Empangan Batu – Saturday, 3rd April 2010 (by Gerald K). During my recent trip to Empangan Batu, I have encountered small groups of palm-sized fish while paddling along Sungai Pamah. I learned later from a local that they were Mata Merah (means red-eyed) and I started to google for more information about them.
Hardly two weeks later, I was back at Empangan Batu. This time, to catch the Red-eyeds. I have always been interested to know more about our local indigenous species. So, I was all geared up to catch them…with fish traps and coconut kernel as bait. I have seen fishermen from Air Kuning used the same method to catch udang galah (giant freshwater prawn) and other similar fish. Our group included Azlan and his two sons, Isaac and Nick (whom I have difficulty telling apart even after so many meetings), his sister-in-law, Zawiyah, Mah and his wife, Irene and myself. Mah and I have brought our Tenkera rods specifically for the Red-eyeds.
Zawiyah, Nick and Isaac. No more rubbish...thanks to Earth Hour.
Azlan and his kids, Nick and Isaac, and his sis-in-law, Zawiyah...
Mah and his wife, Irene
My plan was to quickly lay the fish traps, set out to Eagle Bay for tomans before paddling up Sungai Pamah for the red-eyeds and then return to check the traps before calling it a day. I had laid the fish traps near some lilypads and weeds growing out of the shallow water not to far from the launch point. We then headed to Eagle Bay (named so after seeing a beautiful eagle hovering over the bay), stopping in between for shortrests and some casting.
Dropped my fish trap near some lily pads.
Again, my sonar registered a lot of fish and the fish were in small groups and swimming 5-15ft below the surface. So far, I have only caught tomans here at Empangan Batu. I have seen their red fries and stripy juveniles. The fish shown on the sonar couldn’t be tomans…adult tomans are solitary, usually hiding in some structures, while their juveniles, though in groups, usually rise up and play on the surface. The fish shown on the sonar don’t seem to behave like tomans. What fish are they? Could it be the sonar giving false information?
I have never been sure about the accuracy of the sonar. The only way to verify if the sonar is accurate is to install an underwater camera…but this is an expensive option.
Are the fish shown on the sonar for real?
A short distance away I could see a Pakcik in a small boat hauling up his net. I have seen the nets but I have never met the man until today. I decided to paddle towards him. As I got closer, I made a friendly hand gesture and called out “ada ikan?” (any fish?). He reciprocated with a smile and replied “ada tapi kecil” (yes, but they are small).I asked if there were other fish in the water and he said on better days he had brought up 2-3kg baungs, tilapias and kaluis.
I then asked if I could see them. He gestured to me to come closer to take a look. I could identify a few belidas, one soon hock or ketutu, a couple of tomans, and the rest were unknown to me. I quickly learned from him they were Mata Merah (red-eyed), Ikan Putih (white fish) and the third one…oops! sorry, my memory failed me.
As with most rural folks, he was quick to share his knowledge (of his trade) and trust outsiders. I felt humbled. Sorry folks, that much I can share.
I later bought some fish from him. I have asked for a few of each species so that I can take some pictures for this article. But he wouldn’t sell the belidas. He had wanted to save the belidas for his family as according to him they make very good fishball.
All these fish for RM10.
Mata Merah or Red-eyed
Ikan Putih or White Fish
Ketutu or Soon Hock or Marble Goby
Sorry, I forgot the name of this one.
The four species...plus Belida (featherback) and toman (snakehead) not in pic.
We arrived at Eagle Bay at around 10.30am for some toman action. We spotted at least two groups of toman fries on the eastside of the bay. Azlan and I were chasing after them…and were casting directly into the boils…but, no taker. There were quite a few big rises…again, no strike. By 12noon, it had gotten too hot and we decided to paddle up Sungai Pamah.
Eagle Bay...named so after watching a beautiful white & brown eagle flying overhead us.
Zawiyah and the kids have already gone up Sungai Pamah to take shelter from the midday afternoon heat. As we paddles along the river, we could hear the laughter of kids playing and the beautiful sound of river cascades. Mah and Irene joined us shortly.
Azlan and his kids, Nick and Isaac...taking a cool dip.
The Stonehenge of Empangan Batu.
Later Mah and I had decided to track upstream to try out his Tenkara rod. I had accidentally broke my Tenkera rod when it got caught in some branches while paddling. So, I could only watch. But, the red-eyeds were nowhere to be found. They were here just 10 days ago. Where have they gone? We tracked further up…still nothing. We could see tiny fishes and a few palm-sized ones but I was certain they were not the ones I spotted 10 days ago.
Where have they gone? Did they come upriver to spawn and then returned to the deep water of the lake? All I know, they have vanished from the river.
