Malaysia Peninsular Lakes, Perak, Chenderoh 马来西亚半岛湖泊，霹雳州属，珍德罗

Malaysia Peninsular Lakes, Perak, Chenderoh 

马来西亚半岛湖泊，霹雳州属，珍德罗

If you drive from Kuala Kangsar towards Gerik, Perak, you will come across signboards that announce the quaint names of local villages and towns — Sauk, Kati, Kampung Seterus and Changkat Duku, to name a few.

Then you will see a row of stalls on the left, the makings of a future town. The sign tells you that you have reached Kampung Kelantan.Turn right into the village, drive along the narrow road to its end, and you’ll be rewarded with the panoramic vista of an emerald-green lake.

You have reached one of the oldest impoundments in the Peninsula — Tasik Chenderoh.

The lake was built in the 1920s, during the colonial era when intense development was happening in our country. The Chenderoh Dam generated much-needed hydro-electric power to feed the hungry town of Ipoh and its attendant tin mines.

The lake is so old, the inundated stands of timber have all but disappeared save for stubborn stumps that lie just below the water surface, waiting for errant boatmen. The water is now a rich haven for aquatic life, especially the fishes.

It is a locally known fact that this lake produce fish that are far tastier than those from, say, Kenering and Temengor, further up north. Chenderoh is famous for its ikan pekasam, small fish like lomah and lampam preserved in rice paste.

It is ironic that for many years anglers have by-passed Chenderoh for the more “glamorous’’ lakes like Temenggor (errantly referred to as Banding, which is actually an island in the middle of the lake). Granted, the sportfish of Chenderoh — the toman, belida and sebarau — are generally smaller than in other bigger lakes, but they are compensated by the idyllic setting.

For the nocturnally inclined, there’s large belida in the main lake, where the original Perak River once flowed. These quaint predator fish are active at sundown until dawn. The favourite local bait for them are tiny ketutu (marbled goby).

As they say, sometimes the least important part of the fishing is the fishing. This is especially true of Chenderoh. In truth, we could get more frenzied fishing action in Kenyir and Temenggor. However, in Chenderoh, you would be hard put to find better fish dishes and hospitality. Even an afternoon snooze in one of the hammocks stretched underneath shady trees is especially soothing!

There is significant subsistence fishing in Chenderoh. As such, you can’t expect the sportfish like toman, sebarau and belida to be large. But even with all the activity, there are still good stocks of fish. And now that prices of rubber and oil palm are gaining ground, the locals have been distracted from the lake, thus giving the fish stocks a chance to bounce back.

Spinning or baitcasting gear in the 8 to14-lb range would suffice. Toman and sebarau are best targeted using lures. For the belida, you need to use live baits like the baby ketutu or freshwater prawns.

Upstream in the turbid Perak, bait-fishing can be done for bottom species like baung, kerai, tengalan, patin and the odd temoleh if you’re lucky. Traditional baits like bamboo grubs, live prawns and earthworms are needed.

For me, however, Chenderoh is a place where I can afford to be lazy.

Just a small rod, a few lures and a kayak or canoe, and I’m in business for a day or two of slow paddling and casting my small Rapala plugs or Blue Fox spinners in quiet coves, before the rumblings of my stomach remind me that the sumptuous lunch being prepared by Asiah is probably ready.

I would paddle back, leaving a bigger wake behind the boat. If the shoulder muscles start to scream, I would just let the boat glide quietly while I look around, immersing myself in this tranquil green sheen of heaven.

I just know I would never get tired of this place. - By Jungle Bum

Getting There

Follow the directions as above. You can arrange for Aziz to pick you up and bring you to the island. Suka-Suka can accommodate up to 20 guests at a time, but it is best to call Aziz beforehand since he has a regular flow of foreign tourists to the island.

Accommodation comes in the form of twin-sharing chalets. The home-cooked meals by Asiah are delectable, to the say the least!

Aziz can be contacted at 017-4680073, 013-5251177.

Recommended gear

For toman: 10–17-lb. class rods (Berkley Series One, Fenwick HMG); spinning reels like Shimano 3000, Daiwa Kix 3000, Penn Slammer 360; baitcasting reels like Abu Revo; lures like Rapala Shad Rap 9cm, Halco Scorpion, spinnerbaits, large spinners, plastic frogs.

For sebarau: 6–12-lb. class rods, spinning reels (size 2500); baitcasting reels like Shimano Calcutta 50; lures like Shad Rap 7cm, Abu Tormentor, small spinners like Blue Fox 9gm.

For bottom fishing at Perak river and the main lake: the spinning outfits for toman fishing will suffice. Bring leads of various sizes. The river can have strong currents.

Clothing: when lake fishing, it is best to protect yourself from the harmful sun rays. Long-sleeved shirts and full-length pants, wide-brimmed hats and polarizing sunglasses are standard gear to use.

Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/travel/malaysia/2009/02/05/charming-chenderoh/#4getak7lYpbxHgFk.99

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