Participants from Bhutan, Thailand and several Indian states competed in fly-fishing, lure-fishing and community categories along the Yargyap-chu River at Mechukha Trout Quest 2.0
The second edition of the Mechukha Trout Quest concluded on July 26 in Arunachal Pradesh’s Shi Yomi district, bringing 56 anglers to the Yargyap-chu River.
Participants arrived from Bhutan, Thailand and several Indian states for competitions held across professional fly-fishing and lure-fishing categories. Indian fly angler and guide Bobby Satpal was among those who participated in the tournament.
Local Anglers Join the Competition
A separate competition for residents of Shi Yomi district was organised at the high-altitude Pasang Sonam Lake. The local category offered prize money of ₹1,00,000 for the winner and ₹50,000 for the runner-up.
The inclusion of a dedicated community event was intended to encourage local participation and extend the tournament’s economic benefits to residents of the district.
Tournament Director Derek Dsouza supervised the technical and conservation aspects of the competition. Dsouza is India’s Representative to the International Game Fishing Association and Vice President, Environment, of the All India Game Fishing Association.
The tournament followed catch-and-release practices designed to limit its impact on the river ecosystem.
Tourism and Conservation in Focus
The event was organised in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, Government of Arunachal Pradesh. It forms part of the state’s efforts to develop regulated angling and other low-impact adventure activities in ecologically sensitive areas.
The closing ceremony was attended by Gabriel D. Wangsu, Minister for Agriculture and Allied Sectors, Government of Arunachal Pradesh; Pasang Dorjee Sona, Minister for Tourism, Education and RWD; Rujjum Rakshap, Director of Tourism; Manjunath R., IAS, Deputy Commissioner of Shi Yomi district; and Army officers posted in the region.
Gabriel D. Wangsu presented cash prizes across the professional fly-fishing, lure-fishing and local community categories. In his address, he emphasised the need to develop tourism models suited to Mechukha’s ecology and said regulated adventure activities could support livelihoods in local communities.
Organisers said several visiting anglers expressed interest in returning for a future edition of the tournament. The response is expected to inform further efforts to develop angling tourism in Shi Yomi while maintaining conservation safeguards and community participation.
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