Hi Mark,
Nope, not first time, but hopefully last time - the weather is really killing me softly with its humidity - 98 to 100% even at night.
Purchased the rod from one of the top sports outlet here, while I picked up the reel from a small shop - was available in the sport outlet but cost 400 more.
Sadly, majority of the villagers here consider the river a rubbish dump - you will find clothes, crates, bottles, plastic bags, hangers and even suitcases emptied in the river - this amounts for the lost of a lot of good quality hooks.
Still on the lookout for a rubbish-free area to enjoy some peaceful fishing.
Cheers,
Liz

Even the fishing in the UAE was great, as they have a great sense of hygiene - its only in India we face this problem, almost everywhere we try to fish.

Yeah, quite a few local guys fish in most areas, though still have to come across another lady angler, hence I receive a lot of surprised stares where ever I fish.

Sorry to add, that most of the young locals here cant really start fishing unless they have a bottle or can in their hand, which later ends with them urinating around the area.  Totally disgusting and really pathetic!!!!