Khao Tao Lake

[Big Boy]

Having watched all of the building debris disposed of in the lake, I'd guess far too many snags for a fish to get caught on. However, don't forget, there is a virtual bridge that goes around 70% of the lake. That is where many locals fish for smaller fish. Also a refuge for the Monitor Lizards.

[PeteC]

If you hook one of those monitor lizards I guess the wise move is just to abandon all your gear as you'll never haul it in. If you did manage it, what would you do with it?!

[Big Boy]

Avoid its tail

Of course, there must be a chance - hook a small fish, small fish gives out distress signals and lizard thinks lunchtime. It used to happen all of the time when deep sea fishing. Fish gives out distress signals, shark thinks lunchtime.

I've never known anybody hook a Monitor though.

[STEVE G]

^Some of those monitors in that lake are huge. I was once cycling on the small road behind it when we had to stop to allow one to cross the path. I remember saying to my friend that it was the first time I'd had to stop cycling for a dinosaur!

[Big Boy]

Oh yes, although I haven't seen one of the really big ones for over a year now.

[caller]

We drove past the building in the lake yesterday and couldnt help but notice all the land that has been levelled next to it, and wondered if there was some connection. So my other half decided to make some enquiries. Don't ask me who she spoke with, but the building in the lake is going to be a museum. The flattened land next to it is not connected. Couldn't help but notice another development taking place lakeside on the way to sai noi beach.

[Big Boy]

Yes, I mentioned the land beside the lake a couple of weeks ago. I think that will most likely be a car park. If not, whatever the carbuncle is, there will be very limited parking. I also get the impression (at least I did when they first started) they will be putting a bridge from the car park to the walkway around the lake, offering proper wheelchair access.

There are 2 other developments taking place. One on the South Bank, which started about the same time as the carbuncle (and is where I always thought a museum was more likely). The signage says XXXXX Homes, but the buildings do not look like homes. There is an awful lot of glass in the walls, and if homes, a curtain company is going to make a killing. There is also quite a large children's playground that has been build lakeside there. This really looks more like a public/visitor type of place.

The 3rd development is on the West Bank. That development has been going on about a year, and started with demolition of a previous failed development, which was an extension to a hotel/resort type building that is still there. The new development is similar to a fairly large development across the road, which is houses. A very strange box shaped type development, but I presume you are buying the location, not the architecture. Having said that, in the time I've been a regular at the lake, they've built (are still building) a load of lakeside condos, but I'd estimate 90% have never sold. In fact the latest condo being built, adjacent to what I think is a car park, used to be my turning point (all fenced off now). You have to wonder who is is going to buy all of this development.

[Big Boy]

Whilst there today, I took a snap of the South shore development. You can see the kiddies playground, and if you look closely at the building in view, you will notice the massive 'shop front style' windows instead of traditional walls.

I also snapped the very square buildings being constructed along the West Bank.

[Big Boy]

I should have taken this photo yesterday, but my dog ran off, and I had to take chase. Did it today instead. This is the area I believe has been cleared for the car park. I think the pre-formed steel works confirm my car park theory. Their shape suggests (to me) that these will be laid flat on the surface and concrete poured on top.

[Big Boy]

Looks like a wise move to prevent parked cars from sliding into the lake. Driving in piles, which I presume are the start of a reinforcing wall between the lake and car park.

[Big Boy]

Are you allowed to fish in this lake BB? My son is back from uni for a month or so and wants to go fishing locally.

This fine specimen had been swimming 5 minutes before I got there today (Mrs BB's size 5 flip flop for perspective). I've never caught one, and have no idea of species. I've only seen a few caught, but they put up one hell of a fight. I've seen Thais walking around the lake with them, like a dog on a lead i.e. the fish taking them for a walk. They take forever to land - very powerful.

I must say, its the one fish that would tempt me to dip my rod in that lake.

[PeteC]

Geeze, to me that looks like an ocean fish. Is there any inlet from the sea? I ran it by the wife and she has no idea what the species is, but said the same thing that it looks ocean type.

[Nereus]

Maybe the following, or a close cousin:

Snubnose Garfish, Arrhamphus sclerolepis

Other Names: Jumping Halfbeak, No Bill Garfish, No-bill Garfish, Northern Snub-nosed Garfish, Short Bill Garfish, Short-beaked Garfish, Short-bill, Snubbie, Snub-nosed Garfish, South-east Snub-nosed Garfish

[Big Boy]

I've often thought the same. There is rumour that the lake contains both sea and freshwater fish, but I've always thought the rumours rubbish. There are 2 lock gates that for the dam that creates the lake. However, as far as I know, there is no way into the lake from the sea. Of course, the lock gates are only 100 yards from where the Bull Sharks are often spotted.

They look very much like one of the game fish you see being brought ashore by the fishing boats on the South Takiab beach, but I'm sure they have to be another species.

[Big Boy]

I did a search on Google Images, and it suggests Milkfish, and I tend to agree.

The cultures of milkfish in Thailand appear in the provinces that locate along the coastal area. The Thai Department of Fisheries has used the marketing promotion to encourage consumption of milkfish by announcing that milkfish was the symbol fish of Prachuap Khiri Khan province.

Maybe the rumours are not rubbish.