Paul Arden | Monday, 28 September 2026
I’m quite wiped out! Training is going well but becoming rather all-consuming. What I really need to do now is swim much more. I might see if they will let me swim at the resort, so that I don’t have to worry all the time about having my toes nibbled off by a snakehead that I’ve previous caught… The Revenge of the Giant Snakehead!
I actually met someone who has a friend who was attacked by a Giant Snakehead while swimming. Which doesn’t exactly give me peace of mind — not with my superior imagination skills. Apparently she was bitten across the chest and it “was quite bad”. I can imagine.
Something I’ve realised, is that not only is competing in tropical climates more challenging, but the training is too! No surprises there of course, but I hadn’t thought about it too deeply until this week. But I did have the thought that if it’s 50% harder and I train 14 hrs then this is the equivalent of 21 hrs without the high temps and humidity.
6 weeks of training left and then a two week taper. Yes definitely time to swim more like a fish and less like a drowning rat!
We’ve had a bit of rain here recently and the lake has risen slightly. Maybe there will be babies around? I’m thinking of heading south and having a look later this week. It’s a bit of a mission to get down there. And about twice as expensive with the current petrol prices!
This week I have early morning and late evening lessons all week. As Autumn appears in the northern hemisphere, and the days get shorter, most of my coaching becomes after-dark lessons my end. At this time of year however, it can be both! It’s certainly very busy right now.
I wonder if there is some sort of anti- jungle wasp incense stick to avoid the dramatic in-coaching nightly wasp fights? If you know of such a thing then please let me know!
At the end of October the plan is a trip into Sungai Tiang with some government officials. Hopefully it’s not full-blown wet season by then! And hopefully this river will be busy next year. We’d love to see more Australian and European anglers fishing here.
I’m writing this on the indoor bike incidentally! Two fish with one cast, so to speak. Just a gentle recovery ride. Last night was my 5hr long weekly ride! Funny, in the past that used to completely wipe me out.
I’m very curious to see how the IM goes in November. It’s hard to imagine training more. Right, imaginary Box Hill coming up. I’d better knuckle down…
Over in Japan… Stuntman Ronan and Martyn are fishing together in Tokyo this week. Haha. I bet they are having a blast!! I’ve been getting regular updates of beer, flies and fish!
Incidentally if you are training your casting and looking for a challenge, then here is a casting challenge for you:
https://www.sexyloops.com/index.php/ps/the-essential-level-challenge
It’s sort of like CI level casting ability performance level but without the teaching requirement. Some casts are harder than CI. There are some casts that are not in CI. But it’s a fair swap. It’s probably time to create the Advanced Level.
I still haven’t made the videos I’ve promised. I’m really chasing my tail at the moment, with all the training I’m doing. It’s almost a part-time job! As Bruce Richards once said: “Paul thinks that if something is worth doing, then it’s worth doing to excess!” :))) Quite insightful from Bruce.
Incidentally if you have any questions or topics you would like me, or another FP writer, to discuss then please send them in. My contact is paul@sexyloops.com
There is a question on the Board about fly fishing opportunities in India. If anyone knows anything, then please email me.
Thanks!! And have a great week!
Cheers, Paul
POD I have a tree growing in the boat. I don’t know what species. But I came across a tiny seed blowing in the wind. It may be a Magic Beanstalk.