Story and pictures by LIZ PRICE
MAYBE this article ought to be called “Fishing with Tow Foo at Tow Foo”. In case you are confused, let me explain. Tow Foo is the name of the sportsfishing centre in Kundang, Selangor, which got its name from the fact that the fish here are fed with tofu.
Now that the confusion is cleared up, let me explain that Tow Foo is the first of its kind in many ways — it is the first sportsfishing centre in Malaysia, the first lure-pond, the first catch-and-release pond, the first fly-fishing pond, the first tag-and-release pond, the first circle hook pond, the first barbless hook pond, and also the first fish recovery station.
This may sound like double Dutch to non-anglers like myself, but any ardent fisherman would know exactly what it all means. Basically Tow Foo is the first sportsfishing centre for sporting anglers managed by sporting anglers. It is owned and managed by Wong Sing Poh, and Aziz Daud is his weekend partner. It is located behind the Kundang Lake Golf Resort, which is about 3km from Tasik Biru. The site covers an area of eight hectares.
Its main claim to fame is that it is a catch-and-release pond. This means that you don’t go there in order to catch your supper. You catch the fish, then release it back into the pond. However you don’t always go away empty-handed, as you are allowed to buy up to 2kg of fish caught from the main pond, like the catfish, Tilapia, Pacu or Lampan. You are discouraged from taking home more, and prices are high. Any excess is RM5 per kilo, or in the case of the Tapah, RM130 per kilogramme! So as you can see, conservation is the order of the day.
Catch and release is a new concept in Malaysia. But it is necessary for survival — the survival of the fish, and ultimately survival of the angler, as it ensures he will be able to continue his hobby. Fish, like any other animal, don’t pop up overnight and take years to grow and reproduce. Many types of fish in the sea are being caught in such large quantities that their very survival is threatened. Here at Tow Foo the fish are able to breed and grow to decent sizes.
There are all kinds of fish here and Toman is one of them.
Anglers are encouraged to use a landing net, and as soon as they have oohed and aahed, or perhaps commiserated over their catch, they release it quickly and gently. Then they can talk about “the one that got away”. I wonder if fish have brains, and if once they have been caught, they have enough sense not to get caught again, or will they be tempted by the offer of free bait again and again? Incidentally no live bait is used here.
Dr Mah, one of the ardent regulars, is doing some research on fish, and has written some articles on the subject. One of these can be read at the centre. It is pinned to the wall, along with all the newspaper and magazine articles that have been written on Tow Foo since it opened in December 1999.
Tow Foo is a fish-breeding centre. Therefore the fish are well looked after. They are fed on tow foo and soya beans, and this produces healthy, fleshy fish, without that muddy taste often found in fish you eat in restaurants. This also keeps the ponds clean, as the fish are not fed smelly dead animals!
There are four sportsfishing ponds and one commercial style pond. The Main Pond is open for all types of acceptable sportsfishing techniques. Anglers normally use just one rod and reel here.
There are 15 species of fish in this pond and, as mentioned earlier, the free take-home limit is 2kg. The fishing fee is a mere RM15 per person, per rod with no time limit. This fee also allows you to use the Lure and Patin ponds.
In the Lure pond you lure your fish using barbless hooks, catch and release. No artificial or dead baits are allowed here.
There are various species in the pond: Toman, Haruan, Pacu, Tapah, Patin, Tilapia and more. Whereas in the Patin pond, you have to buy what you catch.
There is also a Big Fish Pond for the serious fishermen. But before you get ideas about catching a big one to feed the whole family, this is strictly a catch-and-release pond.
For those that want to get away from the other anglers, or are feeling misanthropic, a boat can be hired at RM10 for three hours. You can then paddle away to the furthest reaches of the pond and fish in solitary splendour. However I would imagine it is easy to doze off whilst enjoying the peace and quiet, admiring the surrounding green and watching the birds going about their daily business.
All this fishing can be hungry work, but fear not — there is a kitchen. On weekends, Aziz rustles up a tasty selection of rice or noodle dishes, as well as burgers and sandwiches. Just tell him what you want from the menu and, hey presto, an appetising dish appears before your very eyes. He will even cook the fish you have caught, but for a fee.
The whole place is kept very clean. There are rubbish bins to ensure that no garbage goes into the ponds. This is one place where you won’t get an old boot or a tin can on the end of your fishing line.
There are various amusing signs scattered around. A classic one reads: “Work is for people who don’t know how to fish”. Another one, which caught my eye, was for the “complaints department”. This tells you to walk to the nearest tree, wait five minutes and then tell the tree your problems. This is a free service, and I am sure it works.
The whole centre is geared up with conservation in mind, as well as the protection of the environment. And it works. People willingly use the rubbish bins; there are no plastic bags or styrofoam boxes lying around. And maybe the most important thing — the toilet is clean! I mention this as it is a pleasure to find a clean public loo in Malaysia!
Obviously there is no guarantee that the fish will bite. This is an occupational hazard fishing anywhere in the world. There is an estimated 15 tons of fish in the Main Pond. If the fish are slow, just sit back and relax, enjoy the scenery, chat with friends, have a drink.
As it was my first time to the Centre, I wanted to explore the whole area, so I went off to see the goat farm and bullfrog farm, but that is another story. Incidentally the frogs are farmed to supply restaurants, not to feed the fish.
The Tow Foo Sportsfishing Centre is 30km north of Kuala Lumpur, adjacent to the Kundang Lake Golf Resort about 3km from Tasik Biru and 1 km from Kundang New Village.
For enquiries call 019 2283489, 019 2668446 or visit their website at http://www.fishing.net.my/ and follow the link to the Kundang Sport Fishing Centre
Originally published in The Star on Saturday, August 17, 2002
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More photos on Tow Foo fishing .
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