My husband had pre-booked a day’s fishing on line at the Gillhams Fishing resort on Krabi island as, as part of our holiday to Thailand we were to be staying in the Krabi Resort which is close by. (see separate review for Krabi Resort). I myself am not interested in fishing but decided to accompany him anyway (there is no charge for visitors who do not fish). Stuart, who owns the resort built it from scratch six years ago and it really is a beautiful place. A lot of hard work and thought has gone into the design of the place and although we didn’t see inside the bungalows where you sleep if you book to stay at the resort, they looked very spacious and were set amid beautifully manicured lawns and exotic plants, shrubs and trees. The place is very tranquil and the lake is absolutely huge with “swims “ featured all along each side. There is also a swimming pool which although not huge was more than adequate and spotlessly clean. The restaurant and bar area is open sided with cooling fans in the ceiling. The menu is very extensive and both the lunch and dinner we had there were absolutely delicious. You can have liver and bacon with mash (which my husband did), a variety of burgers, steak & kidney pie or pudding just to mention a few. There is also a selection of Thai and Indian dishes, I tried the yellow noodles with prawns which was to die for. I also saw several full English breakfasts being served, which again looked absolutely yummy ad all freshly cooked to order.
Stuart’s wife collected us from our hotel at around 7.15 and we made the short 15 minute journey to the resort. Two rods were already set up for Jerry (my husband) and a huge bucket of ground bait and a pot of dead bait was provided at his “swim”. There are small structures at each “swim” providing shelter from the sun. Once all the ground bait was used, another bowl was provided and the same with the dead bait (this is included in the price). Personal rods are not allowed. Apparently they have several world record fish in the lake and the photos adorning the walls of the restaurant go some way to proving this. I am no expert on fish but an Arapaima in one of the pictures looked like the Loch Ness Monster and indeed took three men to hold it.
Stuart, his son Sean and Scott (better known as Bruce !!) took very good care of us all day long, one or other of them were constantly checking to see everything was alright and asking whether we needed drinks, food or bait or just any general help. At the time we were there, they were full up and every swim was taken. I had a dip in the pool in the afternoon which was lovely and very refreshing and Stuart even offered me his own bungalow to change in as we were not staying at the resort.
Jerry was getting a bit despondent by around 6pm as he had not caught anything and as it was getting dark, I decided to sit in the restaurant where I could read. Stuart had told Jerry he could fish until 8pm if he wished (he didn’t need asking twice). Finally at around 7.45 Sean came tearing through the restaurant headed for Jerry’s swim saying “he’s got a fish, he’s got a fish”, my book got flung aside as I followed in hot pursuit with the camera. After what seemed like an age the fish was landed, a beautiful Siamese Carp (pics attached). Not, by far, one of the biggest in the lake, indeed as Sean/Scott said – “ a tiddler” but nevertheless Jerry was an extremely happy bunny. I have to say the fish are treated with kid gloves, so to speak, they are never kept out of the water for too long and everything possible is done to prevent causing unnecessary distress to them. I wish Jerry had caught one of the monster Arapaima and I know Stuart, Sean and Scott were all hoping the same, as well as Jerry but it was not to be, and a Siamese Carp is better than nothing. After a lovely dinner with coffee and brandies to follow, Sean drove us back to our hotel.
I am sure if we return to Thailand we will definitely go back to Gillhams and I would recommend anyone who is interested in fishing to check out the website www.gillhamsfishingresorts.com
and if going to Thailand be sure to book a day’s fishing. I have attached several pictures but in all honesty they really do not do the place justice.
I would be pleased to answer any questions but anything technical to do with fish I will have to pass to Jerry !