Jungle Perch (hampala macrolepidota )
Jungle Perch (Transverse Barb) are found in lakes and rivers throughout Thailand and can attain a size of 4 kilograms. Regularly caught on both light spinning tackle and fly fishing, the biggest Jungle Perch are usually solitary fish, found in deep pools in local streams.
Occurs mainly in clear rivers or streams with running water and sandy to muddy bottoms (Ref. 4832). Found in most water bodies, except small creeks, torrents, and shallow swamps (Ref. 27732, 57235). A migratory species (Ref. 37772). Enters flooded forest (Ref. 9497). Abundant in the Mekong and in the Nam Ngum Reservoir. Found in the basin-wide tributary of the lower Mekong (Ref. 36667). Largest individual believed to be in a pool below the Chendoroh Dam in Perah, Malaysia. A predatory fish: adults mainly piscivorous in Zoo Negara Lake, Malaysia, but in Saguling Reservoir, West Java, 74 % of the diet consists of aquatic insects. Breeds throughout the rainy season. Source: Fishbase.org
Jungle Perch like this are a handful on light fly rods!
A handsome fish, the Jungle Perch have large, silver scales and orange fins. For the river and stream fly fisherman, they like bead-head Woolly Buggers in black or olive. They fight hard and are fun to catch on light tackle. Fishing for Jungle perch is similar to fishing for bass in North America.
