"I returned to Thailand for the second year after an incredible first experience with Jean-Francois Helias’ excellent guiding service. I had caught a Mekong catfish of 82kg and a Siamese carp of 48kg at Bung Sam Lan – two fish beyond my wildest expectations. I had also seen large arapaima breaking the surface and instantly had a desire to catch such a remarkable creature.
This happened in the second year. I visited a lake with Jean-Francois and 5 other good companions for a 4 day trip. The lake was full of predators and I was assured there was a good chance of catching an arapaima. I was not let down and caught every day – 7 in total, mainly in ‘arapaima alley’ that Jean-Francois had put me on to. What an experience with the largest estimated over 30kg.
Of course, Jean-Francois had the last word, catching a monster of possibly twice that size as the last fish on the last day. If only we could have photographed it but the beomoth made its escape as it was being held to be immortalised on film. These are certainly ‘the times of our lives’."
Michael (Mick) Ward, England
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