things to do · trout fishing
trout fishing in the tirthan
the tirthan river, a short drive from jibhi, is one of the best trout streams in himachal. brown and rainbow trout were introduced here generations ago and the cold, fast water suits them. it's mostly catch-and-release, and standing thigh-deep in a himalayan river for a couple of hours is its own kind of slow.
you need a fishing permit (cheap, issued by the state fisheries department), a rod, and ideally someone who knows the pools. the gushaini stretch of the tirthan is the usual spot. most homestays in the area can sort the permit, the gear and a local guide in a phone call.
even if you don't catch anything (and plenty of days you won't), it's a good excuse to spend a morning by the water. some riverside places will cook what you keep, where the rules allow it.
where
the tirthan river, mainly around gushaini, 20 to 30 minutes from jibhi. the river runs alongside the road to the great himalayan national park.
permit + gear
a fisheries-department permit is required and inexpensive. rods and a guide are easiest arranged through your homestay rather than brought from home.
season
roughly march to june and september to october. fishing closes during the monsoon spawning months, so check current dates locally before you plan around it.
a tip
go early, wear shoes you can wade in, and treat it as catch-and-release unless you've confirmed otherwise. the point is the morning, not the haul.
make it a tirthan day
fishing pairs naturally with a walk in the great himalayan national park, they're on the same river. or just find a riverside cafe and do nothing at all.