Mandai Pond Waterfall All White Out

Mandai Pond Waterfall White With Force

After the afternoon showers, water was running everywhere, including the Mandai Pond Waterfall. The overflow on the road was also running at high speed. Could sweep away anyone who put their legs into the rushing water. A beautiful sight indeed.

But Uncle Chui has other things on his mind. He had tied a good number of shrimp flies and can’t wait to get them tested. He was setting up his fly rod as he made his way to the fishing spot we had chosen before hand. Even Tan couldn’t catch up with him and was left behind.

When I reached the spot after my usual dilly dally walk with my camera in my hand. Uncle Chui was already tying his new fly and ready for action. After two casts, he landed his first fish. A beautiful Red Tilapia. More Red Tilapias followed. Tan also caught his fair share of Red Tilapias after I gave him an Uncle Chui shrimp fly.

We made our way to the smaller ponds, but the water was too muddy to catch anything. After a few more tries at some Haruans, we made our way home. Uncle was already asking when we should return to try again.


Tan and Uncle Chui enjoying themselves with the Red Tilapias.

After the afternoon showers, water was running everywhere. The canal next to the entrance to Mandai Pond. The over flow on the road. Just look at the force of the water current. Dangerous to cross this crossing on foot. Full force. Uncle Chui can't wait to get his newly tied flies to the red tilapias. He was rigging his fly rod as he walked towards the fishing spot.
The waterfall is all white with running water.

White waterfall. Over flow from the big pond
Looking from the top of the waterfall Rushing water from the water fall Overflow Tan rigging his fly rod as Uncle Chui is tying on his fly Uncle Chui still tying on his fly
First fish fell to Uncle Chui's newly tied shrimp fly Two colours. Red and Orange. My turn to get one. With a yellow shrimp from Uncle Chui. Uncle Chui got another red tilapia
A full coloured red fish Tan also get his red tilapia Look at the super red colour of this fish Catch and released. Okay Catch and throw. No lah. He just caught another Red Tilapia. Tan got another red tilapia. I get a common tilapia My Gold Coloured Teton reel. Closer look at the reel. The source of the water for the main pond Fed from this pond. Water from the top of the hill. Another beautiful specimen.

All Quiet At The River

All Is Quiet At The New Zealand River

Today, I was earlier than the usual time. Took out my camera and decided to shoot in the darkness to see how the picture will turn out. I was aiming at the Upper Peirce Reservoir gates and the moment I pressed the shoot button, a car came out of the drive way. Two sweet old ladies were in it. They stopped and asked me if I needed any help.

Uncle Wong and Ady to turned up and we set our way towards the river. Jimmy was already there with his friend.

As usual, Uncle got his fish first even though the rest of us were not getting any luck. Tried as I did, I couldn’t manage to get even a hook up. There were some splashing a distance away near the mouth of the bay. Saw the resident monitor lizards cross the river. A black shadowy fish swam across Uncle Wong. Could be a toman or a huge arowana.

I proceeded towards banks near the rapids to try my luck. There a very co-operative wee peacock bass obliged me for my hard work. Ady was also rewarded with a palm size peacock bass. Times up. We left the place for our usual kopi-O stall.

Sembawang Hill Food Centre.


Uncle Wong is the Champ here in this River.

Just took a picture while waiting for Uncle Wong to arrive. The car just turned out of Upper Peirce as I press the shoot button and there were two old ladies inside. They stopped by and asked if there was anything I need. Sweet old ladies. Ady getting ready As usual Wong got his fish first Sun was just rising over the horizon. I was expecting the usual peacock bass feeding frenzy. No............................ they didn't turn up to party. Jimmy also caught a peacock bass and is seen taking pictures of it. I can only stand and admire and take pictures of him shooting the peacock bass. Jimmy releasing the peacock bass. Uncle Wong casting again. Finally. Before we were about to call it a day, this wee little fellow obliged me. Jas Gordon Cave Bamboo Rod Closer look at the fly. Jimmy and his friend. Ady also had another catch before we left the place. As usual, we meet up at this place to tell our fishermen's lies. This hawker's assistant was starring at me. He was thinking I was mad. Hawker stall also take picture. This is the noodle stall which is one of our favourite. The dry noodle is delicious. When the noodles arrived, I showed Uncle Wong the ter-kwa. (Pig Liver) Never mind, next time I'll bring a CCTV. (Singapore joke) Muahahahahahahaha

Secrets of Mandai Pond Revealed

Secrets of Mandai Pond Revealed

Went hiking again at Mandai Forest. Uncle Chui came along to recce the ponds too. He missed a few fishes and blanked.

I went trekking further uphill towards a smaller pond. The smaller pond was teeming with red tilapias. Also saw some action on the surface which looked like Haruan juveniles. Full of weeds too.

I brought my Jas Gordon Cave Bamboo Rod and paired it with the Classic Teastick Reel with a Scientific Angler GPX #3 weight flyline. Used some of the flies I had tied or weaved recently. The tilapias were really hungry today. I caught so many of them that I lost count. At one point, I was trying not to catch the smaller ones by stripping the line away from them. Missed a few of the really bigger red tilapias.

There was a pair of Haruans gathering their 6 inch juveniles nearby. They were hiding near the weeded area and I was not able to reach them. Maybe next time.

Red Tilapia. A hybrid of the Common Tilapia (Oreochromis Mossambicus), Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis Niloticus) and Blue Tilapia or Israeli Tilapia (Oreochromis Aureus).
(Ben told me this is a Red Devil, a relative of the parrot fish.)

Uncle Chui surveying the water for a suitable dry fly to use. I went hiking to explore the smaller ponds and to climb the hills.


Smaller pond next to the big pond. Teeming with red tilapias.


Croc warnings everywhere. Made me real scared not to venture to near the waters.


Wild fighting fish inhabit these weeds.


A much smaller pond





Green bamboo for bamboo rod building. Uncle Wong and Kuan would like this place.


Bamboo everywhere.


Bamboo




Hill top.


Crocodiles












My mono weaved shrimp fly.


Again the tilapia hit the shrimp fly with full force.














Jas Gordon Cave Bamboo Rod. A beautiful #3 weight paired with the Classic Teastick Reel.






A humming bird tried to attack its reflection on the mirror.