This one is just like out of the pages of National Geographic. I have enjoyed a wide variety of fishing while living in SE Asia but this one has to rank up there with one of my favorites. From fishing parks stocked with endangered species to wild Lao countryside with difficult access, I love it all.
This day started with an early morning start. I made plans with 2 of my Lao friends to fish this remote mountain stream that I have been scoping out as I drive to our projects every month in northern Laos. We parked the Landcruiser and started off at the bridge where 6 young Lao boys decided to follow the big foreigner (mostly out of curiosity). We asked them for some directions to the nearest fishing hole and they very kindly led the way.
It wasn’t long before we arrived to this beautiful area where a small stream joined the larger one. It looked very trout-esque.
We caught a pair of Tilapia, Burmese Trout, and Sand Loaches. Here I am with the boys.
We left the boys and crossed the river to go downstream to find more good looking spots.
My Lao friend Dum caught this beautiful little trout on a worm. Not huge but it is the biggest one I have seen yet. Notice the par markings on the side.
This country is amazingly beautiful. At times I almost thought I was back home fishing the Kinni or Rush Rivers of Wisconsin.
We came across this woman looking for small fish, grubs, centipedes, and anything else she could find that is edible for dinner tonight.
She had quite a variety of specimens in here basket.
These 2 Catfish caught my eye. At first I thought I had the Bumble Bee Catfish (I am avidly on the hunt for the Bumble Bee Cat) in my hands until I realized they were a smaller Goonch species.
She also had this one that I have not yet ID’ed yet.
We then came across this family that was harvesting algae-like green gunk from the rocks (also for food).
Amazing Beauty!
Here is me with my friends Dang and Dum.
Dum is not so dumb as he showed me a little Lao ingenuity with the reel I gave him. Up here you cannot even find a fising pole like we know so Dum attached it to his cane pole and made an eyelet out of a washer for it.
Here Dang is crossing a cane pole bridge.
We then came across this nice S-curve in the river where we picked up a few Loaches and Trout.
Above the stream bed are these beautiful green rice field paddies.
Dang caught a bunch of these things up in the Rice Paddies. I’m not quite sure what they are yet but maybe some Gourami or Fighting Fish species.
A beautiful looking run loaded with small trout.
This is when I discovered the effectiveness of the Panther Marten. After making the switch, I couldn’t keep these fish off my bait.
I even found the remnants of the heavy shelling from the Viet Nam War Era. Laos (about the size of Minnesota) is the most bombed coutry in the world and so you don’t have to look far to find a souveneir to bring home with you.
You even have to be careful because of the many undetonated bombs in the area. Here are some lawn decorations or fense posts; however you want to look at it.
I picked up this nice Sand Loach in another area to finish off the day.
I also wonder, does Laos have any wild animals one should worry about when venturing into the bush to chase these fish?? I assume that region has a fair share of poisonous snakes. 
