish. They can remain motionless for long periods whilst waiting to spot prey and they dispatch it by pounding it against their perch before eating.

The common kingfisher is also referred to as the Eurasian kingfisher due to its wide distribution. The species is sparrow-sized and easily identified by the blue coloration on the chest and orange underparts and a long bill. Its diet in Thailand mainly consists of fish and shrimp that can be spotted near the surface and visual adaptations improve its ability to spot prey sub surface. The common kingfisher can be spotted on a perch located above the water before diving steeply down to depths of 25cm below the surface depending upon visibility. Once the prey has been caught, this species also beat it against their perch before swallowing it headfirst. Common kingfishers are important members of ecosystems and good indicators of freshwater community health and are often used as bio aquatic indicators when accessing waterbodies

The white-throated kingfisher also referred to as the white breasted is another species of tree kingfisher that is widely distributed across Asia. They do not require a water body and can be located far away from water bodies and are commonly found in urban areas. The species feeds upon a wide range of prey that includes small reptiles, amphibians, crabs, rodents and even birds. They have become a common sight in towns and cities and can be spotted perched on buildings and wires in the mornings and calling loudly especially during mating season.

Until next month – tight lines!

Jurassic Mountain Resort & Fishing Park
43/6 Moo Baan Kokesehti Tambon Na Yang, Na Yang, Cha-am District 
Phetchaburi 76120
Thailand
For all enquiries/bookings contact:  enquiries@wordpress-1242400-4445492.cloudwaysapps.com
If you have not already liked us on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/JurassicMountainResortFishingPark

Welcome

Welcome to this month’s newsletter and firstly, we would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all the Jurassic Team here in Thailand. It certainly wasn’t a white Christmas here; however, the temperatures did drop down to 18’c on some mornings. This may sound warm to you, but it is a lot cooler compared to 30’c I can assure you. Jumping in for the photos first thing in a morning comes as quite a shock to the system and does more than take your breath away! Sadly, this year due to the restrictions, guests were unable to join us and enjoy a traditional Christmas dinner together at Jurassic and you have been duly missed.  It is unfortunate as many may recall sitting around the table amid the festive cheer whilst exchanging angling stories from past and present. Despite the rules and regulations, we hope that you have embraced time well spent with your families and loved ones during the holiday period and we wish tight lines upon all you anglers that have been braving the freezing temperatures in search of your quarry. I myself can recall many nights spent by on the bank under the stars watching the cat ice form in the margins, but it was all well worthwhile landing the fish of a lifetime in its true winter colors. The same thing can be said about the anticipation of returning to Jurassic and in the meantime, improvements continue to be made meaning that the long wait to return here will be well worthwhile.

Arapaima action!

A mixed bag

Graham has fished in Thailand for several years and prefers to utilize his angling time to target the Siamese carp, so he was keen to try the latest 600kg batch of Jurassic Classic boilies. He has taken quite a shine to “The Bay” of recent given its access to open water with depths down to 5 meters. He is a firm believer that certain fish can be targeted in different areas of the lake and it has been interesting to compare photographs from past and present. The hard sloping marginal shelfs can be easy to locate meaning that some spots out in open water can be overlooked and receive little angling pressure as a result. Spending some time casting a bare lead to explore the contours, Graham located a harder area at around 40 yards and clipped up two rods it. The Spomb rod was then clipped to a few yards short of the same mark to allow for the arc of the leads before a mixture of boilie and pellet was applied. The first run of the morning led to an Indian carp, followed up shortly after with a Siamese carp. The takes kept coming throughout the day with all fish failing to a single Jurassic Classic boilie hook bait which included an Asian redtail catfish and several Amazon redtails. Graham topped up the swim with a few more Spombs and spotted an arapaima surface. Within seconds of retrieving the Spomb, the rod ripped off and he saw it surface again, only this time he was hooked into it. It just goes to show that the Jurassic Classic boilies are a desirable food source for all species which only adds to the mystery of what to expect next.

Always bring a book

David got set up on his chair by the rods in Mountain View where he presented a feeder on the bottom and put one of his custom built wagglers to the test serving as a visual aid. He located a deeper area to the left of the swim just a few rod lengths from the bank. Dave mixed a concoction of breadcrumb, sweetcorn and ram to form several balls of feed. A small piece of flake delicately presented on the hook was all it took before the float shot under and line was peeling off heading under the plants. The sense of mystery remained until this sorubim broke the surface and Yott slipped it into the net. Another species for him and yet another fish landed using his own float range.

Rob also got to work with a feeder from Jamboree a few days earlier but chose to suspend it beneath a float to target fish up in the water. Whilst tucking into breakfast, he heard a feint buzzing sound. He didn’t think much of it at first, but it started to get louder and he was convinced there were a bees nest in the roof and they weren’t best pleased with his presence. Fearing the worst, he dropped his knife and fork and jumped out only to find the Jurassic drone in action and me laughing from a distance! Another hour went by and the wind dropped and there was an uptick in activity. A few fish showed themselves and Rob was feeling confident. He recast to the same spot with a fresh piece of breadflake and within minutes, it was away. Blowing the whistle meant that the gillie was soon on the scene, in the water and ready with the net.  Yott got the first glimpse of float and was expecting to see a Siamese carp soon after…not an angry alligator gar!

Tim had success with the Siamese carp after making the trip round from Pattaya. He fished from The Point and spent a good hour casting a bare lead to paint a picture of the bottom. The weather had been clouded and strong winds had seen a drop in the water temperature. With this in mind, Tim fished one carp rod in deeper water and the other was positioned on the near slope to cover both bases. The sun broke through mid-morning it was the shallow rod that proved to be successful leading to a series of takes from Siamese carp.

Duncan, a Jurassic villa owner also enjoyed a day targeting the Siamese carp fishing from Mountain View using a blend of boilies and pellet. Two rods fished tight on a single baited area resulted in a mixture of species but the highlight for him was this jet-black beauty taken on a single boilie fished hard on the bottom.

Graham was already on a roll in The Bay just next door having landed 4 different species and he thought things could not get any better. However, in the afternoon, a fresh P.V.A bag had hardly hit the bottom before line was being stripped from the spool. A strange fight unfolded, and the culprit was teased to the surface in the fine form of a Niger ripsaw.

The Amazon redtail came thick and fast for James during his quest for an arapaima. On several occasions, they were present in the swim, but the catfish kept cleaning out the spots. James was hot on the rods and his adrenaline was flowing time after time with each take. During this period, he was graced with several 60lb+ redtails which improved his technique leading up to him landing the fish of a lifetime.

Black Mountain water and wake park

The Black Mountain Water Park is spread out over 40 000 square meters of land and is situated just 15 minutes from the centre of the town Hua Hin. It Opened in 2011 and is now one of the most popular tourist attractions in the region and has since received multiple quality reviews from tourists and residents who were extremely happy and satisfied. There are several different slides and pools on the site that offer enjoyment to all ages. A total of 9 slides and 6 pools offer diversity to families and couples but also mean that the park can accommodate a large volume of people during the high season without feeling overcrowded. The Park is full of high quality and modern equipment, and all operated in line with the highest standards of safety and with highly trained lifeguards. Black Mountain Wake Park is set in the heart of the mountain which has a stunning view of the biggest natural water supply to the lake and obstacles to test the best of riders. The course offers a wide variety of activities including wakeboarding and stand up paddleboarding. There is an onsite restaurant and patio overlooking all the action, surrounded by sunbeds and umbrellas, seating outside and shelters for the riders at the edge of the lake.

The Angler’s Rest

Developments at The Angler’s Rest continue as the transformation is well underway towards a lakeside country pub atmosphere. The angling theme will incorporate numerous items of John Wilson’s tackle in his memory along with other memorabilia steeped in angling history. Now that the floor has been laid, this has literally paved the way for further work to be undertaken and construction of the new bartop has begun. We will complete the renovations ready for your return where you will be able to sit beside the bar and enjoy a selection of beers and ales on draft.

Jurassic Monster Tackle and Bait

The Jurassic bait range continues to expand with the latest editions including micro pellet, fishmeal and breadcrumb. The micro pellet is perfect for use with P.V.A. bags and despite being only 2mm in size, they have a breakdown time of 30 minutes. The fishmeal is a super attractive powdered additive with a 60% protein content and is ideal for mixing with ram whilst feeder fishing or dusting glugged pellet and boilie. The final addition is the fresh finely ground breadcrumb that has and always will be a super effective ingredient when feeder fishing either on the bottom or suspended beneath a float. A 50/50 mix of ram and breadcrumb mixed with coconut milk is an ideal method in seeking out the mighty Mekong catfish. This month we also welcomed David Wilson at the clubhouse where we sat down with a pot of tea and discussed the final details of a float range to suit all angling situations here at Jurassic. Over the years I have personally used and subsequently destroyed floats from the U.K. as the vast majority either cannot withstand the abuse from the fish or use components that are not compatible with larger diameter lines and larger baits. One of the most popular models is the D.W ‘Big Boy’ predator float that can suspend a 4oz inline lead within the fishery rules along with a large predator hookbait. Other floats include method floats designed to present a suspended method feeder, pellet wagglers to suspend double Jurassic Classic boilies on the drop and wagglers to be fished at dead depth with a lead or feeder. Follow the link to the video to see these in action or head to the Jurassic Store where they will be listed shortly. 

Jurassic developments

Whilst we aim to make your stay as relaxing as possible, we understand the importance of connectivity which allows you to share your experience with your family and loved ones. High-speed internet is also key to conducting business, especially video conference calls, so you can get peace of mind that all in order whilst enjoy the holiday of a lifetime. Superfast fiberoptic cable has been laid across the whole site meaning that each room, each swim and areas in between feature their own router and the system has been tailored to provide optimum coverage wherever you are on the resort. The upload and download speeds are expected to be a minimum of 100mbps international to cover all situations.

Stunning Jurassic Sunsets

There have been some stunning sunsets of recent and coupled with the recent marketing investments, the drone has been taking flight daily to capture the true beauty of what surrounds us here at Jurassic. 6 aerators are evenly distributed to maintain dissolved oxygen levels and the compressors have recently been moved away from the lake to ensure complete peace and tranquility around the lake. At present there are 11 swims spaced around the lake and water vegetation has ensured that each swim provides equal angling opportunities when it comes to targeting the fish of a lifetime. 

Testimonial

Monthly Wildlife Watch

Baya weavers are known to glean paddy and other grain in harvested fields, and occasionally damage ripening crops and are therefore sometimes considered as pests. They roost in reed-beds bordering waterbodies. They depend on wild grasses such as Guinea grass as well as crops like rice for both their food and nesting material. They also feed on insects, sometimes taking small frogs, geckos and molluscs, especially to feed their young. They are best known for their hanging retort shaped nests woven from leaves. These nest colonies are usually found on thorny trees or palm fronds and the nests are often built near water or hanging over water where predators cannot reach easily.

It is common to see these carpenter bees searching for pollen along the margin plants at Jurassic and they make quite a sound when they take flight. Moving from plant to plant often makes them difficult to photograph however, we recently come across an exhausted carpenter bee with a folded wing so Tom poured him a teaspoon of orange Fanta whilst gillie Yod re-aligned its wing. After the quick pit stop, it was moved to nearby vegetation to rest and recover.

There are several different species of spider in Thailand such as the huntsman, black widow, tarantula but having been here for 4 years already I can safely say that I have yet to encounter any of them on the naughty list. The huntsman is quite common and despite their large size similar to a house spider like many other Thailand species including the one above, their diet comprises of insects and flies including mosquitos. So just like the lizards, they play their part in the ecosystem and their webs can be spotted amid the damp mornings.

Until next month – tight lines!

Jurassic Mountain Resort & Fishing Park
43/6 Moo Baan Kokesehti Tambon Na Yang, Na Yang, Cha-am District 
Phetchaburi 76120
Thailand
For all enquiries/bookings contact:  enquiries@wordpress-1242400-4445492.cloudwaysapps.com
If you have not already liked us on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/JurassicMountainResortFishingPark

Another month and more monster Siamese carp!

Welcome

Another month has rolled by and we have welcomed more new faces making the most of the quieter period here in paradise. Regular customers have returned, and more personal bests have been broken as we experience sunny days coupled with a cool breeze. Developments are in full swing and our building team have been kept busy working alongside contractors. We have seized this opportunity and invested to further develop the Jurassic to the next level, offering a truly special experience. This short note is to inform our valuable customers that Jurassic has now changed hands. This being said, we would like to confirm the high level of customer service, excellent fishing, and accommodation our guests expect will remain the same if not be surpassed.  We are can also ensure the existing staff are staying, with Tom remaining as the Fishery Manager. One of the three co-founders Jules will remain in a consultancy role to ensure that improvements are being made around the resort to improve the whole holiday experience. Sadly the only change is Eddy; after many years at the height of the fishing industry, he has decided to take some time out with his family. This being said, we wish him all the best, as I’m sure you do.Finally, we are delighted to announce a new addition to the team. Mrs.Jo Bowler has kindly agreed to handle all bookings for the resort.

Maximize your angling time

Peter has been coming to Jurassic for years and has come to learn the importance of different methods at different times of the day. He had been looking forward to escaping the city ahead of this trip but was rather apprehensive after a recent golfing trip had resulted in elbow strain. The thought of cancelling the two days session was not even a consideration but I did suggest he sold his clubs!  Would his arm hold up whilst playing fish?… Well, there was only one way to find out. The first day saw him set up in Blind Man’s Bluff as he split the rods between carp and predators. It turned out to be a quiet day across the lake on the bottom and it was not until the afternoon before the action unfolded landing a few Amazon redtail and Siamese carp before sunset. Bearing this in mind and being his last day, Peter wanted to maximise his chances, so he utilised 3 rods in total; 1 carp, 1 predator and a roving float rod. This allowed him to really work “The Point” for a variety of species whilst covering different depths. An epic final day saw him on his feet putting the tendonitis to the test landing 19 fish split between 4 species; 5 Indian carp, 6 Amazon redtails, 2 arapaima to 220lb and 5 Siamese carp to 130lb being the highlight for him. If Carlsberg did physio…

Back on the bank

Philip popped in around midday to pick up a few bits from the tackle shop and bite to eat. Sat overlooking the lake with a cheeseburger as the action unfolded, he couldn’t help but notice that Lazy Man’s was vacant. With a few arapaima rolling along the hyacinths, temptation got the better of him..

Philip popped in around midday to pick up a few bits from the tackle shop and bite to eat. Sat overlooking the lake with a cheeseburger as the action unfolded, he couldn’t help but notice that Lazy Man’s was vacant. With a few arapaima rolling alongside the hyacinths, temptation got the better of him… It wasn’t long before he was booked on and clipped up just inches off them. In under an hour, he was stripped down to his boxers, face to face with his biggest ever arapaima as part of 3 fish landed in the afternoon.

The redtail species have continued to put in an appearance, in particular, this native Asian redtail succumb to a single chicken heart fished tight to the bank from Lover’s Retreat. They breed happily in the lake and can attain weights in excess of 100lb. Speaking of redtails, John has been making the most of this quieter period. To say he lives within casting distance isn’t far-fetched as he resides just around the corner. He enjoyed a great day’s sport in Jamboree consisting of several marginal battles with the Amazon redtail and there were some real chunks among them.

Michael started his first day of 3 in The Point and fished one rod with pellet and boilie and the other on the feeder. The morning period was quite slow before he opened the account with this Indian carp.

Tom and Tania were looking to try something different so they did their research online and read plenty of reviews before booking. Seeing more of the Jurassic media they had started to get excited at the thought of a new experience. After enjoying a lie in and breakfast overlooking the lake, the fishery team pointed them in the right direction. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned angler, our staff are on hand to assist you in your angling much to Tom’s delight as he displayed his first fish for the camera.

. It wasn’t long before he was booked on and clipped up just inches off them. In under an hour he was stripped down to his boxers, face to face with his biggest ever arapaima as part of 3 fish landed in the afternoon.

The redtail species have continued to put in an appearance, in particular this native Asian redtail succumb to a single chicken heart fished tight to the bank from Lover’s Retreat. They breed happily in the lake and can attain weights in excess of 100lb. Speaking of redtails, John has been making the most of this quieter period. To say he lives within casting distance isn’t far-fetched as he resides just around the corner. He enjoyed a great day’s sport in Jamboree consisting of several marginal battles with the Amazon redtail and there was some real chunks among them.

Michael started his first day of 3 in The Point and fished one rod with pellet and boilie and the other on the feeder. The morning period was quite slow before he opened the account with this Indian carp.

Tom and Tania were looking to try something different so they did their research online and read plenty of reviews before booking. Seeing more of the Jurassic media they had started to get excited at the thought of a new experience. After enjoying a lie in and breakfast overlooking the lake, the fishery team pointed them in the right direction. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned angler, our staff are on hand to assist you in your angling much to Tom’s delight as he displayed his first fish for camera.

Take a boat trip to see the whales

Mention whale watching in Thailand and you may get funny looks. Not widely known, the Gulf of Thailand is indeed home to whales, specifically Bryde’s (pronounced ‘bruda’) Whales. These majestic 15-meter long creatures live in the waters off Samut Songkhram and Phetchaburi provinces year-round, but they flock to the northern gulf to feed on an abundance of anchovies during the rainy season. Wild Encounters Thailand tours usually operate eight months a year while ChomWhales runs their touring season from October to early December. The best months to see the whales are from September to November as the waters are most calm during that time. Tours costs from 1,800 baht to 2,300 baht per person. Whale watching involves a long day, with lunch and drinks provided on the boat. It can get hot so the tours are best suited for children ages 5 and up. Prepare hats, sunblock, snacks, and motion sickness medication.

“Walking in a winter wonderland”

Following the first instalment of the eco-friendly solar cell system and the success of the Jurassic Boilie range, we decided to expand our freezer capacity.  Fresh bait plays an important role when it comes to fishing so we have recently constructed a 10m3 walk-in freezer. This will allow us to mass-produce and store boilies in tip-top condition prior to your arrival which will include Jurassic Classic and Fruit and Nut.  These are just a few boilie products that you will be available to purchase on-site or order for our online store. Predator anglers can also look forward to a wider selection of dead baits to give you the extra edge whilst in search of specific species such as giant snakehead and Chao Phraya catfish.  Come to think of it, the freezer has many uses especially for anyone who candle handle their ale!

Jurassic Monster Tackle and application

The Spomb is a great tool and despite being heavily utilized in Europe, it isn’t often used in Thailand despite offering plenty of advantages. When fishing at distances in excess of 50 yards, it becomes difficult to apply to a spot accurately. Catapults can lead to a wider spread and are hard work in the wind and trying to small particles is simply impossible. The Spomb allows you to bait up accurately with baits of all sizes and in this episode, we look at fishing two rods tight on a baited area. The locking mechanism means that supersaturated pellets and boilie crumb can be applied whilst keeping yourself clean operating efficiently, unlike trying to direct a catapult whilst covered in tuna oil!
We caught up with Mark after he dusted off the rods and had a look at his approach which is centred around keeping things simple. We look at the use of big hook baits which has accounted for a consistent track record of singling out big carp off the bottom.
The Jurassic Mountain Tackle range as it continues to expand with new products being added each week that are perfected suited to both your angling at home and here at Thailand. The full range is available in the tackle shop on-site and will soon go live soon on the Jurassic Online Store meaning it can be delivered to your door.

Species Overview: Giant Snakehead

The giant snakehead (Channa micropeltes) known locally as “Pla cha doe” is found in Southeast Asia, Malay Peninsula and Indonesia and they have very few predators in their natural habitat once they reach adulthood. The giant snakehead is the largest in the Channidae family and is fished for by many in backwaters and marshes. The Giant Snakehead species have been reported up to 1.5 m (4.9 ft) long with weight to more than 20kg in some cases. To date, the largest weighed and confirmed specimen has been 11.2kg here at Jurassic and they are highly elusive. They can move over land in wet periods as they can crawl and breath air hence the nickname mudfish. They have a primitive lung located behind the gills which allow it to survive in stagnant water where oxygen levels are low, meaning that they can travel on land. However, they can only hunt in water as they cannot support their large body with small fins, and they require the water for propulsion in order to attack. They are one of the most aggressive predators and they are highly territorial, striking fish of all sizes, tearing away chunks of flesh in the process. This makes for exciting lure fishing among marshes and wetlands drawing lures across the surface to imitate frogs and prey fish to intimidate an attack.

The young of the Channa micropeltes are red in colour, with orange and black lateral stripes appearing after about two months. The red fry can be easily spotted near the surface appearing as a red ball and referred to as “nam dang” meaning red water. The parents stay close by to the fry ball during the early stages to ward off any potential predators. During this stage, the adults are most aggressive and will strike anything that comes near their young. As the fry mature, they lose their stripes and redness and instead develop a bluish-black and white pattern on the upper body. Colouration can vary dramatically during adulthood resulting in surreal patterns including black, white, purple, blue and olive green and can vary depending upon environmental conditions.

The species has been successfully utilized in the fish farming production of tilapia and are snakehead are deemed highly suitable for stocking in tilapia cage cultures in low numbers. The predator-prey relationship results in the snakehead being the perfect tool to control overpopulation and eat any stunted and deformed fish leading to an overall healthier and homogenized tilapia stock ready to harvest for the table.

Successful methods to target the species at Jurassic include suspending small (2-4 inch) tilapia live baits no more than 1 meter before the water’s surface with common striped snakehead found along the edge of the water hyacinths whilst giant snakehead can be targeted in open water and in or around water inlets.

A unique property in paradise

A rare opportunity to buy a unique designer multi purpose property (can be a dwelling, home stay, a restaurant or a spa). Surrounded by rice paddies, ponds and stunning panoramic mountain views. It’s a beautiful home or could easily be furnished to provide a great commercial opportunity, such as a restaurant, bar or spa.

Many of you who have frequented Jurassic will know this property as it sits majestically at the bottom of the lake and fishery on the other side of the canal, or if your friendly with Jules you might have even sat and enjoyed a few glass of vino in it! Covid has provided the business with a great opportunity to expand the project and this property will be sold off to raise finances for the new lake project.

Land Area approx    1500sqm

Living Area approx   170sqm

2 Beds

2 Baths

Large Terrace (with Seating as a restaurant can accommodate up to 30 covers)

As a spa, 2 VIP Rooms (currently bedrooms) and open plan area

Parking for several cars

Fish Pond/Moat around 3 sides of House

Asking Price 11,500,000BHT

Financing possible with a deposit in excess of 60%

For further details regarding this property please contact Jules by email at jules@wordpress-1242400-4445492.cloudwaysapps.com

Palms in paradise

An alternate angle of one of the fan palms that surround the lake contributing to the diverse array of flora and fauna that can be found.

Testimonial

Monthly Wildlife Watch

Most species of damselflies (and dragonflies) require a minimum temperature in order to fly. Despite being ectothermic, they can control their body temperature to some extent by stretching out in the sun to warm up and by adjusting their orientation to the sun (tipping abdomen up) to control the amount of solar radiation they absorb. Because of this temperature limitation, most species of damselflies are diurnal. Damselflies are very agile fliers. Like the other Odonates, damselflies can control the frequency, amplitude and angle of their two sets of wings independently. Though the two pairs of wings typically beat out of phase with one another, damselflies can control them independently, and can even move all four wings at different frequencies. Despite this, damselflies do not fly with the speed and agility of their close relatives, the dragonflies. Damselflies can fly on average, about 10 km/h, whereas some species of dragonflies can fly at speeds greater than 70 km/h.

Several species of butterly frequent the tropical gardens that surround Jurassic as they seek out blooming flowers. I beleive this species to be known as The Common Earl, a nymphalid butterfly that is native to South and South-East Asia. The genus Tanaecia comprises of about 30 species, found variously in India, Burma, Thailand, West Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo, south China, the Philippines, Java and Bali. Males of most species are dark chocolate brown with broad slightly metallic blue or green marginal bands. Females of all species are paler and are patterned with a series of white or greyish streaks, indented with dark chevrons.

Erebus macrops aka the great owl moth is a species of moth and is found in the subtropical regions of Africa and Asia. They have an exceptionally large wingspan of up to 16cm and their diet includes fruit and natural fibres from the host plant. They are a nocturnal species that can often be spotted in the morning taking rest inside the salas from the night before.

Until next month – tight lines!

Jurassic Mountain Resort & Fishing Park
43/6 Moo Baan Kokesehti Tambon Na Yang, Na Yang, Cha-am District 
Phetchaburi 76120
Thailand
For all enquiries/bookings contact:  enquiries@wordpress-1242400-4445492.cloudwaysapps.com
If you have not already liked us on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/JurassicMountainResortFishingPark

October produced some Giant Siamese carp!

Welcome

October has been an interesting month as we welcomed familiar faces from all over Thailand during the wettest weeks we have experienced so far this year. Our regulars returned, joined by a few more first timers seeking out the Jurassic experience.  The heavens truly opened mid month and the lake benefited from an influx of cooling rainwater as the local farmers took to the flooded fields in search of snakehead for the pot.  The sudden drop in water temperature is often associated with slower fishing sessions as the fish can go off the feed. However, anglers experienced quite the opposite and were rewarded with red letter days consisting of multiple giant Siamese carp captures. The rain was relentless and the building team were up against it. The usual Thai approach to waterproofing electrical equipment with plastic bags and cable ties was deemed to be unsafe even by their standards! A few extra days with their families was well deserved after the contracts kept coming and we make the most of this quiet period to further develop Jurassic and what it has to offer. So stay tuned…

Swim selection

We welcomed a full house of anglers for a 2-day social get together shortly after the clouds cleared and people had been itching to get back to the lake. As always, the atmosphere was warm and welcoming at the draw for swim choice as anglers discussed sought after species. Out of all the different species to target here at Jurassic, the elusive 3 figure Siamese carp is one of the most desired. Peter from Bangkok was first choice and selected The Point, a swim with historic form of producing big fish and a potential dream maker. Paul decided on Mountain View, another firm favorite for the carp and a known patrol route. Graham wasn’t too preoccupied upon the carp angling and set about The Bay which allowed him to keep his options open.

Only one bite required

Mark loved the relaxing atmospheric experience during his first trip to Jurassic. Just two weeks later he headed back for another complete contrast to the hustle and bustle of Bangkok. Mountain View was the swim of choice. A steady take saw him lift into what we all believed to be an Amazon redtail catfish but suddenly an arapaima surfaced for a quick breath and proceeded to strip 60 yards of line from the spool. The intense action certainly tested him before he landed his largest freshwater fish to date.

Peter fished opposite, on the right bank in The Bruce in what started as a slow day session. He had little to show for his efforts in the morning and he had been looking forward to a break for lunch. However, the afternoon more than made up for morning as the swim switched on. His enthusiasm to get to the rods, saw him loose his footing and the sound a screaming take was drowned out by laughter around the lake. Less than an hour later he soon silenced them landing an impressive alligator gar meaning he was not the only one that “slipped up”.

Dave came to fish for a day with his friend Dennis after first fishing the lake many years ago. He worked the waggler and a predator rod in The Big Fan leading to several Amazon redtails and an Asian redtail. He returned back to visit the tackle shop a few days later to get some bits in anticipation of his next trip near in mid November. 

Tom took to The Point with the wind on his back to shoot an episode of Tackle and Bait where he was demonstrating fishing on the drop with the boilie waggler. The conditions were perfect, and he was looking forward to wetting a line after seeing swirls in the upper layers. The aim was to try and catch a pacu or Siamese carp. Although he was left puzzled and perturbed when his first and only cast led to him landing an Amazon redtail at just 2 feet deep despite seeing other species in the area. It just goes to show you that they really do eat anything from anywhere.

Phanom and Thai produced a series of Siamese carp to keep the action coming on two rods and they were interested in targeting the predators on the float on the others. Whilst Amm set up the floats, Bank set off to fulfil their order of 20 small live bait tilapia. By using small baits, they figured that they would be attractive to smaller species also and they were not wrong. A super aggressive take led to a short but highly erratic fight before an elusive giant snakehead was in the net. Fishing in such a manner should certainly be considered if you fancy your chances in taming one or a tarpon. 

Fun for the kids

The farm was opened in 2012 and covers around 10 acres in total and follows a European farm-like style throughout with scenic meadows all set against the backdrop of the mountains. The site does not necessarily follow an educational theme but instead offers children the opportunity to get up close and personal and hand feed the sheep or bottle feed the young lambs. In addition to this there are several rides aimed at small children and a restaurant. A trip to Swiss Sheep Farm usually forms part of a trip to Camel Republic and / or Santorini Waterpark given that each attraction does not constitute a full day alone.

The Angler’s Rest Country Pub

The Angler’s Rest country pub continues to take shape and the lake view dining is certainly something special. In order to expand upon this, we have moved the access points to the sides as opposed to the front center of the restaurant. This minor alteration in conjunction with further management of the lakeside vegetation has allowed us to double the seating area that benefits from a direct lake side view. 

Jurassic Monster Tackle and application

In this month’s edition we look at a specific method more at home in the European match angling scene. In the first video, Tom delved in to fishing “on the drop” and how to apply this at Jurassic in a safe manner to target species such as pacu and Siamese. In the second video Tom explored simple ways in which you can improve your accuracy and efficiency. By marking the line and fishing to a far bank marker, this allows you to hit that same spot every time. He also incorporates different tackle items into his arsenal and demonstrates just how speed clips can buy you that extra angling time whilst on holiday. 

The products and videos are linked to the images above and are well worth a a look at the points covered that can be applied to your angling both at home and here in Thailand.

Species Overview: Alligator gar

The alligator gar is a euryhaline species meaning that they can live in fresh and brackish water and it is the largest species in the gar family. They are native to the Southern Unites States of America and they have been widely introduced into the sport fishing scene in Thailand. They are often referred to as living fossils due to reports tracing their records back to the Early Cretaceous period over 100 million years ago. Their long-term survival has been attributed to a few aspects. A highly vascularized swim bladder connected to the pharynx by a pneumatic duct gives them the ability to breath air in conditions of low dissolved oxygen levels. In addition to this after spawning they produce green eggs with a large yolk sack, and these are toxic to their potential predators increasing their survivability. Another feature is their ganoid scales which have serrated edges and are nearly impenetrable so much so individual scales have been used as arrow heads among tribes. In their native environment they can reach monstrous sizes of up to 3m and up to 2m in Thailand and can be easily identified by the olive green / faded appearance and torpedo shape. Unlike other gar species, the upper jaw of an alligator gar has a dual row of large, sharp teeth that are used to impale and hold prey. Alligator gar are relatively passive, seemingly sluggish solitary fish, but voracious ambush predators that are opportunistic at night. Their method of ambush is to float a few feet below the surface, and wait for unsuspecting prey to swim within reach. They lunge forward, and with a sweeping motion, grab their prey, impaling it on their double rows of sharp teeth.

Resort developments

The builders have been hard at work again this month as we enter the next stage of developments at Jurassic. Whilst we miss not having you here, this quieter period has allowed us to finally find the time to make on site improvements for you to enjoy upon your return. The existing bridge over the waterfall has been moved and positioned over the predator pool. This may come as a relief to some of the regulars who decided to take on the stepping stones after a few too many sherberts and ended up in with the arapaima and alligator gar… Safe to say they sobered up in an instant! Also another bridge has been constructed over the waterfall and the adjoining path has been amended. Both of which are now wider and a solid walkway it set to continue around the whole lake. This means that we can improve access and comfort during wet weather conditions and offer an enhanced customer service.  

Stunning sunsets

Sat behind the rods in anticipation during the final few minutes as the lines twitch  and big swirls keep forming over the spot. The clock is ticking, and the sun has met the with far bank signaling there is not long left. The left alarm utters a bleep then the right rod suddenly goes into meltdown taking you by surprise.

Testimonial

Monthly Wildlife Watch

Have you ever wondered what the tight clutches of pink balls were along the edges of the lake that can be spotted in the mornings?  It is an underwater snail, with yellowish round shells that can grow big as its name and lays pink eggs just above above the water level. This snail was introduced from South America to clean fish tanks and was promoted as a food for people. It was found in the wild in Thailand in 1984 and is now the most serious pest in rice and taro fields. This has resulted in an increased use of pesticides. This seems unnecessary, as many wild fish, birds, mammals, and crabs eat the snails. Since such predators are almost extinct due to cats, dogs and hunting, the snails propagate out of control. Also, in natural wetlands, this snail eradicates the native flora, and outcompetes its Thai cousin Pila polita (hoi kong), which has white eggs and darker shells.

The long spouted pipefish is a species of freshwater fish of the family Syngnathidae. It is widely distributed in Southeast Asia, and they in streams and rivers, where they feed on small crustaceans, worms and insects. They can grow to a maximum length of 41 cm, making the, the largest recorded freshwater pipefish. They can often be seem tight in the margins in shoals on the surface and resemble small alligator gar. This species is ovoviviparous, with the male carrying eggs before giving birth to live young

The Asian swamp eel or rice eel is common food source for the people of Thailand and can they are be located in ditches, ponds, streams and paddies. They are nocturnal and their diet consists of shrimp, small fish, insects, worms and frogs. The Asian swamp eel has versatile motility and is even capable of moving over dry land for short distances. This behavior is used for relocation according to resource availability. In the absence of water and food, the Asian swamp eel is able to survive long periods of drought by burrowing in moist earth. If its home becomes unsuitable, it simply crawls ashore and makes its way to a more suitable home by slithering over the land in a snake-like fashion.

Until next month – tight lines!

Jurassic Mountain Resort & Fishing Park
43/6 Moo Baan Kokesehti Tambon Na Yang, Na Yang, Cha-am District 
Phetchaburi 76120
Thailand
For all enquiries/bookings contact:  enquiries@wordpress-1242400-4445492.cloudwaysapps.com
If you have not already liked us on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/JurassicMountainResortFishingPark

Jurassic Loyalty Program

At present we understand that whilst you would love to come and visit us here at Jurassic, you may be apprehensive about booking given the current flight restrictions. In the meantime many of you are enjoying your angling at home and being out on the bank. This got the team here at Jurassic to brainstorm some ideas that might still give our customers a chance to plan and look forward to their next Jurassic Experience without having to commit to a date right now.

As a result, this months newsletter marks the launch of the Jurassic loyalty program, offering you reward points for selected products within the Jurassic Store, meaning that every time now you need a tackle item there is an opportunity to pay down up to 100% of the cost of a future holiday with us here, simply by choosing to purchase your everyday tackle items from us. Is this a big deal? We think so, in fact it’s a massive deal as now you can be saving for your holiday for as long as travel restrictions are in place.

Loyalty points have a value of 10 baht per 1 point and can be used as part or even FULL (if you spend enough!) payment against your future trips. This unique opportunity presents a great way that you can benefit from high quality tackle at competitive prices to use at home.  Whether you need to top up with some everyday essentials or are looking for more substantial items of equipment, the more you purchase, the more savings you make towards your next fishing trip. All loyalty points are accrued in your account so create an account today to get started (see link below)

This month’s bundle contains the following terminal tackle items;

1 x Jurassic Tackle bag,  1 x Speed link (20), 1 x Tail rubber (10), 1 x Chod beads (20), 1 x Size 8 UK swivel (20), 1 x Quick change swivels (10), 1 x Boilie hook size 2 (10), 1 x Anti-tangle sleeve (20), 1 x Lead clips (10), 1 x Quick change flexi ring swivels (10), 1 x Bait screws (10).

This product is in our online store here

At a cost of 2000BHT or approximately £49.99 including shipping from Thailand with a reward points value of 120 which is currently equal to £30 off your next booking, you would be mad to give it a miss. Head to the store and go to “my account” in top right and then click on REGISTER to join our loyalty scheme.

Once you are registered you will be able to take advantage of the program in which the points you gather are valid for TWO YEARS. We will be featuring at least one new product in our newsletter each month and others will be added  into the store without notice so keep an eye out for more opportunities to save on your holiday!

In addition to earning points on tackle purchases, you can also start earning points straight away by introducing others to the program. Simply follow the instructions once you have registered your account, to get more free points for introducing your angling friends and family.

A selection of captures from September

Welcome

It has been a busy month here at Jurassic in terms of both fish captures and developments on site as we make the most of this quiet period to undertake improvements to the fishery and resort. The country pub and restaurant is undergoing transformation by the week and it is a pleasure to see the improvements unfold. So much so that our guests truly are in for a treat when the gates open and they step back into paradise to experience the atmosphere for themselves. Also, as part of our continued efforts to reduce our environmental impact we have launched our solar project and there are plenty more plans in the pipeline. During September, our regular angling enthusiasts have arrived for their monthly fix of fishing in Thailand along with some new faces who also received a warm welcome by our staff and anglers alike.

Mick’s success with the predators

This was his second trip to Jurassic, and he was keen as mustard to target the predators after seeing others land arapaima last time. The draw led to him selecting Sam’s Sala where he set up one rod for the arapaima from the off. The morning turned out to be frustrating for him as he suffered two hook pulls to the predators and a draught beer washed away his woes in the early afternoon. Feeling optimistic, he struck gold and was buzzing with a 50kg arapaima meaning that his dream had come true. It was still sinking in when the rod ripped off again producing this alligator gar and at last knockings he landed another arapaima which left him simply lost for words!

Nearly 20 years in the making

The cooler weather is well on its way which had led to comfortable temperatures for fishing in and we have started to witness a change in species capture patterns. The carp species appear to prefer the sunny spells and anglers can recall their most prolific days on the lake whilst sweating buckets. Predatory species such as Asian redtails and arapaima can be observed hard on the feed in water temperatures of 28’C and below as Rob found out recently. He headed back up to see us from Krabi and started his session in Jamboree where he set up both rods for the Siamese carp. He has been longing to land a specimen tipping the scales to three figures, but it simply wasn’t to be when a series of Amazon redtail homed in on the spot after the rain. Fishing along the edges following an influx of cool water can be the prime time to target the Amazon redtails and captures of 20+ cats have been noted in the past whilst doing so.

Bertrand on the other hand had been looking forward to targeting the predators, especially the arapaima. Stormy showers had rained down during through the night but Bertrand brought the blue skies with him from Bangkok ahead of a day session in Sam’s Sala. He was pleasantly surprised when his first arapaima fell to a single Jurassic Classic Boilie. He could not believe his luck only for the fish to clear the cage whilst he grabbed his camera. Still with mixed emotions…his other rod ripped off and he went on to land his second arapaima at nearly twice the size which was far better behaved. The ups and down of angling in under an hour!

Danny and Mark had been looking online for a weekend getaway and Jurassic was their top choice as they checked in for a 2-day break from Bangkok to relax and explore the resort with their families. Despite having fished just a little in the past, they soon got into the swing of things with a cold beer and Danny landed an alligator gar in the afternoon. At first he was apprehensive about getting into the water after seeing their teeth, but the fishery team were on hand to talk him through things much to the amusement of Mark.

James had also been looking online and after following our Facebook page for a while, he decided to head across from Bangkok for a day session. This was his first-time fishing, so he did not quite know what to expect but Jurassic didn’t disappoint. He fished alongside his good friend Dave Brewster and a few helpful pointers saw him land several fish throughout the day. He was already on a high so when he was asked to help David Wilson display his giant Mekong catfish, it was certainly an enjoyable experience.

Meanwhile Graham was tucked away in Lover’s Retreat and his small critically balanced hook baits had been working wonders as he went on to land his second Niger ripsaw in as many trips making him one happy man given that they are particularly tricky to target. Paul popped by to congratulate him and the conversation soon turned to rig talk and tactics. Paul returned to his swim and made a few adjustments to his end tackle to produce a good run of pearlescent Indian carp, restoring confidence in his approach.

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Explore the local beaches

The long coastline on the Gulf of Thailand means that Cha-am beach is rarely overcrowded and is not overwhelmed by busy activities often found on the more popular beaches in Thailand. Bang Ket beach is only 6 minutes away and is incredibly quiet and clean offering peace and tranquility. Cha-am beach is just 15-20 minutes away from Jurassic, the beach benefits from patches of trees and plenty of sun-loungers with parasols allowing you to escape the midday heat. Activities on offer include traditional Thai beach massages, pony rides, jet skis, banana boats, windsurfing and water skiing or simply relaxing to the sound of the sea whilst reading a book. There are also numerous food vendors offering different types of fresh seafood and fruits and an array of eating options within walking distance.

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The Angler’s Rest Country Pub

Changes are now well underway as the clubhouse and reception transform into a lakeside country pub and restaurant. Whilst the building was structurally sound, its appearance needed a revamp to house the atmosphere that we aim to create. Therefore, both the interior and exterior ceilings have been reconstructed to include authentic timber beams that compliment the existing carpentry. Once the timbers have received their final coat, the ceilings and vaults will be painted and decorated. The colour scheme will be applied throughout the country pub once structural work has been completed  in other areas as the transformation continues…

Jurassic Monster Tackle and application

In this month’s edition we look at float fishing for predators safely and tying critically balanced pop up rigs along with the components involved. The video covers how to float fish for predators safely with the use of a lead to prevent deep hooking fish and this is of upmost importance when it comes to fish welfare. Once the float system is set up, adjusting the stopper bead means that you can adjust your depth with ease.  It is a versatile method which allows you to suspend a bait off the bottom or on the bottom and cover more water serving as a visual aid and is certainly an edge for species including Chao Phraya catfish, alligator gar and Salween Rita catfish.

Critically balanced hook-baits are common in European carp angling and are viewed to be advantageous given the hook bait can be easily sucked up from the substrate improving the chance of obtaining a hook hold. We look at the use of bait screws to attach pop-ups, how to tie a rig and the different ways in which the bait can be balanced on the bottom complete with a tank test to give you an insight.

Species Overview: Niger ripsaw

Oxydoras Niger or cuiu cuiu is a species of thorny catfish and they are Native to the Sao Francisco, Essequibo, and Amazon basins. They have a reported upper weight of 30lb, but larger specimens can thrive in a fishery environment. A temperature range of 24 – 29.5’C is ideal with a pH range of between 5-9 and the species is used to muddy slow moving rivers and lakes. Its name derives from the thorns running along the lateral line which can cause considerable damage when handling if you do not follow instructions by the fishery team. The ripsaw utilises its downturned mouth to sift through the substrate and prefers silty areas where their receptors identify food sources including decaying vegetative matter, chironomid, and larva. In a similar manner to a tench, pin prick feeding bubbles and plumes of disturbed silt may be used to indicate feeding areas. The best baits to tempt them include small baits such as q single 12mm drilled pellet, breadflake, worms and wafters.

An eco-friendly project is underway

One of our most recent projects aims to reduce our electric consumption across the site by investing in a modular solar system. The frame work has been designed and constructed to support a series of panels that will allow us to expand the system over the coming months. The associated electrical wiring has been submerged underground and runs to a control box complete with regulator and inverter before joining our electric supply. At present, only a few panels have been installed to gauge the power output generated and ensure that the system is suitable. We look forward to developing the system with the long term goal to fully eliminate our electric dependency on the main grid and move towards sustainability. 

Testimonial

Monthly Wildlife Watch

The rice field crab of the Somanniathelphusa genus is known locally as “poo naa” and they inhabit the paddies in the surrounding area and are considered a pest due to their burrowing behavior and destructive diet. They are regarded as a pest that literally eat into a farmers profit due to appetite for fresh rice shoots. The crabs dig into the ridge left when the rice paddies dry out From January to April they hibernate in these ridges, and this is the time when people consider their flavour to be at a peak. Hibernating crabs are big and tasty and when the rice harvest is over, adults and children gather to find crabs in the rice fields using a spade. Midday is a good time to find them when the sun heats up water in the field. Crabs escape hot water by hiding in the grass or under the field ridge and are easier to find.

The brahminy kite (red-backed sea eagle) can be found in India, China, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Lao, Malaysia, Sunda, Philippines, Indonesia, and Australia. In Thailand, it can be found in every region. They are distinctive and contrastingly coloured, with chestnut plumage except for the white head and breast and black wing tips. Diet consists of frog, tadpole, snake, bird, insect, mouse, duck, chick, and small reptiles and they and they can be found on the plains and lowlands and they can be spotted on the lake most evenings from 5pm until dusk

The brown rhinoceros beetle, Xylotrupes gideon is a brilliant species of large scarab beetle belonging to the subfamily Dynastinae. They are commonly used in beetle fights in Asia, where large sums of money are betted on their outcome.

Until next month – tight lines!

Jurassic Mountain Resort & Fishing Park
43/6 Moo Baan Kokesehti Tambon Na Yang, Na Yang, Cha-am District 
Phetchaburi 76120
Thailand
For all enquiries/bookings contact:  enquiries@wordpress-1242400-4445492.cloudwaysapps.com
If you have not already liked us on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/JurassicMountainResortFishingPark

August Caption Contest Winner

In August we ran a caption competition linked to when Martin Bowler was attacked by an alligator gar landed by Alan Blair. There was a good response with lots of entries over the course of the month and we are pleased to announce that we have selected a winner. The winning caption was “MANDATORY TACKLE INSPECTION IN PROGRESS” by “PERRY NOAKES” who has been issued the 7000 THB gift voucher which is equivalent to a days full fishing. Perry won the prize, as it was felt his caption was a good balance between humour, being cheeky wihout being crass, which cannot be said for all the entries!  Ensure that you like and follow our social media channels which include Facebook, Instagram, Youtube and Twitter so that you don’t miss out on upcoming promotions, offers, comps and prizes.

A selection of captures from August

Welcome

Another month has gone by and more angling dreams have come true here at Jurassic. Anglers from all over Thailand have been making the journey to paradise to take advantage of the quiet period, sat back, and relaxed behind the rods in stunning surroundings. Those of you living in Thailand who are now able to fly into Hua Hin Airport from provinces including Chang Mai and Udon Thani with additional routes soon to be expected so why not see if you can make it down to us to enjoy the special deals we have been doing whilst the borders remain closed. With regards to International travel, there have been talks to slowly open international flights, although this has yet to be officially confirmed and we will report travel updates for our international guests as soon as we have some firm news..

A superb session for Matt

Matt and his wife made the long journey by road down from north off the country from Pai, north of Chaing Mai to check in for a 3 day stay. The first morning and Matt was soon of the mark with a string of Siamese carp. The predator rod came to life in the afternoon leading to some epic marginal action accounting for both Asian and Amazon redtail catfish . Day 2 saw Matt move up to The Point where a single Jurassic Classic boilie produced his largest Siamese carp. With only 10 minutes remaining, he also hooked into and landed an arapaima at sunset, ending the trip with 20+ fish spread between 4 different species.

More personal bests being broken

Jurassic is home to several different species and during the course of a year the seasonal weather changes may reflect their catch rate. The stormy rain showers have started and the redtails have been hard on the feed as Ian found out during a day trip in Sam’s Sala. We had been hit by heavy rainfall for days, so he must have brought the sunshine with him. Chopped fish baits presented in a shaded area along some water hyacinths produced a series of Amazon redtail catfish  as they sought cover from the sun. Rob fished in a similar manner tight into the margins in Mountain View where he too was met with redtail catfish of the native variety. The Asian redtail are far more streamline in appearance and have been found burrowed into the actual banks on more than one occasion. Speaking of digging, another species that exhibits similar behavior in the lake is the aptly named shovel-nosed catfish (sorubim) meaning that the maintenance never ends!

Blind Man’s Bluff offers access to the largest water hyacinth bed in the lake and the swim has been on top form this month accounting for several arapaima as Peter found out. He had no less than 5 pick-ups leading to a total of 4 arapaima landed during just a single day session! Hearing of his success in the social media catch reports, Ron decided to follow in his footsteps and received 5 takes, unfortunately losing the first 4. This just shows how angling averages are formed, from highs and lows. After wondering what he was doing wrong, he recast the rods and hooked up into one of the largest arapaima in the lake. A grueling battle unfolded that lasted nearly an hour and we weren’t sure who was going to tire first. He dug deep and on the third attempt, the fish was safely caged. What a way to make amends given it was near 8 feet long, built like a keg and required 3 people to display it for the photos.

Up the the other end of the lake, Graham came last out of the draw and fancied his chances in Lover’s Retreat which is a swim that has been dubbed “redtail corner” and only associated with predators in the past. In spite of this, he set up two feeder rods on the bottom for the carp after locating some harder areas. He worked the swim to produce 11 Siamese carp and 1 Amazon redtail. However, the highlight of the day was one of the highly sought after Niger ripsaw catfish.! This species is very tricky to target due to its small down turned mouth and they are smaller overall than other species meaning that they may be displayed when competing for food.  Paul had been fishing opposite Graham on The Point and they had been batting the gillie between them like a game of ping pong take for take as Paul fished in a similar manner. Paul knew that in order to make the most of the rice bran meal, he would need to apply it at regular intervals. Repeat casts and additional loose feeding led to him using 10kg of rice bran meal to land 7 Siamese carp and 2 stunning Indian carp during the day trip.

Fun for all the family

ATV

The Cha-Am ATV Park is situated on, about 8 KM. from Cha-Am beach and covers a total area of 43 rai. The park has received the Award of Outstanding Performance in the category of Recreation Tourist Sites at the Thailand Tourism Awards 2008 and 2010. It is a soft-adventurous attraction with various activities available; including, ATV riding at different levels of difficulties, paintball game, gun shooting and archery.
Cha-Am ATV Park have 3 tracks to suit different age ranges and levels of experience including a full off-road tour led by a member of staff that allows you to explore further afield.

Paintball

Cha am ATV also boast paintballing featuring the latest equipment and a large, shaded field of play to offer both participators and spectators a more comfortable experience and good viewing. The course can accommodate up to 16 players at one time and is complete with kill zones and bunkers and is suitable for different ages and levels of experience. Refreshments are also on hand to combat the fast-paced action and warm weather. All equipment is provided including safety equipment. All Paint Ball players receive a full briefing from English speaking staff before the day’s action sports commence, with an emphasis on safety precautions, as well as proper use of the Paint Ball equipment provided, and all attire is issued at the beginning of a session

Archery

The archery target range has been recently developed and has been set up to suit all ages. Full instruction is provided whilst shooting at 12m targets with recurve bows and carbon arrows. ATV Cha am aims to accommodate all ages and levels of experience across all of the activities on offer to provide an enjoyable and exciting day out for couples, families and friends alike.

The Angler’s Rest Country Pub – see video

John Wilson is still fondly remembered for his massive contributions to the sport of angling through his numerous TV programmes, books and journalism. In his later years Thailand’s growing sport fishing scene was also helped immensely when John chose to take his retirement in Thailand. David Wilson recently presented us with one of John’s own fly rods complete with reel and flies. This very kind donation from Dave will form part of the John Wilson theme incorporating the Wilson Brothers memorabilia showcase on display in the Angler’s Rest. Over the coming months it will be completed and finally live up to its name as a welcoming country pub and restaurant. Work is due to be undertaken to transform the appearance and atmosphere of the Anglers Rest. The formation of a lakeside pub environment packed with character, nostalgia, fisherman’s tales, memories and memorabilia of the angling scene and its influencers over the years.  

Jurassic Monster Tackle and application

Jurassic Classic was formulated over a long period of time requiring extensive research and development to produce a high nutritional value bait that would promote growth rates within the fishery environment. As a result, each ingredient has been hand selected to form a balanced diet to promote weight gains. This is why their use is promoted and is included within the bait allowance whilst other less nutritious baits are not.  Jurassic Classic has been a success from the start accounting for all species and noticeably singling out the larger Siamese carp.  As each month goes by, new products are appearing in the Jurassic tackle shop and our online store as the Jurassic brand expands. Both boilies and base mixes are in stock whether you need to grab a bag before your next session or you would prefer to roll your own. From small to large quantities, they can be rolled fresh to order and are also available in shelf life for longer sessions and easy storage. 

The Jurassic Monster tackle range is also expanding to incorperate a wide variety of terminal tackle items suitable for use in both the U.K. and Thai angling scenes. A full range of rig components are well underway and their uses will feature in upcoming tutorial videos on our social media channels. From the application of P.V.A. Products through to understanding rig mechanics, it will form an alternate angle for viewers. All of the tackle and bait items above and many more are available in our store and can be pre-ordered before your arrival so  explore the store today and reap the rewards with every purchase.

Thailand’s biggest tarpon?

As part of our ongoing stocking projects, tarpon was selected along with a few other species to be reared onsite. They are a particularly tricky species to land because of this. Despite not being large by comparison to other species stocked at Jurassic, they are certainly one of the most testing species and anglers who have been successful in targeting them certainly cherish the moment. We are pleased to announce that we recently introduced the remaining tarpon stock into the main lake and what cracking fish they were. Like bars of silver, they are something special and here is an example of just some of the specimens that we stocked, being possibly THE biggest tarpon currently in a fishery in Thailand with several approaching the 50lbs mark..

At one with the arapaima

This fish had put up a good account of itself and its capture would be cherished for years to come by the angler. By handling the species daily, you can come to further understand them during each encounter. You realize that despite being the same species, they all exhibit induvial personalities just the same as their scale patterns. Over time, myself and the fishery team have come to identify specific fish and can recall their behavior from previous interactions. During each capture, different aspects much be taken into consideration with customer safety and fish welfare at the forefront. Handling the species must be done with great care and attention to ensure that us nor the fish are put at risk. You learn to read them by their body language and through feel, as to whether they are relaxed and willing to comply for the cameras. Accidents can happen and you do hear of them elsewhere. These usually occur when people do not adopt a safe stance and fail to respect the power they possess along with the potential problems they pose. On this occasion, the photography had finished, and the cage had been removed. We remained side by side for 10 minutes, aware of each other’s presence as I admired the sunset in the distance. His breathing had slowed, signalling to me that his heart rate had reduced and he had been allowed sufficient time to recover and.  On the breath captured above, I eased my grip and we went our separate ways.

Testimonial

Monthly Wildlife Watch

A carpenter bee was captured mid-flight as it went between the flowers up and down the banks. They can often be seen and heard as they go about their business. Multiple shots were taken, and we were lucky to get one in focus.

The Asian Openbill stork is found mainly in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It is greyish or white with glossy black wings and tail and the adults have a gap between the arched upper mandible and recurved lower mandible. Young birds are born without this gap which is thought to be an adaptation that aids in the handling of snails, their main prey.

The zebra dove (Geopelia striata) is also known as barred ground dove and is a bird of the dove family that is native to Southeast Asia. They are small birds with a long tail and are predominantly brownish grey in colour with black-and-white barring. They are known for their pleasant soft, staccato cooing calls and this one was spotted sat on its next in the bushes behind The Bruce.

Until next month – tight lines!

Jurassic Mountain Resort & Fishing Park
43/6 Moo Baan Kokesehti Tambon Na Yang, Na Yang, Cha-am District 
Phetchaburi 76120
Thailand
For all enquiries/bookings contact:  enquiries@wordpress-1242400-4445492.cloudwaysapps.com
If you have not already liked us on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/JurassicMountainResortFishingPark

Jurassic produces a massive 350lb+ Giant Mekong Catfish

The giant Mekong catfish is an iconic fish species of Thailand that has one of the fastest growth rates of any fish in the world. They can be distinguished from other catfish species due to their lack of barbules and teeth, unlike predatory catfish. Despite being native to the Mekong river basin in South East Asia, they are classified as being critically endangered in the wild. This is mainly due to disruption to their migration routes mainly as a result of dam building meaning they are unable to follow their usual migratory journey to spawn.

They are however mass farmed for food in SE Asia and very common in sport fisheries throughout Thailand. They are often stocked in high densities which can negatively impact upon their growth potential. Being herbivorous filter feeders, they typically feed upon terrestrial plants, benthic filamentous algae, weeds, and insects. In fisheries they will take to feeding on rice bran and bread but this diet again is not conclusive of good growth rates. For farming they are often reared in Green water fed with nutrient from the waste of chicken farming, which promotes dense algae blooms in the water column. Understanding their dietary requirements was key to managing the longevity of the species when they were introduced into Jurassic in 2012 with the biggest being 82kg.

We purposely chose to stock just a few individuals into the lake at the beginning, with the aim to allow them to progress naturally keeping the competition for their preferred food source low, and although this makes them much harder to catch, the results speak for themselves, with the fish doubling in size from an already large 82kg to a 160kg plus in around 9 years. They are one of the eight species present in excess of one hundred pounds in weight, in the fishery.

Avoiding anglers for nearly 9 years

Well known Thai angler Krit joined a group of twelve anglers from the UK at the start of the month headed by John Harvey. He had his sights upon landing a very big Siamese carp and felt Jurassic offered him the best prospect of a 75kg plus specimen, and that’s having extensive knowledge of many other venues in Thailand, and fished most of them. The daily draw for swim selection fell in his favor and he opted to fish his full three-day trip from The Bruce. His angling approach consisted of using the method feeder with copious amounts of rice bran meal with a bait additive of his own design to build a spot out in open water. Having baited heavily for the duration, Krit had seen countless carp, but the biggest was only 40kgs. During his third and final day in the morning, the alarm went into meltdown as the rod ripped off once more. He set the hook and despite years of angling, he was immediately full of nerves as the line continued to be stripped from the spool amid a completely unstoppable run. He could feel through the rod that the fish possessed massive weight and power. Surging runs continued and Krit was yet to gain line as the fish kitted back and forth out in open water.

A truly team effort to tame the beast ensued.

After 30 minutes of intense action a crowd had started to form behind Krit in his swim, all expecting to see a giant Siamese carp. The group would later all have a role to play to finally get the fish in. 45 minutes in and Krit was feeling the burn when we got the first glimpse of the fish, taking us all by surprise. Silver in appearance with a rounded head left fellow anglers convinced that it was a Chao Phraya catfish. Moments later, the second show left us all stunned as we looked at each other in amazement when we realized it was a Mekong catfish. Suddenly, disaster struck and Krit’s reel could not take no more as the drag washers disintegrated and a team effort would be needed to save the day. Another rod and reel was prepared in the Sala by onlookers, then a few others cautiously held the line against the leviathan to buy some time. Something we all know can be quite dangerous when there’s a monster on the end! When the moment came and against his instincts, Krit alone cut the line at the spool, then with the slack line behind the team, tied the quickest back to back knot the world has ever witnessed! His heart was racing as the tension increased down to the spool once again and the line began to whistle in the wind, the joint knot twanging between the eyes.The knot held and the battle continued.Just after the hour mark, the gillies got their first chance at netting and after all the efforts made by other members of the team they wasn’t about to make an error. In one seamless motion they slipped the the cage under and around the giant 2.5m fish and the battle was won. It was a truly memorable moment as we all screamed in excitement to finally see such an elusive giant finally landed at Jurassic. Some people believed Jurassic’s Mekong catfish are no more than a promotional myth given that they were stocked nearly 9 years ago and had yet to grace the net. Now though the photos speak for themselves! The low stocking density has allowed them to thrive, doubling in weight and smashing Krit’s personal biggest fish, BUT this is not a lake record for Jurassic as we have had Arapaima topping 400lbs in the past too, also HOMEGROWN. This Mekong was stocked at around 80kgs in 2012. Collectively the grouped placed an estimate on this fish of in excess of 160kgs. A doubling in size, and a credit to the stocking profile of the fishery and the way the fishery has been managed over the years, in many fisheries large Mekong catfish tend to decline in weight after being stocked due to over stocking, this is the difference between a Specimen Lake and a Match Lake so often overlooked in Thailand.

For a great overview of what Jurassic and the surrounding area has to offer watch this 5 minute video!

More newsworthy catches in July

What a month!

What a month it has been, consisting of monumental captures and personal records being shattered by anglers lucky enough to be able to make it to us during the continued COVID-19 restrictions. Whilst travel restrictions are gradually being lifted within Europe, unfortunately international flights have yet to resume to Thailand as concerns regarding the virus remain across the world. Thailand continues to be one of the safest countries by comparison and many of you made the most of our July Corona Special Promotion, despite not knowing for sure when we can get here, one thing seems sure, it is currently one of the safest destinations to travel too if you have concerns about Coronavirus.

A selection of species

John rallied the troops together and organized what is becoming a monthly gathering here at Jurassic, giving us 3 days of being fully booked, which is a mircale in the current climate, so thank you John, and all who came for your support during this difficult trading climate. Anglers from far and wide across Thailand flocked for three days of fishing with some making an eighteen-hour round trip in full confidence that it would be well worth it.

John himself made a start during the first day working the upper layers with a concoction of baits and additives from the tackle shop. Osaka fishmeal mixed into rice bran along with a few liquid additives improved the potency of the groundbait. He started the session with a good run of Siamese carp on the float before the winds went against him, so he switched  back to the bottom feeder. By forming a stiffer mix around the method feeder twinned with a small pop up, he bagged some incredibly beautiful Indian carp amid a moody mountain backdrop as the weather was unsettled to say the least.

On the opposite bank in The Bruce, Krit was still shell shocked after his massive Mekong capture as he flicked back through the photos in awe at what he had achieved. The swim had been kind to him since the start of the session when he landed two tambaqui back to back within hours of arriving. A pattern that we have observed here on several occasions whereby they  grace the nets  in quick succession before going back into hiding. During his third and final day and following the frantic change between tackle, his swim resembled a bomb site. As he packed away some bits, the rod ripped off just shy of 6pm. Shortly after the gillie slipped the fish into net and turned to him beaming from ear to ear, unbeknown to Krit what it was… What a way to end the session of a lifetime with yet another sought after species for the hat trick in the fine form of a Salween Rita catfish!.

Paul Remained Patient

The use of ground bait had been successful, but Paul preferred to approach his trip from a specimen angling perspective. Being no stranger to big fish venues such as the famous Lac de Curton (A.K.A. Rainbow in France), he was happy to get the traps set, sit back and relax. Arriving in Mountain View shortly after 7am, he cast a lead about the swim to help build a mental picture of the contours and substrate. Happy with a few firmer spots he located he got to work with the catapult and built up a light bed of boilies and pellet. A couple of critically balanced hook baits were whittled down and tested in the water’s edge. Paul was feeling confident as he got the rods on the spots. 4 hours went by without a single bleep sat listening to other anglers whistles and watching the gillies rushing around netting fish for everyone else. The subsequent banter soon followed with his fellow anglers asking if he was feeding them or fishing for them.  Paul, cool as cucumber remained optimistic and rejected the offers of tuition and Chang draft by his comrades, refusing to drown his sorrows just yet.

At 11am the right-hand bobbin pulled up tight developing into a screaming take as a big bow wave erupted over the spot. The rod tip arced over and stayed there, a telling sign of a chunk! He grabbed the whistle finally  put to use, proving to the others that it was more than an ornament as the fishery team arrived. After a protracted fight, a dark giant wallowed in the top water and seconds later, the gillie signaled success. Paul was blown away. His patience had paid off and it was well worth the wait. How the tables turned… A pint on order and one of the iconic giant Siamese carp at 150lb+ sulking in the cells awaiting photos, known to many as Scarface!

These were perhaps the most notable captures of the month, but others  also enjoyed success. Lee slipped the net under a pacu during the first few hours of fishing in Sam’s Sala to kick start the day. The species has been off the radar over the last few weeks which may be have been due to the erratic weather that we have experienced. Just like the tambaqui, captures usually come in spells during calm and stable sunny weather. Jumping in for the photos soon cleared the cobwebs following ‘a few’ beers the night before and the capture was well worth waking up for.

Grant also made a start in Sam’s Sala during his day trip to Jurassic. He first fished here many years ago and could not resist a day whilst in the area. Siamese carp were the desired species but only the predators expressed interest; Asian redtail, Amazon redtail and an Arapaima which sadly managed to pull the hook. After a chat with the fishery team, he took on board their suggestions and upped sticks, moving on to the far bank. His efforts were rewarded with a new personal best, a beautiful black Siamese carp making him one happy man! Steve and Simon also enjoyed success in the swim working as a team when action started early. Within the first two hours they already had six fish on the board, so they were optimistic about the day ahead. As the bites slowed down, the average weight went up as the larger Siamese carp moved in.

The next day saw Steve take on the predators in Lover’s Retreat, a swim that is often overlooked despite providing many opportunities. He approached the swim quietly and watched the water before getting the rods into position.  An aggressive take put the bodybuilder to the test as he set the hook into his largest ever arapaima. Yet another memorable highlight at Jurassic leaving him itching to come back.

Peter had also observed numerous arapaima and alligator gar at the opposite end of the lake. He was torn between Lazy Man’s and Blind Man’s Bluff as each swim offered access to the water hyacinths. He finally decided upon the latter and ordered some live baits to add to his arsenal. The live tilapia tempted a cracking alligator gar tipping the scales at a touch over 65lb.

Ian’s First day of three was spent in The Bay and things could have been better… Strong winds were clearing the cobwebs but hangover could not be shaken meaning both he and the weather indicated poor conditions. It was hard work and he lost a few good fish to add insult to injury. A valuable lesson learnt meant he was on top form and fresh as a daisy during his second day.  In Jamboree the tables turned, and he landed multiple Siamese carp on the feeder landing more than 10 fish to end the day on a high. Unfortunately, that evening, an old injury came back to haunt him leading to a broken knee and he subsequently missed his third and final day. We wish him all the best and a speedy recovery to join us back at Jurassic in the future.

Graham also spent a day in The Bay having never fished the swim, despite multiple trips to Jurassic. Curiosity got the better of him, so he got to work using rice bran meal. To his surprise an Amazon redtail had soon picked up the scent. David on the other hand , had set his stall out for them using chopped mackerel and chicken hearts leading to a few chunky cats before dusk. They are a common capture and can be caught using just about any bait given their scavenging behavior. Their characteristic long marginal runs make for hard fights that put your back to the test as they hug the banks and head for the water hyacinths.

It’s not all about fishing

Jurassic is not just a great angling hub, conveniently located for many of Thailand’s fisheries, but also sits close to not one but TWO popular holiday destinations here in Thailand, being Hua-Hin and Cha-Am.

There is an array of different activities and excursions starting on-site from world class golf courses a few minutes away, to days on the beach also a few minutes away and everything else in between.

The Anglers Rest

You simply cannot beat waking up in the morning to the sound of the bird calls and opening the curtains to be met with the tropical gardens on your doorstep. Follow the path across the stepping stones, over the arapaima pond and into the Angler’s Rest.  Order a freshly brewed coffee exactly how you like it and take a seat on the veranda overlooking the lake, whilst waiting for your full English. What a way to start the day at Jurassic! 

Jurassic Monster Tackle and Bait Shop

Follow the links in the pictures above, to find out what’s working on Jurassic. All products are available both on site and in our online store for pre-ordering before your arrival!

Enter our August Competition to WIN!

In July we ran the corona promotion which saw our customers benefiting from a 15% discount and bonus bait allowance which offered flexible and transferable dates for the next two years.

If you missed out on this deal, make sure that you follow, like and subscribe to interact with our social media platforms to keep up to date. Our social media pages is where we first launch any deals, promotions or competitions, as well as being packed with the recent captures and updates on the resort, it is certainly not to be missed, and we are currently working towards a truly unique and amazing promotion that could see the smart ones among you making massive savings on your Thai Fishing Holiday’s. So if you haven’t already, please get on our Facebook Page asap.

August Caption Contest Running Now on Facebook

In August we are be running a caption contest where one of you will be able to win a gift voucher worth 7000 THB which is equivalent to a days fishing.  This can be used as part payment against new and existing bookings. To enter, simply go to the  POST and COMMENT  with your caption then LIKE and SHARE the post. The comment with the best caption will be selected at the end of the month and will be announced in next month’s newsletter and on our social media pages. The Comment section closes at 6pm (UK) on the 31.08.20, so make sure to head to our Facebook page and get thinking for your chance to win!

Capturing the moment

Clouds had started to form in the distance building momentum between the mountains as they darkened in colour. A sudden gust of wind swept across the lake, stripping flowers from the bushes and depositing them upon the surface. The storm was brewing and could be heard up above. Suddenly, an eerie silence descended indicating we were at the centre just as the first droplets started to fall. Based upon previous years July had a minimum temperature of 25 degrees and an average rainfall of 93mm. Whilst storms often form in the afternoons this month usually sees only occasional showers that pass by in a few hours with an average daytime temperature of 33 degrees.

Testimonial

Monthly Wildlife Watch

The great orange tipped butterfly is a species found widespread across most of Southeast Asia. They can be spotted all season round especially between areas 9 and 16 in search of nectar produced by various flower types. The Green Paddy Frog is the best jumper among many Thailand frogs and is wary of humans. When disturbed on land it will often take several jumps of a meter or more to seek refuge under vegetation or in the water. In water its quick swimming action between vegetation is what many buzzbait lures have been based upon. Their preferred habitat is in and around near lakes, rivers, marshes, irrigation ditches, and rice paddies. Usually found within a few jumps of the water. They prey upon millipedes and insects and low-lying flies and are preyed upon by Snakehead, monitors and snakes.  The Javan pond heron is a wading bird of the heron family and is one of the most common birds to be spotted surrounding Jurassic. It is native to both fresh and salt-water wetlands in Southeast Asia preferring shallower water. They can be observed foraging along the banks in search of insects, fish, and crabs. Over the years they have become accustomed to the anglers on a daily basis and now spend their days stalking the black bait buckets in the hope of landing the ultimate catch, a fresh mackerel!

Until next month – tight lines!

Jurassic Mountain Resort & Fishing Park
43/6 Moo Baan Kokesehti Tambon Na Yang, Na Yang, Cha-am District 
Phetchaburi 76120
Thailand
For all enquiries/bookings contact:  enquiries@wordpress-1242400-4445492.cloudwaysapps.com
If you have not already liked us on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/JurassicMountainResortFishingPark

For the month of July we are running a summer promotion to help us bring in some revenue to do the gardening during the corona slowdone, and to help you cross that line of indecison and finally book your place in our angling paradise well in advance for the coming high season. So the deal is as follows:-

***JULY PROMOTION – CORONA SPECIAL – 15% OFF ***

Receive a 15% discount on our normal package prices for all bookings of 5 days or more secured with a 50% deposit before 31.07.20.

Bookings made within this period will, in addition to the usual 2000BHT daily bait allowance also benefit from 2490 THB worth of complimentary ground-baits, glugs, and pre-drilled pellet as listed below:-

10kg of mixed ground-bait

3 x 500ml glugs,

1 300gram pot of Pre-Drilled Pellets

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

1. Your deposit must be received no later than 31st July 2020 with quote “CORONA SPECIAL” included in your inquiry.

2. Date of travel must be within 2 years of Booking

3. In the event of international travel restrictions, deposits will be transferable to any available change of dates up until 31st July 2022.

Anyone who follows Jurassic, knows we rarely do these kind of offers, so this is the best chance to book your place in our fishing paradise to come along in a good while, so every cloud has a silver lining!

We look forward to hearing from you!

For a great overview of what Jurassic and the surrounding area has to offer watch this 5 minute video!

Newsworthy Catches in June

It’s been a while since we mailed out a newsletter so firstly, we would like to wish you and your families all good health given the events that have unfolded across the world in the last few months with regards to the coronavirus outbreak which has sadly claimed lives worldwide. We were looking forward to welcoming a lot of new guests along with regular visitors during the 2nd quarter of the year but unfortunately due to the travel restrictions imposed this was not possible. At present we are still awaiting the official verdict as to when international flights entering Thailand will resume. In the meantime, we have been in contact with customers daily who have upcoming bookings and we will continue to reschedule trips accordingly for those whose dates have / will be affected.  If you have an existing booking in the next few months, we advise that you check with your airline company in advance for updates and contact us via email, so that we can work together to help potentially re-arrange your booking. For all those who where planning to book, July is the month! As we are offering a great deal if you book with a deposit in July, along with flexi dates, so no need to fix your dates until we have some firm news from governments.

For the first few months of the year  I found myself sat overlooking the lake as it reflects back the blue skies, observing the arapaima surface for a breath, and listening to the bird calls continue uninterrupted as they reverberate back from the Mountain along with the distinctive sound of the cicada can be heard in the distance.  I found myself working away on the laptop sat in anticipation awaiting a bite alarm to go into absolute meltdown then the subsequent silence to be broken by an enthusiastic whistle. Hearing such a series of events I would be reaching for the camera, fully aware of a photo opportunity whilst the customer wonders if a cherished memory is in the making. This month, instead, I sat it in silence as we were ordered to close during the peak of the pandemic. On the upside it gave me time to actually appreciate the true beauty of where this has been written, often labelled as “the office” that can be so easily overlooked when you are lucky enough to be in paradise on a daily basis.

All anglers can relate to the feeling of uncertainty. The sudden rush of adrenaline shrouded in mystery that is felt from one bite to the next, whether it be by fly,  float or just a few bleeps on the alarm at night when you are tucked up in your bag. Now don’t get me wrong, it could well be tipping it down with rain and you know full well that them few bleeps are a bream. Here at Jurassic, they are all worth catching and angling for the unknown coupled with exceptional service is what keeps people coming back year upon year. On the other hand, Jurassic regularly welcomes new guests, some of which have never fished before, and we have been at the heart of people’s first angling experience. This is another thing that makes Jurassic so special, not just the fishing, but making new friends, and having new experiences, always makes for a great social atmosphere. The lake provides the perfect balance between both bites and big fish meaning that it is uncommon to spend a day on the lake and not experience excitement. In addition to this. For the serious specimen hunter there are currently 8 different species that have crossed the magical 100lb mark along with other specimen sized fish to go at.

Jurassic may be regarded as a hub for surrounding activities and we often welcome couples and families who balance their holidays between exceptional angling and sightseeing. The family package is just one of many available that is detailed on our website. Whilst you are in the area, we would certainly recommend the hustle and bustle of local markets such as the Hua Hin night market. This street glows with neon and striplights by dark as it comes to life each evening from 6:30pm and is known for its superb selection of fresh street food with hundreds of individual vendors battling for your custom. Simply strolling through the street is satisfying as you soak up the Thai culture that surrounds you.

For those of you that are a bit more adventurous you may prefer to explore the Phraya Nakhon cave which is home to a hidden pavilion at its center. (Don’t worry no bats in this cave!) Built in the late 19^th century it resembles a film set from an Indiana Jones movie.  If you time your descent correctly you will be met with a magical sight as the sun casts its rays upon the temple revealing all its beauty. First step to reach the cave is to drive to the small village of Bang Pu located by the beach, and from there decide if you’d rather rent a boat to take you around the cape to Laem Sala beach, or walk a 30 minutes trek above the hill leading to the same Laem Sala beach. A 430m ascending trail results in one of the most spectacular temples in Thailand. There are two caves connected by a wooden bridge and both benefit from holes within the ceiling illuminating inside with a radiant glow allowing trees and vegetation to flourish on a hilltop with the pavilion at the heart of such a surreal environment.

The restaurant at Jurassic continues to offer a diverse array of dishes and can comfortably accommodate 30 guests overlooking the lake and gardens where you will be welcomed by our friendly staff who can assist you with your order. Explore the menu and select from a comprehensive range of different dishes including Indian, European, and Thai cuisine to suit your palette. The tackle shop has received a few extra products of recent and all of which are in the process of being added to our ever-growing online store where they can be purchased for delivery. This has served as a lifeline to many ex-pats who are lucky enough to be living in Thailand and enjoy their angling but struggle to find tackle items that they require.

Patrik had been chomping at the bit to get back to Jurassic. As soon as the government allowed us to re-open, he travelled from Prachuap Khiri Khan for the day. With plenty of swims to choose from, he settled into Mountain View and kept an open mind using a mixture of carp and predatory baits. A little and often approach with the 12mm feed pellet soon built up the swim and a few Siamese carp followed during clear blue skies. Around mid afternoon the weather started to turn, and the predator rod came into play producing a series of Amazon redtail to end on. Less than a week later he come back accompanied by his daughter for round two battling the Amazon redtails until dusk. All in all, a great time spent together for father and daughter which just goes to show that the action can be enjoyed by all ages and genders.

Since the rains have arrived the monster Siamese have carp proved to be illusive. Well, quite a few lumps have been hooked and unfortunately lost before gracing the net. A characteristic dead weight fight followed by an angler’s worst nightmare! Overcast conditions suiting the carnivores have seen many customers making the most of the exceptional predator angling. Rob arrived after a long journey from Krabi and he was looking forward to wetting a line on Jurassic for the first time, setting his sights upon a giant Siamese carp. The big girls were not playing ball as Rob found out, however  landing a monumental five arapaima and two alligator gar during a five day period with the majority being landed on double Jurassic Classic boilie bottom baits he was more than satisfied. Mark recently retired here and has made the most of living locally during our quiet spell due to Corona, his  gar also fell to a boilie bottom bait which just proves that they are attractive to predatory species also. Speaking of predators, the Chao Phraya catfish are often referred to as freshwater sharks and can be identified by their distinctive dorsal fins cutting through the water surface. Graham witnessed such a display one morning in Mountain View acting upon it and casting to showing fish with chicken carcass. Unfortunately he received little interest until mid morning when his efforts were rewarded with his personal best alligator gar instead. These sought-after prehistoric predators can be tricky to hook and stay hooked  given their finicky feeding habitats, bony mouths, and rows of super sharp teeth. If you think that is the hard part, wait until you try to hold one for a photo and remain intact! Thankfully the fishery team were close by to lend a hand should he lose one!

Mark joined us a number of times throughout June One session starting in Blind Man’s Bluff fishing towards the largest water hyacinth bed on the lake . He opened the account with an Amazon redtail before later hooking into an arapaima that shook the hook merely meters from the cage. A few choice words were expelled as he headed up to Sam’s Sala to find Dave Wilson leaned into an arapaima of his own. Mark looked on as the fish was caged wondering what could have been, but no sooner had it been unhooked it bolted prior to a photo being taken clearing the cage in the process. So just remember that hooking the arapaima is just the start… Thankfully Mark made amends to the morning by landing two arapaima back to back in the afternoon and the celebratory Chang draft went down a treat. Mark’s most recent session falling near the end of the month, saw him beat a personal best with a Siamese carp last weighed at 135lb just before dusk. He was left lost for words, although a few pints later and we didn’t hear the end of it.

Dave Brewster also got in on the arapaima action. Being a carpenter by trade, his craftsmanship has been appreciated many countless customers over the years as he can recall forming the woodworking in and around the clubhouse and restaurant. He also set out his stall for the Siamese carp from Jamboree where he landed multiple fish in the morning before the swim went quiet, often a tell-tale sign that an arapaima had moved in. As anticipated his next take left him with no option but to get in and give chase as an angry arapaima charged up the margin and he could already hear Graham’s alarms. He had just baited up and cast in when the liners started. Graham stood by the rods in anticipation just as Dave appeared and the banter between them began. “Did you not have enough room in your own swim Dave?” asked Graham, reluctantly reeling in his rods, “never mind me, make yourself useful and grab your camera.” A short while later just as Dave was starting to tire, the fish was landed, much to his relief as his back was in bits.

Property Bought and Sold.

During the last six months there have been some movements in property. In October Villa 6 was purchased by regular customer Duncan who has fished Jurassic so many times he’s part of the furntature. His terrace looks out over the swimming pool set in tropical gardens approximately 60 meters from the Anglers Rest Restaurant. Pool Suites have the advantage of having the Tropical Swimming Pool with waterfall directly in front of their terrace. Villa 4, a Deluxe 2 Bedroom Family Villa was also sold just a few weeks ago and has proved to be popular since its development. This spacious two bedroom family villa is the most comfortable accommodation on the resort for families. Boasting two bedrooms one with queen size and one with super king size beds. In addition to this there is also a large sofa meaning that the property can easily accommodate easily four people. In addition the lounger area provides a very comfortable living space with a large 60″ TV and also a decorative fish tank. The terrace of the villa looks out onto our tropical swimming pool and it is a popular choice for families and small groups. At present there is one villa currently on the market; “Cascades” is a deluxe 2 bedroom villa with fabulous views over the lake and of Jurassic Mountain itself. The villa sleeps 4 people with one king size double bed and one twin bedroom with his and hers en-suite shower room. Fully fitted to a luxury standard, the 180 m2 villa boasts its own bar with sunset views over the paddy fields, top of the range pool table, 60” curved tv with platinum satellite TV package, fully fitted kitchen and has a/c in every room. Cascades is the ultimate fishing holiday accommodation and comes complete with its own Koi pond and waterfalls. Offers are invited in the region of 7.5M Baht and interest free finance is available if required. If you would like to know more information surrounding properties at Jurassic, please express your interest via email to enquiries@jurassicfishingthailand.co.uk

RESORT FACILITY UPGRADES

The swimming pool and jacuzzi has recently benefited from a new form of filtration system to ensure that the cooling water beneath the waterfall remains in tip top condition. Whilst some anglers want to make the most of their fishing time, others prefer to take a break for dinner. The temperature usually peaks between the hours of 12pm and 3pm and the action can subsequently slow down as a result. Whilst active anglers may switch methods can be successful during this period, others prepare to apply some free offerings and then rest the swim and seek shade. So feel free to grab your towel, order a fresh smoothie or an ice-cold draft beer and head to the pool for a few hours to relax during the hottest hours. Sun loungers and parasols allow you to seek shade to the sound of the birds meaning you can relax and unwind. The pool is great for family members and children during the days where they are staying on site and not exploring the local places of interest.

A Focus Upon Fish Morphology

The Arapaimas armoured scales provide protection from predators but do not severely compromise mobility because they are lightweight, flexible, and tough. The core of each scale is made from elastic collagen weaved into spiral layers that intertwine and curve inward and outward coupled with an outer shell. The scales also overlap by about 60% meaning that result resembles armor that allow the arapaima to survive in piranha infested waters. Being bitten or attacked may cause the scales to deform but their layered structure means that they do not crack or tear. Studies upon arapaima scales concluded that they are among the toughest of nature’s flexible biological materials.

Amazon redtail catfish also originate from the Amazonian areas including Brazil and Surinam but unlike the arapaima, they have skin is scaleless. They have a noticeably hard thick skull that aids digging and foraging for food. An armored bony plate extends approximately a third of their body length adding further protection and is articulated to improve movement. The dark colored solid structure on top is a complete contrast to their soft white underbellies that hugs the bottom in the murky depths.  

Siamese carp vary in color here at Jurassic ranging from bright yellow to grey through to jet black in color with a checquerboard appearance such as the carp pictured below. Anglers can appreciate their intricate scale patterns irrespective of their size as all the Siamese carp are in tip top condition.

Jurassic’s wonderful grounds

Whilst we offer some of the best fishing in Thailand to be had, the resort is set in stunning scenic surroundings. The paths weave their way through the resort encompassed by an array of different plant and tree species maintained on a regular basis in order to improve biodiversity. The gardens and plant species form part of the ecosystem for the various insects and animals that can be spotted on a regular basis

Testimonial

Jon Gregory has fished at Jurassic several times in the past and this was is what he had to say on Tripadvisor following his last trip:

“End of another fishing trip to Jurassic and once again caught some amazing fish. Over the 2 days fishing I had 16 Carp and Catla Indian Carp to 35lb, along with various Asian red tails, Amazon red tails and tambaqui. The resort is breathtaking and such well kept. Again Tom and Jules and all the staff there made us feel at home and welcome. Whilst we were there, some massive fish were pulled out and the lake was fishing its head off. We will be booking up for next year and would recommend it to all. Amazing venue and amazing fish.“

Monthly Wildlife Watch

Until next month – tight lines!

Jurassic Mountain Resort & Fishing Park
43/6 Moo Baan Kokesehti Tambon Na Yang, Na Yang, Cha-am District 
Phetchaburi 76120
Thailand
For all enquiries/bookings contact:  enquiries@wordpress-1242400-4445492.cloudwaysapps.com
If you have not already liked us on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/JurassicMountainResortFishingPark