SUNGAI TIANG / RIVER TIANG
Sungai Tiang originates in the east of the Royal Belum State Park and is one of the most important tributaries feeding Lake Temengor. Access to the river is strictly controlled, this is truly wild and untouched nature like you have never experienced. You will be guided upstream by the native indigenous people, the Jahai tribe of the Orang Asli. The river is strictly catch and release, fly fishing only, and you will have access to the very upper reaches of the Sungai Tiang which are normally only open to researchers and forest patrollers.
Have no illusions, though, this is the jungle and the tropics, you will need to be reasonably fit and the fishing will be challenging. Most of these fish have never have seen a human being before, let alone one who can roll cast. But for those who come to explore, this will really be a once in a lifetime experience.
THE FISH
TENGAS / COPPER MAHSEER
Your primary quarry will be Tengas, the Copper Mahseer, these are typically in the 1-2 pound range and your approach will be similar to trout. They respond well to techniques such as dry flies. Fish up to 2KG are possible.
But any thoughts of English chalks streams will be long forgotten once you hook one. Masheer are much more powerful than trout, pound for pound, and you’ll need strong hooks and tippet to bring these safely to the net.
KELAH / RED MAHSEER
The Kehla, or Red Masheer, represents your greatest challenge on the Sungai Tiang, and this will likely be the one that got away.
Larger than their copper cousins, the Red Masheer gets big because it knows how to not get caught. It will require tremendous stealth and precision to get one of these hooked. There are Red Mahseer over 5KG in Tiang. They are difficult to reach, often laying below Tengas.
