EthnoJourneys Toman Fishing - Freshwater Lake Fishing

Freshwater lake fishing is a highlight for some of our EthnoJourneys' clients as they try to catch the hard hitting Toman fish that is found in this part of Asia. A typical day for Toman fishing begins by arriving at the lake and meeting our Malaysian fishing guides. We help our clients communicate by serving as interpreters. The lakes are nestled in the middle of the Malaysian forest. Some of the lakes will have a few Orang Asli (The original people of Malaysia) homes scattered along the banks.

After meeting the guides, the clients are off to fish in the little fiberglass boats with 15 horsepower engine outboards. Most boats can only hold up to 3 people, but some can hold 4.

During the day our EthnoJourneys' clients will take breaks from fishing and will eat lunch in a traditional fishing hut along the shore of the lake. This is a great time for them to talk with the Malay fishermen and get to understand more about the local culture as well as explain about their international culture.

The day is not all about relaxing and seeing a beautiful lake, but also about fighting with and catching the big local Toman. Those who have caught the fish say that this fish is one of the hardest fighting fish they have landed.

Catching Tomans brings great joy to our EthnoJourneys’ clients but the friendship they make with the Malaysian boat guides and their ability to learn about Malay cultures is the greatest catch of the day.


When our EthnoJourneys’ clients leave they have truly experienced a great cultural exchange and adventure.

Check out the YouTube videos on Toman Fishing on this blog.

EthnoJourneys- Fishing Clients 4 Kilo Plus Hall of Fame Club

Jerry from Tennessee

Rick from South Carolina and Jack still wanting to make the club.
Haven from Tennessee with help from a Malay Chinese Friend

Jess from Alabama



Vance from Oklahoma

Yusuf from Malaysia - Too good of a fish not to place him in our Hall of Fame

Marc from Florida

Saltwater Pond Fishing

Saltwater pond fishing in Malaysia can be a fun experience. There are many fish farms in Malaysia where they grow and harvest fish. Several of the fish farmers will allow you to fish one or two of their ponds. The cost to fish these ponds vary but the general cost is around 8-10 dollars American. Many of the EthnoJourneys' clients like fishing at these ponds to able to catch some unique species of fish found in Malaysia.

The ponds also provide unique opportunities to meet local Malay people and make new friends. The ponds also allow people to try all different types of fishing techniques to catch fish. Some people use soft plastic flies or lures, while other people prefer to fly fish for the different species of fish.

All types of people come to these ponds. Highly educated business professionals from Singapore and other big cites throughout Asia as well as the average local Malay recreational fishermen.


Fishing in these ponds also allows a person to try to catch the biggest fish among different local species.

Ocean Fishing

This ocean excursion began early one morning. We arrived at the docks with our fishing gear and found our Malay fishing guide who directed us to proceed to his local blue boat.

One of the hardest parts of the fishing adventure is actually getting into the boat. We passed all our gear down to the Malay fishing guide and then proceeded ourselves to slide down the pole into the boat.

We went out to sea through an old river channel but had to wait a few minutes until the tide came in before continuing on our fishing adventure.

Once the tide came in we proceeded to an artificial reef. The locals had dropped long Bamboo poles anchored with cement into strategic sites in the ocean. The Malay fishing guide tied our boat off to one of the bamboo poles.

There at the man made reef, we casted for Mackerel and bottom fished for Grouper and Snapper.

The boat returned to the dock based on the rising and falling of the ocean tide.

Fishing in General

In Malaysia there are various types of fishing venues. Malaysia offers freshwater river, lake and pond fishing as well as ocean and saltwater pond fishing.

Lake
Ocean

Salt Water Pond

EthnoJourneys Cultural Golf Tournament November 2008

The goal of an EthnoJourneys Tournament is to bring people together and to build friendships. A typical EthnoJourneys Tournament joins people from America and Europe with people from the local hostculture. The participants gather together at the Golf course and are paired up with their golfing partner. EthnoJourneys Tournaments are normally played in a scramble format which allows people from all skill levels to participate.

The teams of local people and their international partners work together to shoot the lowest score they can. As they are playing they get to talk about golf and each other’s home cultures.

By the end of the round new friendships are made.

In each EthnoJourneys Tournament there is a time for a cultural meal and trophy presentation. The American clients in the picture above sampled local dishes including Beef Rendang (beef cooked in rich coconut milk) and Fish Head Curry. They also were able to sample local fruits and a special chili paste. After a great meal where players can talk about their golf experience and ask interesting questions about the food they are eating each team is honored with the presentation of a trophy. The best trophy that is given out during these tournaments are not the ones made of wood, or metal but the long lasting friendships that are made.