0:00:03 > 0:00:06The world's wildest rivers,
0:00:06 > 0:00:08oceans and lakes.
0:00:11 > 0:00:13A home to some extraordinary fish.
0:00:15 > 0:00:18Eight anglers embark on a global adventure...
0:00:18 > 0:00:21I have no idea what I'm going to be up against.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24..in which they'll endure snow,
0:00:24 > 0:00:26storms and sweltering heat...
0:00:28 > 0:00:32..which will test everything they think they know about fishing.
0:00:32 > 0:00:34Is that the clutch and the accelerator? I'm not quite sure.
0:00:34 > 0:00:36On all kinds of water,
0:00:36 > 0:00:40they'll brave some of the toughest places to fish on earth...
0:00:40 > 0:00:43It's days like this that make you realise the true love of fishing!
0:00:44 > 0:00:46..hoping to reach the next leg of the expedition.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49Oh...!
0:00:49 > 0:00:51I think my 100% record is going to disappear today.
0:00:51 > 0:00:55They'll be watched by international expert Matt Hayes
0:00:55 > 0:00:58and some of the best fishermen from around the world,
0:00:58 > 0:01:01who will judge who stays on to the next location.
0:01:01 > 0:01:03All you've got to do is keep persevering.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05Last time...
0:01:05 > 0:01:09# Oh, what a beautiful morning... #
0:01:09 > 0:01:13..the anglers went in search of some of the fastest fish in the world,
0:01:13 > 0:01:15stalking the ghosts of the salt flats...
0:01:15 > 0:01:19Probably the hardest-fighting fish I've ever felt in my life.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22..and pitting their strength against the mighty tarpon.
0:01:22 > 0:01:24I am so scared.
0:01:24 > 0:01:26Oh...!
0:01:26 > 0:01:27That has made my day.
0:01:27 > 0:01:31Ripon and Phil were both in danger of being cast out.
0:01:31 > 0:01:33Man alive!
0:01:34 > 0:01:36Oh, gone again!
0:01:36 > 0:01:39But Phil became the second angler to leave the expedition.
0:01:39 > 0:01:41No worries.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44This time, it's their most brutal adventure yet...
0:01:44 > 0:01:46The heat is an absolute killer.
0:01:46 > 0:01:48Oh, I feel faint.
0:01:48 > 0:01:52..as the remaining six brave the ferocious currents...
0:01:52 > 0:01:54This is really dangerous. It's like a washing machine!
0:01:54 > 0:01:56..in Southeast Asia.
0:01:56 > 0:01:57Oh, I'm in!
0:02:10 > 0:02:14A remote wilderness between Vietnam and Thailand...
0:02:14 > 0:02:15Laos.
0:02:17 > 0:02:19The only landlocked country in south-east Asia,
0:02:19 > 0:02:22made up of mountains,
0:02:22 > 0:02:25forest and the Mekong River...
0:02:28 > 0:02:32..which provides an essential lifeline for transportation,
0:02:32 > 0:02:35irrigation and fishing.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39Life here depends on it.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45I think some of the anglers will be completely out of their depth,
0:02:45 > 0:02:48because this is not a sport fishing destination.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50It's uncharted with rod and line.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53There's a lot of local fishing.
0:02:53 > 0:02:58What we don't know is how effective our Western rod and line techniques
0:02:58 > 0:02:59are going to be.
0:02:59 > 0:03:01Fishing here is a way of life.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05And no-one knows that better than Matt's co-judge,
0:03:05 > 0:03:08headman of Baan Hangkon fishing village, Mr Mai.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19Finally got to Laos.
0:03:19 > 0:03:21It's been a good couple of days of travelling.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24I mean, it's just spectacular. Unbelievable.
0:03:26 > 0:03:27ENGINE DIES
0:03:27 > 0:03:29- ALL:- Oh...!
0:03:31 > 0:03:33- Here you are, guys.- OK!
0:03:36 > 0:03:37OK!
0:03:37 > 0:03:39ENGINE FIRES INTO LIFE
0:03:39 > 0:03:40- Yay!- I love it.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43This is the hottest time of the year in Laos.
0:03:43 > 0:03:48Winds from the Indian Ocean are due to bring heavy rainfall any day,
0:03:48 > 0:03:50bringing relief from the blistering heat.
0:03:51 > 0:03:53- There you go. Check that out. - Wow!
0:03:53 > 0:03:57This is just the most incredible place I think I've ever been.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00We've got this amazing sun and it's hot.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04Really drippy hot.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08The rainy season means the river water will rise,
0:04:08 > 0:04:10triggering an enormous migration of fish.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13I'm absolutely buzzing. I can't wait.
0:04:13 > 0:04:15I think we're going to catch some interesting fish.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17But as the anglers arrive in Laos,
0:04:17 > 0:04:20the much-needed rains have not.
0:04:25 > 0:04:26Here we go...
0:04:28 > 0:04:31Welcome to mighty Mekong River.
0:04:31 > 0:04:35This is one of the richest fishing cultures in the world.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37As you've gathered, it's quite hot here.
0:04:38 > 0:04:42It's actually only 34 degrees, but it's 80% humidity.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44This week's all about discovery.
0:04:44 > 0:04:49Joining Matt we have our local expert Mr Mai.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00There are a lot of fish here but, to catch them,
0:05:00 > 0:05:03you're going to be using some special equipment.
0:05:03 > 0:05:05Local equipment.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08And I'm talking here about bamboo poles.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11Now, they come in different lengths and thicknesses,
0:05:11 > 0:05:13so you're going to have to make decisions
0:05:13 > 0:05:17about which pole suits your fishing style the best
0:05:17 > 0:05:19and, also, the water that you're fishing in.
0:05:19 > 0:05:24The angler who catches the most species of fish is the winner.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26You all have three hours.
0:05:26 > 0:05:27Go fish!
0:05:27 > 0:05:30- Fantastic. Thank you.- This could be quite good fun, I reckon.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32It's mental out here today.
0:05:36 > 0:05:40This part of southern Laos is known as the 4,000 islands.
0:05:42 > 0:05:44The Khone Falls are the widest rapids in the world,
0:05:44 > 0:05:47forming one of the most productive
0:05:47 > 0:05:50but intimidating rivers on the planet.
0:05:51 > 0:05:52Let's see what the bait is, shall we?
0:05:52 > 0:05:54Oh, that smells nice!
0:05:54 > 0:05:55Oh, that's stinky!
0:05:56 > 0:06:00- Liver, beetles... - So three different lengths of rod.
0:06:00 > 0:06:01As well as bamboo poles,
0:06:01 > 0:06:05the anglers have different sizes of weights,
0:06:05 > 0:06:07hooks, lines
0:06:07 > 0:06:09and floats to choose from.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11Yeah, it's pretty old school. I quite like it.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13I'm looking forward to it, actually.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16Essentially, it's a bamboo pole and a piece of line.
0:06:16 > 0:06:20So, how different is each of their set-ups likely to look?
0:06:20 > 0:06:23There are so many small intricacies
0:06:23 > 0:06:26in how they can use their equipment with these poles.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28Don't forget, the longer the pole they try and handle,
0:06:28 > 0:06:30the heavier it's going to be.
0:06:30 > 0:06:34They also need to think about the length of line
0:06:34 > 0:06:37from the tip of the pole to whatever they're tying on the end.
0:06:37 > 0:06:41Bait fishing uses a piece of food to attract the fish.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44A weight takes the bait to the right depth.
0:06:44 > 0:06:48And sometimes, a float is added to indicate a bite.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51In a strong current, a heavy weight must be used
0:06:51 > 0:06:56and the line cast well upstream, so the bait hits the desired spot,
0:06:56 > 0:06:58once it's been carried to the bottom.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00You see, it's really about the anglers drawing
0:07:00 > 0:07:04on their pure fishing experiences and pure fishing skills.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06This is the stuff that fishermen are made of, really.
0:07:10 > 0:07:12I'm setting up two rods here.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15I've got a slightly finer one with a float on,
0:07:15 > 0:07:18so I can fish at various different depths in the slower water.
0:07:18 > 0:07:20And I'm also setting up one to get a bait down nice and deep
0:07:20 > 0:07:22and hold in the current, if needs be.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27I'm going to go and see what I can do here with these bad boys.
0:07:37 > 0:07:38Good luck.
0:07:38 > 0:07:40- Tight lines.- Tight lines.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42Good luck, Jo. Go carefully on those rocks.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47What kind of fish live in the Mekong around here?
0:07:54 > 0:07:56How do you think they're going to get on here?
0:07:56 > 0:07:57You've seen the rapids out there
0:07:57 > 0:08:00and the conflicting currents that the river creates.
0:08:00 > 0:08:01Your ability to read the water
0:08:01 > 0:08:04and imagine what's happening underneath
0:08:04 > 0:08:07is absolutely key to being a good river fisherman.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10This is going to be a huge mental challenge.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14I'm not sure if this is going to work particularly well
0:08:14 > 0:08:16with the current being quite as strong as it is here.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21In this voyage of discovery,
0:08:21 > 0:08:23the anglers will have to constantly change their tackle
0:08:23 > 0:08:26to discover what works for the different fish,
0:08:26 > 0:08:29as well as read the current to find where the fish are.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34This looks like a really good spot. There's a bit of a back eddy.
0:08:34 > 0:08:38The rig I've got, just plain and simple line all the way through,
0:08:38 > 0:08:40with a split shot.
0:08:40 > 0:08:42And all that does is it holds the lead.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44If I need to move it, I just move the split shot out.
0:08:44 > 0:08:45It stops the weight touching the bait.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48It's the simplest of rigs you can use, but the locals here,
0:08:48 > 0:08:50you know, they're not going to use anything fancy.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53So I'll use just exactly what the locals use.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56So you just chuck that into the water.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59And, hopefully, let the water do its business with that.
0:08:59 > 0:09:01Why did you pick this specific spot here?
0:09:01 > 0:09:03Well, there's a little inlet here. It's quite quick out there.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05So I'm just going on the off chance
0:09:05 > 0:09:07there might be a few fish just milling about.
0:09:07 > 0:09:08It strikes me today,
0:09:08 > 0:09:11this is about as basic a fishing as you're going to get.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14You speak to anyone, I guarantee you, when they were a kid,
0:09:14 > 0:09:16they started with this method.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19You know, so it's basically back to being a kid again.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23This might be fishing in its most primal form,
0:09:23 > 0:09:26but Dan is used to traditional techniques.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29Coracle fishing is an old traditional way of fishing.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31I can trace my family back 200 years.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34Coracles were mentioned back in the times of Julius Caesar,
0:09:34 > 0:09:36or a very similar craft.
0:09:36 > 0:09:41So, if we go somewhere where there is a traditional way of fishing,
0:09:41 > 0:09:44and I am hoping that I will understand that a little bit better
0:09:44 > 0:09:46than the other competitors will understand.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55We're using a little bit of a cocktail.
0:09:55 > 0:09:57So are these grasshoppers or crickets?
0:09:57 > 0:09:59And a bit of meat.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02The Mekong is home to several species of catfish.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06These fish feed at the bottom of the murky river and,
0:10:06 > 0:10:10with very poor eyesight, rely heavily on scent.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13So the way the anglers use their bait is crucial.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16I'm using a piece of heart, which is probably quite an attractive bait
0:10:16 > 0:10:18to many of the catfish species.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20It's the scent that attracts the fish.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23At the moment, seeing it's somewhere totally alien to us,
0:10:23 > 0:10:25somewhere where you've never fished before,
0:10:25 > 0:10:28you've got to try and ring the changes to see what's going to work on the day.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34- Oh, Ripon! - Oh, Rip, is that your bait?
0:10:36 > 0:10:38Watch out, there's a few crickets on its way to you.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42Thank you, mate.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44- Have you got them all? - Yeah, cheers, bud.
0:10:46 > 0:10:51Back in the UK, Ripon is used to offering his local fish a free meal.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54I almost feel like I have to take care of them, in a way.
0:10:54 > 0:10:56Because, even out of season,
0:10:56 > 0:10:58I still go there and I like to give them a bit of dinner.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01Even though I know I'm not going to catch them,
0:11:01 > 0:11:03I like to see they're doing OK.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07I've decided not to take position on the rocks.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09I've decided to come here,
0:11:09 > 0:11:11because it just looks a hell of a lot more fish here.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13There's fish here.
0:11:13 > 0:11:15Oh, I've got a bite...
0:11:15 > 0:11:16Yeah.
0:11:23 > 0:11:24Oh!
0:11:28 > 0:11:30Er, I lost it, basically.
0:11:30 > 0:11:31It slipped out of me hands.
0:11:39 > 0:11:44An hour into the fishing time and only Ripon has had a bite.
0:11:44 > 0:11:46The heat is an absolute killer.
0:11:47 > 0:11:51The weather is taking its toll on both the fish and the fishermen.
0:11:51 > 0:11:55Just the heat and the rocks. It's not the easiest place to walk.
0:11:55 > 0:11:56It's so tiring.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59It is definitely as hot as it looks.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01I'm not going to lie. It's brutal. But, hey...
0:12:01 > 0:12:03If we're going to win this competition,
0:12:03 > 0:12:05we've got to take it all on the chin, don't we?
0:12:05 > 0:12:07So, Mr Mai, you've been watching all of our anglers.
0:12:07 > 0:12:09What have you noticed so far?
0:12:30 > 0:12:34I think it's too fast here to float, so I'm using a bottom one.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37This time, I've gone for a bit of distance.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40All I've done is I've put another hook on to double my chances.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43So I'm using a small one for the smaller fish
0:12:43 > 0:12:47and a mid-size one for the sort of, like, bigger fish.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49There's a fish there.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51All you're waiting for is a little bite.
0:12:51 > 0:12:53You'll actually feel it. The rods are quite sensitive.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55Oh!
0:12:55 > 0:12:57That definitely felt like a bite.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05This is pretty extreme weather to be fishing in, isn't it?
0:13:05 > 0:13:09Yeah, everyone is really struggling to catch. It's so bright and sunny.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12The fish are getting spooked away from the poles.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15So they need to use a longer line so that it doesn't scare the fish.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17But there's a limit to what you can do.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19So they've really met their match in that respect.
0:13:19 > 0:13:21To avoid casting a shadow in the shallow water,
0:13:21 > 0:13:24Dan has abandoned his pole altogether.
0:13:25 > 0:13:29I'm holding on to the line because I get better feeling through the line
0:13:29 > 0:13:30of what's going on at the bottom
0:13:30 > 0:13:33than I would from just holding on to that.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37I've got a fish!
0:13:39 > 0:13:40It's a catfish, I think.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42My 100% record is still intact.
0:13:42 > 0:13:44I've caught a fish in every challenge.
0:13:44 > 0:13:46I'm glad someone's caught something.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48It means we'll catch something else today.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51I've caught the bottom!
0:13:52 > 0:13:56Emma is also using a hand line to see how far out she can get her bait.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00- Not very far. - Emma, are you mumbling to yourself?
0:14:00 > 0:14:03- I always mumble to myself, I'm afraid.- Have you had any bites yet?
0:14:03 > 0:14:04- No.- Nothing?
0:14:04 > 0:14:08I think the only way I got lucky in the last two rounds
0:14:08 > 0:14:11was because there were lovely fly-fishing tasks.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14You know, the rest of the guys are way more experienced
0:14:14 > 0:14:17in a sort of wider variety of fishing than me.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22- Is that a bite?- I don't know.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24Lovely. Really good.
0:14:24 > 0:14:26Emma is far more at home with a fly rod
0:14:26 > 0:14:29and shares that passion with her sons Jake and Harry.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33My children think me absolutely mad as a brush.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35But here I am, 53,
0:14:35 > 0:14:39and I never thought I'd get a chance to do something quite as daft
0:14:39 > 0:14:42as having a fishing adventure in some unknown place.
0:14:42 > 0:14:46I will do my utmost to win it
0:14:46 > 0:14:50and I can feel the boys cheering me on.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52She is surprisingly good.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54Erm, she is very good.
0:14:54 > 0:14:58Mum going fishing around the world, it's just something else.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01I mean, I am very proud of her. Very proud of her.
0:15:01 > 0:15:02Yeah, absolutely!
0:15:08 > 0:15:11The bigger species of fish can withstand the stronger currents
0:15:11 > 0:15:14but, without the rains, few big fish have arrived.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16So Sam has a different tactic.
0:15:16 > 0:15:18It's desperate measures now.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20I've tied on the smallest hook on the lightest line.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22A tiny, thin sliver of steak.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24There's some tiny, little fish on the edge here.
0:15:24 > 0:15:25It's a species challenge.
0:15:25 > 0:15:27If I can notch up a couple of species, I'll be glad.
0:15:27 > 0:15:29Moving away from the fierce current
0:15:29 > 0:15:33allows Sam to put some of his experience from home into practice.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35What I'm doing is putting the float into the water.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38The bait's suspended beneath it. And you let it run with the current.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40And that's known as trotting the stream.
0:15:40 > 0:15:42But I've only got a limited amount of line
0:15:42 > 0:15:43fixed to the end of the pole.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45So I can only trot it so far.
0:15:46 > 0:15:48That was a bite there.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50Dan is now using a 20-pound line
0:15:50 > 0:15:54to target some of the mightier species of the Mekong catfish.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56We've got a fish!
0:15:56 > 0:15:58It's a little bit bigger than the last one.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00That's two fish for the day.
0:16:00 > 0:16:01Fish, fish, fish, fish, fish...
0:16:01 > 0:16:03There we go.
0:16:03 > 0:16:04OK, so, my little tactic worked.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06I'm actually off the mark.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08A tiny, little fish. But it's a species.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11Obviously, that fish instinct that I've got is working well again.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15But Jo, Emma and James...
0:16:15 > 0:16:17Oh, dammit!
0:16:17 > 0:16:19..are not fairing so well.
0:16:19 > 0:16:21It's taken my bait.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23I had two bits of bait on.
0:16:23 > 0:16:25Now I've just got a hook.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33Halfway through the day's fishing
0:16:33 > 0:16:37and the remote location, basic equipment and searing heat
0:16:37 > 0:16:41are making this the most difficult leg of the expedition yet.
0:16:42 > 0:16:44Oh, jeez. I'm absolutely wilting.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48Oh, jeez. I feel faint.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53You forget about the heat when you're fishing.
0:16:53 > 0:16:54And you get dehydrated.
0:16:54 > 0:16:58If you're dehydrated, you make the wrong decisions and you're not thinking straight.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01And it finally becomes too much for Emma.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03Just go slowly. How is it?
0:17:03 > 0:17:04Are you feeling light-headed?
0:17:04 > 0:17:06No, feeling absolutely fantastic!
0:17:06 > 0:17:08- OK, stay on your feet.- I am so...
0:17:08 > 0:17:09No, no...
0:17:09 > 0:17:11I am such a...
0:17:11 > 0:17:13God, I'm so sorry.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15Please, stop saying you're sorry.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20So poor Emma, she is with our medic Paddy now.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23The weather has taken such a toll on everyone and on the fishing, really.
0:17:23 > 0:17:27They tried some good things, but it's a really savagely hot day.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30And, to be honest, I think we should call it off.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33So how will that affect your judging, though?
0:17:33 > 0:17:36You will have seen about an hour and a half of fishing from each of them.
0:17:36 > 0:17:38- That's not a tremendous amount of time, is it?- No, no. It's not.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41But I have been able to observe the rigs that they've set up.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44How they've approached the water. How they handled the pole.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47Those who kind of erred on the side of caution
0:17:47 > 0:17:48and went for small fish.
0:17:48 > 0:17:49Other people took a gamble,
0:17:49 > 0:17:51used heavier line and went for bigger fish.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54So I'm not completely bereft of information.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02OK, anglers, the judges are calling an end early.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04Come and get some shade!
0:18:07 > 0:18:09- Tough one today, huh?- I thought you would have melted by now.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11It's been a really difficult day for everybody.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14The heat's been almost unbearable at times.
0:18:14 > 0:18:16We'll have to see what happens when we go to judging.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18- Nothing.- Nothing?
0:18:18 > 0:18:20- Nothing.- How's Emma?
0:18:20 > 0:18:23- Erm, OK.- Is she all right? She was in a bad way.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25- She seems a bit better.- Hey, Rip.
0:18:25 > 0:18:27Hey, man. How you getting on?
0:18:36 > 0:18:39Guys, probably not the first day's fishing experience
0:18:39 > 0:18:41you were expecting today.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44I'm sorry that we had to call it early.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47It turned into really debilitating conditions.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49Incredibly hot.
0:18:49 > 0:18:50Really, really humid.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53And, of course, we did have someone fell victim to it.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56So I basically felt we had to call it.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58Unfortunate, but that's how it is.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01Mr Mai, is there anything that they could have done differently?
0:19:10 > 0:19:12There were fish out there.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15We could see some of them hitting the surface sometimes.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18- Well, as we know, Sam, you caught one.- I did indeed.
0:19:18 > 0:19:20Ripon, you lost one.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22- Matt's counting it as caught. - Thank you, Matt.
0:19:22 > 0:19:23Dan, you caught two.
0:19:23 > 0:19:27Technically, you're the three winners, if we're going for species.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31And the judges have decided, unanimously,
0:19:31 > 0:19:34Dan you are the winner of today's task. Well done.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37Danny Two Fish does it again!
0:19:37 > 0:19:40Dan, your prize for winning today's competition
0:19:40 > 0:19:42is to choose the team tomorrow.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45Hopefully, we'll have Emma back with us. It's been a hard one.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53As the punishing sun sets on the Mekong,
0:19:53 > 0:19:57the exhausted anglers can finally start to recover
0:19:57 > 0:20:00and enjoy what the local restaurants have to offer...
0:20:00 > 0:20:04There's a massive spider on that chair, so...put that to one side.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07Quite a day, people.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10- Cheers, everyone.- Booyaka.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13I don't think I've ever sweat so much in my entire life.
0:20:13 > 0:20:15It's just been pouring out of me all day long.
0:20:15 > 0:20:19Definitely the hottest conditions I've ever been in.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22It's really different from back home, climate, environment.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25It's testing.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27It certainly puts you through a good test.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30- Today was tough, eh?- Really hard.
0:20:30 > 0:20:34Let's just hope Emma goes home, has a nice night's sleep.
0:20:36 > 0:20:40- What's your favourite type of fly, Dan?- Mine? A dead one.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47After an incredibly difficult first day of fishing
0:20:47 > 0:20:49in this remote region of Laos,
0:20:49 > 0:20:53the anglers head almost 10 kilometres south to the very bottom
0:20:53 > 0:20:56of the Khone Falls, a completely different environment.
0:20:59 > 0:21:03This deep, calm water forms the border with Cambodia
0:21:03 > 0:21:07and is home to small catfish and carp.
0:21:07 > 0:21:11The local people rely on them as a vital source of protein
0:21:11 > 0:21:13and they're not the only ones.
0:21:13 > 0:21:18This stretch of the Mekong is home to the rare Irrawaddy dolphin
0:21:18 > 0:21:20who depend on the abundance of fish here.
0:21:20 > 0:21:24Conservationists and local fishermen are working together
0:21:24 > 0:21:27to protect the remaining population,
0:21:27 > 0:21:30so whilst the dolphins live in the deeper waters, the anglers will be
0:21:30 > 0:21:34in teams learning another traditional technique in the shallows.
0:21:48 > 0:21:52Welcome ashore, everyone. Today you're going to be using cast nets.
0:21:52 > 0:21:54Standing on the front of one of the local boats,
0:21:54 > 0:21:58you'll have to get your balance and create the perfect circle,
0:21:58 > 0:22:01and believe me, it's a lot harder than the locals make it look.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05Mr Mai, can you give them a short demonstration
0:22:05 > 0:22:07of how to throw the net?
0:22:10 > 0:22:11- Just like that.- Easy.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14Although Mr Mai makes this look really simple,
0:22:14 > 0:22:17it's probably technically as difficult as fly-fishing.
0:22:17 > 0:22:21Not only to prepare the net for the throw but also the technique.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24We are sadly missing Emma, who's hopefully going to recover
0:22:24 > 0:22:25for the third part of this expedition.
0:22:25 > 0:22:30Dan, you won yesterday's challenge so you get to choose your team.
0:22:30 > 0:22:32First-team member is Ripon.
0:22:32 > 0:22:34He said he'd been out in Bangladesh and thrown a few nets
0:22:34 > 0:22:37a couple of times so I think he'd be a great asset to the side.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40My second choice is Sam.
0:22:40 > 0:22:44His knowledge of all types of fishing will be a great asset.
0:22:44 > 0:22:48That leaves James and Jo as the second team. Good luck, everyone.
0:22:48 > 0:22:49Go fish!
0:22:49 > 0:22:52But before they can get on the water...
0:22:52 > 0:22:53Good luck, guys.
0:22:53 > 0:22:56..they'll have to get to grips with this traditional technique.
0:22:56 > 0:22:58It's all right, you'll be ace at this.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01How did he do it? Any ideas? Completely alien.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06The net is thrown over a shoal of fish in the shallow water.
0:23:06 > 0:23:10It should open in a circle and sink to the bottom,
0:23:10 > 0:23:13trapping the fish underneath it.
0:23:13 > 0:23:17The string is slowly pulled, gathering the weights on the edge
0:23:17 > 0:23:20and bringing the small fish up inside it.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23If you look at the net, it's held across the shoulder
0:23:23 > 0:23:27and it looks a little bit like a dashing cape, some sort of pantomime
0:23:27 > 0:23:31villain, but the actual action of throwing it is very important.
0:23:31 > 0:23:35Great. Sam's the first one to catch today anyway.
0:23:35 > 0:23:37- Caught myself.- Can you give me a demonstration?
0:23:39 > 0:23:40Bravo!
0:23:40 > 0:23:41Very nice!
0:23:43 > 0:23:46You have high expectations for our fishermen.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51Much more optimistic about their chances than I am!
0:23:51 > 0:23:52A bit more hip action.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55Me back!
0:23:55 > 0:23:58The most common mistake is that it all lands in a heap,
0:23:58 > 0:24:01like a bunch of knitting, and it doesn't catch anything,
0:24:01 > 0:24:03so I expect some of that to be going on.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06The balance thing will be a major, major issue.
0:24:06 > 0:24:11Presumably this is where Dan will really come into his own.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14He's been going on, "Just give me a net, just give me a net,"
0:24:14 > 0:24:16we've given him one, so let's see how he gets on.
0:24:16 > 0:24:20- Just can't get that.- Come on, coracle man. You can do it.
0:24:20 > 0:24:23They look like they're struggling. Probably doing better than us!
0:24:23 > 0:24:25Jo, that's great.
0:24:25 > 0:24:27I was thinking strength might be a factor
0:24:27 > 0:24:29but I don't think you have to haul it that hard.
0:24:29 > 0:24:31I think it's just got to be smooth and accurate.
0:24:34 > 0:24:39Oh, he's holding on with the left a bit more. Right.
0:24:49 > 0:24:50Getting there.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53Tension, releasing it at the right time and the right speed,
0:24:53 > 0:24:55it's just so much to think about at the same time.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58She's nearly done it.
0:24:58 > 0:25:00Mr Mai. The man we need!
0:25:02 > 0:25:04Nearly got you!
0:25:07 > 0:25:10- Wow!- A shot on the boats?
0:25:10 > 0:25:12Let's do it, mate. This should be fun.
0:25:12 > 0:25:16Good luck.
0:25:20 > 0:25:22Thank you.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33This time of year is crucial for the local people.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37When the rains arrive, the river rises dramatically
0:25:37 > 0:25:41and fish migrate here from as far away as Vietnam
0:25:41 > 0:25:42and the South China Sea,
0:25:42 > 0:25:46making this the perfect spot for the villagers to catch them.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49Let's hope they catch more fish than they did
0:25:49 > 0:25:51in their first part of the expedition.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53Really, they're after quite small fish.
0:25:53 > 0:25:55When they were practising on the beach,
0:25:55 > 0:25:58there were differences between them but it was good.
0:25:58 > 0:26:02- Can we... What was further out again?- Haina.- Haina?
0:26:02 > 0:26:05Just a bit further.
0:26:06 > 0:26:09Mastering this technique on the shore is one thing,
0:26:09 > 0:26:11but to catch enough for their dinner,
0:26:11 > 0:26:14in the next two hours, they'll need another skill.
0:26:14 > 0:26:16Balance.
0:26:21 > 0:26:2517 stone trying to balance is like having a hippo trying to do a high wire.
0:26:28 > 0:26:30Whoa!
0:26:30 > 0:26:33LAUGHTER
0:26:34 > 0:26:36He taught them how to throw the net but he didn't teach them
0:26:36 > 0:26:40- how to balance, that's the problem. - It's really hard, isn't it?
0:26:40 > 0:26:42It's like a Carry On film. I'm loving it.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45The balancing, I could be better, but it's just because I'm so top-heavy.
0:26:45 > 0:26:49It's really good fun though, and brings me back to my childhood.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51Dad used to take us out with throw nets.
0:26:51 > 0:26:53We used to have a lot smaller ones than these,
0:26:53 > 0:26:54but still great, great fun
0:26:54 > 0:26:56because you don't know what you're going to get.
0:27:02 > 0:27:03I'm in!
0:27:04 > 0:27:07LAUGHTER
0:27:09 > 0:27:14Me coracles aren't stable and this thing is just mental.
0:27:14 > 0:27:16You lean that way.
0:27:16 > 0:27:18Scaring off my fish, guys!
0:27:23 > 0:27:25Jo makes it her job not to scare the animals
0:27:25 > 0:27:28in her role as a veterinary nurse in Suffolk.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31I don't see many fish down at the veterinary practice.
0:27:31 > 0:27:33I think they're just fascinating,
0:27:33 > 0:27:35there's so many different types of fish
0:27:35 > 0:27:37and some of them are just beautiful.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40I like to see the fish up close, to actually look at it
0:27:40 > 0:27:42and see the colours for myself.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45You see them in books but it never really does them justice.
0:27:45 > 0:27:47Oh!
0:27:47 > 0:27:49Yes!
0:27:49 > 0:27:50We are off the mark.
0:27:50 > 0:27:53Trying to keep your balance is a nightmare,
0:27:53 > 0:27:56and your technique right, thinking of everything at the same time.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02- Yes, get in!- Yes!
0:28:02 > 0:28:05So I'm trying to feel that it's hitting the bottom
0:28:05 > 0:28:08and not retrieving it until I'm pretty sure that it's down
0:28:08 > 0:28:10and then pulling it up really slowly.
0:28:10 > 0:28:12Bring it up too fast, they'll escape.
0:28:12 > 0:28:15There's one.
0:28:15 > 0:28:19As a team, Jo and James are starting to catch.
0:28:19 > 0:28:21I'm happy with the way it's going at the minute.
0:28:21 > 0:28:26I don't know how the other guys are getting on.
0:28:26 > 0:28:28Sam, Ripon and Dan...
0:28:28 > 0:28:32- For goodness' sake. - What are you doing?
0:28:32 > 0:28:34..are determined to make a splash.
0:28:37 > 0:28:40Ripon's spending more time in the drink.
0:28:40 > 0:28:42When I've done it before, I've mainly done it from the land,
0:28:42 > 0:28:46so I'm just going to have a go while I'm in it.
0:28:49 > 0:28:51Didn't work as good, did it?
0:28:51 > 0:28:55I've been in once and I don't want to go in again.
0:28:55 > 0:28:57Sam is the all-rounder of the group
0:28:57 > 0:29:00but his experience hasn't prepared him for this.
0:29:03 > 0:29:06I guess I was probably six or seven years old when I first started
0:29:06 > 0:29:09fishing on lakes and rivers, a little bit of sea fishing.
0:29:09 > 0:29:13Since then my interest has grown to just about every aspect and discipline.
0:29:13 > 0:29:17The experience I've had landing myself in a foreign destination
0:29:17 > 0:29:20and having to work everything out from the ground up,
0:29:20 > 0:29:22I think that's going to give me an edge.
0:29:22 > 0:29:24The fact that many times when I've been travelling,
0:29:24 > 0:29:25we've had to catch to eat,
0:29:25 > 0:29:28so it's a case of sink or swim in many respects.
0:29:31 > 0:29:32I think I've caught 13, now.
0:29:32 > 0:29:35- Oh, I'm catching you.- Are you?- Yes. - Good job.
0:29:35 > 0:29:36I think it's nine or ten.
0:29:38 > 0:29:41It's pretty wobbly this, actually. I have to say.
0:29:41 > 0:29:43It takes a fair amount of balance.
0:29:45 > 0:29:47I'm not going to fall in just to make our anglers
0:29:47 > 0:29:48feel happy about themselves.
0:29:51 > 0:29:54Preparation. It's all about the preparation.
0:29:54 > 0:29:57Like this and
0:29:57 > 0:29:59we go, "Catch us."
0:29:59 > 0:30:01Oh, that's quite close.
0:30:03 > 0:30:07I think they are catching all the fish, that's the problem.
0:30:13 > 0:30:16'With only an hour left to catch enough for their dinner,
0:30:16 > 0:30:19'the anglers' competitors streak is finally coming out.'
0:30:19 > 0:30:21Getting tiring, isn't it?
0:30:22 > 0:30:25- How many are you up to now? - No comment.
0:30:25 > 0:30:28They are catching fish over there. We're not catching anything here.
0:30:28 > 0:30:30'Dan's team might not be catching,
0:30:30 > 0:30:33'but at least now they are staying on their feet.
0:30:34 > 0:30:36'Whilst in the shallows,
0:30:36 > 0:30:38'Jo and James are catching more than they bargained for.'
0:30:38 > 0:30:40Oh, caught.
0:30:40 > 0:30:42Oh, no.
0:30:42 > 0:30:44If you throw the net over deep water, all the fish will shoot out
0:30:44 > 0:30:47underneath before you can actually catch them,
0:30:47 > 0:30:50so you've got to try and target them in relatively shallow water.
0:30:50 > 0:30:53The other thing that they need to look for are snags on the bottom.
0:30:53 > 0:30:54Oh, no. Look.
0:30:54 > 0:30:57My net got caught on the bottom and now I've got a massive rip in it.
0:30:57 > 0:31:01It's, like, huge so if I do get it over fish that's just going to
0:31:01 > 0:31:02be an exit hole for them.
0:31:02 > 0:31:06'So, whilst Jo heads back to shore for an emergency pit stop,
0:31:06 > 0:31:08'James is left to keep their team afloat.'
0:31:12 > 0:31:16Joe has caught more than me at the minute, so we need her back ASAP.
0:31:21 > 0:31:22Hah. It's fish.
0:31:22 > 0:31:25My 100% record, as you can see, is still intact.
0:31:25 > 0:31:27It's only a small one but it's a good one.
0:31:27 > 0:31:28I've got a fish in the net.
0:31:28 > 0:31:30'Finally the boys are making a comeback.'
0:31:30 > 0:31:32Lovely jubbly.
0:31:32 > 0:31:35Yes. Got another one. Excellent.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38Oh, yes. Two at once.
0:31:42 > 0:31:46'With time running out, and Dan's team rapidly catching up,
0:31:46 > 0:31:47'Joel rejoins her team.'
0:31:47 > 0:31:49It's good to have you back.
0:31:52 > 0:31:54'But not for long.'
0:31:54 > 0:31:56We are going down here.
0:31:56 > 0:31:58I've got a pretty major leak in the boat.
0:31:58 > 0:32:01It's floatable enough to finish the challenge, I reckon.
0:32:01 > 0:32:02At least the water is warm.
0:32:05 > 0:32:06I'm going to rip that.
0:32:06 > 0:32:09It's kept getting caught on my button on every cast.
0:32:09 > 0:32:13I thought you were turning into The Hulk there and just bursting out of your top.
0:32:13 > 0:32:15No, no. I'm going to in a minute.
0:32:15 > 0:32:16It kept getting caught in my button.
0:32:16 > 0:32:19I must have ruined about five or six casts with it so I just ripped
0:32:19 > 0:32:22it straight off. Right.
0:32:26 > 0:32:29'In the last few minutes, every cast counts.'
0:32:31 > 0:32:32Yes!
0:32:35 > 0:32:38Yeah, that's good, huh? Look at that.
0:32:38 > 0:32:40Got the last little silver collection there.
0:32:40 > 0:32:42Yeah, I've caught more fish than I've fallen in,
0:32:42 > 0:32:43so that's a good stat.
0:32:48 > 0:32:50Yes.
0:32:50 > 0:32:51Yes.
0:32:51 > 0:32:53OK, anglers. Time up.
0:32:55 > 0:32:56Come and get dry.
0:33:03 > 0:33:05HE GREETS THEM IN HIS OWN LANGUAGE
0:33:05 > 0:33:09'The winning team will be decided by dividing the number of fish
0:33:09 > 0:33:12'caught by the number of team members.'
0:33:12 > 0:33:14We've done all right, boys.
0:33:14 > 0:33:16For a bunch of novices.
0:33:25 > 0:33:28What a difference a day makes.
0:33:28 > 0:33:30Not only have five of you actually made it through the whole day,
0:33:30 > 0:33:33you have smiles on your faces.
0:33:33 > 0:33:36I'm sure even out on the water you could hear Mr Mai's laughter.
0:33:36 > 0:33:39MR MAI SPEAKS IN HIS OWN LANGUAGE
0:33:39 > 0:33:41THE ANGLERS LAUGH
0:33:48 > 0:33:52Ripon, would you like to reveal the contents of your basket?
0:33:52 > 0:33:54- 15.- Dan.
0:33:54 > 0:33:55- 17.- Sam.
0:33:55 > 0:33:57We've got 12 in there.
0:33:57 > 0:33:59- Jo.- I got 22.
0:33:59 > 0:34:01- James, can we see how many fish you caught?- Yep.
0:34:01 > 0:34:02It was 14 for the day.
0:34:02 > 0:34:06So the winning team, with an average of 18 fish per head,
0:34:06 > 0:34:08is James and Jo.
0:34:09 > 0:34:11- Well done, girls.- Girl power.
0:34:11 > 0:34:15But, of course, we also want to have one overall winner today
0:34:15 > 0:34:17and that winner
0:34:17 > 0:34:18is Jo.
0:34:18 > 0:34:21- Well done, Jo.- Thank you very much.
0:34:21 > 0:34:27You're the first person today to be throwing a really nice loop or circle.
0:34:27 > 0:34:29- Thanks, Matt.- Very good.- Well done.
0:34:32 > 0:34:37Mr Mai invites the anglers back to his village on Baan Hangkon island
0:34:37 > 0:34:39where he is the head man or mayor,
0:34:39 > 0:34:41to prepare the catch with his family.
0:34:44 > 0:34:48They cook in the traditional way in the cooler air
0:34:48 > 0:34:51under the stilted houses which line the Mekong river banks.
0:34:51 > 0:34:53Whoa. Fishy.
0:34:53 > 0:34:57- She's got that down to a T.- Smells lovely and fresh.
0:34:57 > 0:34:58Good wash-out.
0:35:03 > 0:35:06Did you see the size of them? Where were they today?
0:35:06 > 0:35:10- Maybe we'll be fishing for something like that tomorrow.- Hopefully, mate.
0:35:12 > 0:35:16- Dinner is served. - Oh, look at that.- There it is.
0:35:17 > 0:35:20- This is mine.- Thank you very much.
0:35:20 > 0:35:24Right, guys, let's raise a toast to Emma.
0:35:24 > 0:35:26Here's to her joining us again tomorrow.
0:35:30 > 0:35:31Oh, my word.
0:35:33 > 0:35:34That is rocket fuel. Ooh!
0:35:36 > 0:35:38COCKEREL CROWS
0:35:43 > 0:35:45'After a week of gruelling mental
0:35:45 > 0:35:47'and physical challenges,
0:35:47 > 0:35:50'the anglers' final test looms ahead
0:35:50 > 0:35:52'in the very heart of the falls.'
0:35:56 > 0:35:58For the final part of their expedition
0:35:58 > 0:36:00our anglers are going to have to use
0:36:00 > 0:36:05all their fishing knowledge to fish here in the white water of Khone Falls.
0:36:06 > 0:36:10'The local people here depend on the river to survive,
0:36:10 > 0:36:14'trying ever more daring ways to reach the best fishing areas.
0:36:16 > 0:36:20'They have over 30 unique methods for harvesting the river,
0:36:20 > 0:36:24'including bamboo traps that will catch the schools of migrating
0:36:24 > 0:36:27'fish once the river rises.'
0:36:27 > 0:36:29Hot this morning. Really, really humid.
0:36:29 > 0:36:30The rains are a couple of weeks late.
0:36:30 > 0:36:33They've worked it out, on average over the last 20 years, the rains
0:36:33 > 0:36:37have been here by now, but they can control everything bar Mother Nature.
0:36:37 > 0:36:41'The anglers will be fishing on the remote island of Don Phapeng
0:36:41 > 0:36:43'and even getting there is a challenge for them.'
0:36:50 > 0:36:51Save the rods.
0:36:51 > 0:36:53I'm so glad to be back.
0:36:53 > 0:36:56The last two days have been a write-off and I'm going to have to
0:36:56 > 0:37:00really pull something major out of the hat to stay in the competition.
0:37:00 > 0:37:02This is a bit of an epic backdrop.
0:37:02 > 0:37:08I've never ever fished anything like this in my life. It's ridiculous.
0:37:08 > 0:37:11'Having spent time fishing the local Artisan ways,
0:37:11 > 0:37:14'the anglers must now use their own knowledge
0:37:14 > 0:37:17'and Western sport fishing equipment to discover what
0:37:17 > 0:37:20'lies beneath the fierce currents of the Khone Falls.
0:37:22 > 0:37:26Rods in hand, all six fishermen triumphantly walk out of the forest.
0:37:26 > 0:37:30This is the final part of your discovery expedition.
0:37:30 > 0:37:33For this stage, you're going to have to combine all your fishing
0:37:33 > 0:37:36know-how with everything you've learned this week.
0:37:36 > 0:37:38You're going to have a choice of four different rods
0:37:38 > 0:37:43and you're going to be fishing here in the white water of Khone Falls.
0:37:43 > 0:37:46The angler who brings in the biggest fish wins.
0:37:46 > 0:37:49Are you ready for it? ALL: Yes.
0:37:49 > 0:37:50- Go fish!- Thank you.
0:37:53 > 0:37:56- Not sure your coracle is a good idea here, Dan.- No, mate.
0:37:56 > 0:37:59It would be quite a special achievement to stay in it here.
0:38:04 > 0:38:08'The anglers have ten hours to fish the heart of the falls.
0:38:08 > 0:38:11'They've been given four different sport fishing rods
0:38:11 > 0:38:14'and Matt will expect them to use all their experience from home
0:38:14 > 0:38:17'and apply it to this monster river.'
0:38:17 > 0:38:20They've got lots of different decisions that they can make today.
0:38:20 > 0:38:23- What do you think they should be going for?- They've got a fly rod set-up.
0:38:23 > 0:38:25That's not likely to deliver the biggest fish
0:38:25 > 0:38:27but it could deliver a fish or two.
0:38:27 > 0:38:31They've got various spinning equipment, light and heavy,
0:38:31 > 0:38:35but my money is on ledgering a bait near the bottom
0:38:35 > 0:38:39and I think I would go big because we are after some of these bigger
0:38:39 > 0:38:43catfish and carp that we know live in the water.
0:38:43 > 0:38:45'Ledgering covers a range of techniques
0:38:45 > 0:38:48'and rigs that use a lead weight.
0:38:48 > 0:38:51'A traditional ledger weight is shaped to cut down through a strong
0:38:51 > 0:38:54'current so that it reaches the bottom.
0:38:54 > 0:38:55'This can help the cast go further
0:38:55 > 0:38:59'and keep the bait still in rough or fast-flowing water.
0:38:59 > 0:39:01- People don't sport fish here. - You're right.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04Actually, that's quite an exciting thought.
0:39:04 > 0:39:08This place, the potential is absolutely huge.
0:39:08 > 0:39:11Actually having our modern lines, stronger weights
0:39:11 > 0:39:14and everything else, it might just give our anglers an advantage
0:39:14 > 0:39:17that the local guys don't have.
0:39:17 > 0:39:19In this journey of discovery, to uncover
0:39:19 > 0:39:23what lives in these murky depths, innovation will be key.
0:39:23 > 0:39:27The water is moving through a bit too quick to use the flies or
0:39:27 > 0:39:30the lure tackle so I'm going to stick a big bit of smelly bait on
0:39:30 > 0:39:34and try for a catfish. I'm going to use these stones I've tied up.
0:39:34 > 0:39:37I've put a little swivel on the top to use for weight to keep
0:39:37 > 0:39:38it down in the current.
0:39:38 > 0:39:40That's my first prong anyway, give the bait a try.
0:39:40 > 0:39:44I think it'll be pretty tricky to fish any other way here.
0:39:44 > 0:39:49If nothing smells that, that must be crazy.
0:39:49 > 0:39:53If that doesn't catch anything, I don't know what will.
0:39:53 > 0:39:56All of the anglers have chosen to start with bait fishing.
0:39:56 > 0:40:00Each hoping to target one of the larger species of carp
0:40:00 > 0:40:02or catfish that this river is famous for.
0:40:02 > 0:40:05This river is littered with different catfish species.
0:40:05 > 0:40:07The biggest species is the Mekong catfish which
0:40:07 > 0:40:11I believe can grow to 300 pounds.
0:40:11 > 0:40:15The water is really fast here so I've opted for stone on the bottom.
0:40:15 > 0:40:18It's just a straightforward ledgering system.
0:40:18 > 0:40:22This is proper hillbilly fishing, I call it.
0:40:22 > 0:40:24The key is keeping your bait on the bottom.
0:40:24 > 0:40:25The first challenge,
0:40:25 > 0:40:28the first little catfish I caught were right on the bottom so if
0:40:28 > 0:40:31the little ones are down there, the big ones will be down there as well.
0:40:31 > 0:40:35As the flow comes down the waterfall, as it slows down,
0:40:35 > 0:40:38it circles around in here so I'm hoping if anything,
0:40:38 > 0:40:40they will be waiting in this area here.
0:40:40 > 0:40:41I got a bit there now.
0:40:51 > 0:40:53That was a bite.
0:40:53 > 0:40:55There was a few knocks there.
0:40:55 > 0:40:57I just had a little bite.
0:40:57 > 0:40:59I'm going to see what it is.
0:41:00 > 0:41:05I've got something. I've got something.
0:41:06 > 0:41:10It's got stuck on the bottom!
0:41:10 > 0:41:12There's something sharp down there.
0:41:12 > 0:41:14Oh, you're joking me!
0:41:16 > 0:41:18It was bound to happen here, mate.
0:41:18 > 0:41:21This place will be festooned with snags.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27Yeah, lost it all. It's a shame, I liked that rig.
0:41:27 > 0:41:28I thought it was a fish
0:41:28 > 0:41:31but I think it's just where the current is just taking it.
0:41:31 > 0:41:33Even stones as big as that aren't holding the bottom.
0:41:33 > 0:41:37None of the anglers have ever faced water like this.
0:41:37 > 0:41:41But there are principles from home they can apply to read this river.
0:41:41 > 0:41:45You might be thinking, how on earth can I fish in such powerful water?
0:41:45 > 0:41:48But river currents are strange things
0:41:48 > 0:41:50and alongside every strong current,
0:41:50 > 0:41:52there's usually a slightly weaker one
0:41:52 > 0:41:54and if you look at where the anglers are fishing,
0:41:54 > 0:41:58you'll notice that on the inside, there is much steadier water.
0:41:58 > 0:42:01The area the fast current meets the steady, we call a crease.
0:42:01 > 0:42:04Certainly Ripon will be very familiar with the potential
0:42:04 > 0:42:06of creases for catching fish.
0:42:06 > 0:42:08This is what I'm good at, this is what I'm used to.
0:42:08 > 0:42:11The gear is a bit stepped-up, a bit different
0:42:11 > 0:42:12but it's the same principles.
0:42:13 > 0:42:15I thought I'd come and try here.
0:42:15 > 0:42:18You've got the fast current, the back area which I'll be fishing in
0:42:18 > 0:42:21and you've got a flow there so the fish will be out in the fast current
0:42:21 > 0:42:25and will be sitting in here. This is really dangerous. Crazy!
0:42:25 > 0:42:26It's like a washing machine.
0:42:30 > 0:42:34As they wait, with still no sign of the promised rains,
0:42:34 > 0:42:36and the temperature at almost 40 degrees...
0:42:36 > 0:42:40Just having a little cool off.
0:42:40 > 0:42:43..Emma takes some time out in the shade.
0:42:43 > 0:42:46My hands started shaking and my knees.
0:42:48 > 0:42:50I've obviously got this silly heatstroke thing
0:42:50 > 0:42:54and it's not going to go away too easily.
0:42:55 > 0:42:59Oh, you know... oh.
0:43:09 > 0:43:13Few people have ever fished here with modern fishing tackle.
0:43:13 > 0:43:17After three hours, the anglers are still coming up empty-handed.
0:43:17 > 0:43:20For the first time, James is struggling to catch
0:43:20 > 0:43:22and he's feeling the pressure.
0:43:22 > 0:43:23Any fish will do today.
0:43:23 > 0:43:26It's going to be hard. This is really hard to fish in.
0:43:26 > 0:43:29So why aren't they catching any fish right now?
0:43:29 > 0:43:31If the rains had come and the migrating fish had come in,
0:43:31 > 0:43:33we'd dealing with a lot more fish
0:43:33 > 0:43:35but it's the resident fish that's the problem.
0:43:35 > 0:43:37The stocks have been depleted.
0:43:37 > 0:43:39Do you think the locals still have the upper hand
0:43:39 > 0:43:41- because of the knowledge? - Of course they have.
0:43:41 > 0:43:43They're fishing with traps, they're fishing with nets.
0:43:43 > 0:43:45They know this water like the back of the hand.
0:43:45 > 0:43:47We're on a journey of discovery.
0:43:47 > 0:43:49Now, it may well be that this is the first seed
0:43:49 > 0:43:52that starts off an interesting sport fishing
0:43:52 > 0:43:54and if it does and it grows and it's nurtured,
0:43:54 > 0:43:58maybe one day by having a thriving sport fishing industry
0:43:58 > 0:44:01and more protection for the fish, the local people will be better off
0:44:01 > 0:44:05because they've got more money to spend and everybody is happy. Maybe.
0:44:05 > 0:44:07Can I tell you the one thing I think they need
0:44:07 > 0:44:09before sport fishing takes off here?
0:44:09 > 0:44:11- Go on.- Fish!
0:44:13 > 0:44:16I've come to my second spot and I'm going with a smaller hook.
0:44:16 > 0:44:21Just to see whether I can whittle something out.
0:44:21 > 0:44:24Dan is not the only one changing tack.
0:44:24 > 0:44:27I'm now just going to chuck out a weight and a hook.
0:44:27 > 0:44:29That's what I saw a local guy using just down there.
0:44:29 > 0:44:33It was very simple. I'm going to try it on my rod to start with.
0:44:33 > 0:44:37If I'm having no joy with that, I might switch to hand lining.
0:44:37 > 0:44:39Having caught the least fish cast netting,
0:44:39 > 0:44:43Sam is trying everything to catch something.
0:44:43 > 0:44:44I think I'll try spinning.
0:44:44 > 0:44:47I've used spinners on various rivers like this in the past.
0:44:47 > 0:44:49It has snagged me the occasional fish.
0:44:49 > 0:44:52Not usually the biggest but you've got to try
0:44:52 > 0:44:54so I'll give it a few goes.
0:44:54 > 0:44:56If there's nothing going, I'll go back to the bait.
0:44:56 > 0:44:58Keep ringing the changes today.
0:44:58 > 0:45:01Ripon is aiming to double his chances.
0:45:01 > 0:45:04What I'm doing is just setting up another rod.
0:45:04 > 0:45:05This one is going to go in the middle
0:45:05 > 0:45:08and I'm just going to roll the bait along the bottom hopefully.
0:45:08 > 0:45:11I suppose this is what we call extreme course fishing?
0:45:11 > 0:45:13It really is extreme.
0:45:13 > 0:45:17You fall this way, you're going to hurt yourself quite bad.
0:45:17 > 0:45:20Fall this way, you could potentially die.
0:45:20 > 0:45:24We've seen locals, there's a guy over there. It's obviously worth the risk.
0:45:24 > 0:45:25The fish are here, aren't they?
0:45:25 > 0:45:27The fish are here, it's just getting to them.
0:45:27 > 0:45:29I can tell you're frustrated though.
0:45:29 > 0:45:31Yes, it's just annoying.
0:45:31 > 0:45:33It's the current. If someone could just...
0:45:33 > 0:45:36- Shall I just go and switch it off? - If you could!
0:45:42 > 0:45:46Having had half their time in the blazing heat already,
0:45:46 > 0:45:48and with no bites to show for it...
0:45:48 > 0:45:50Nothing happening.
0:45:50 > 0:45:51Where's the fish?
0:45:51 > 0:45:54...it's time to pull out all the stops.
0:45:54 > 0:45:56I am the bearer of fish food.
0:45:56 > 0:45:57Everyone's got the same amount.
0:45:57 > 0:46:00You've got a mixture of fish, sweetcorn and rice.
0:46:00 > 0:46:02- Good luck!- Thank you.
0:46:02 > 0:46:05I'm just baiting up at the moment.
0:46:05 > 0:46:07With new bait comes new options.
0:46:07 > 0:46:10Dan, James and Sam are using swim feeders.
0:46:10 > 0:46:12Two empty capsules.
0:46:12 > 0:46:14All we do is take the caps off,
0:46:14 > 0:46:16stuff the fish in, that sits on the bottom
0:46:16 > 0:46:19so there's lots of extra smell in the water and the idea is,
0:46:19 > 0:46:22the fish follow the stench out up to where the feeder is
0:46:22 > 0:46:24and there's two hooks on with bait on it
0:46:24 > 0:46:26so they've got a choice of two morsels to eat.
0:46:26 > 0:46:28That's for the bigger fish on the bottom
0:46:28 > 0:46:31and that's for the slightly smaller fish just off the bottom.
0:46:35 > 0:46:38Ripon is also using his initiative.
0:46:38 > 0:46:41We do have swim feeders but the rice is too sticky.
0:46:41 > 0:46:44It won't flow out so I'm going back to basics
0:46:44 > 0:46:46and I'm just wrapping the rice around the lead.
0:46:46 > 0:46:49I will bury that in there so hopefully when they're in there,
0:46:49 > 0:46:52they'll break it up and then they'll see something different.
0:46:52 > 0:46:56Hopefully that'll be a fish. This is mainly a carp tactic.
0:46:57 > 0:47:00It's so lovely to be fishing again.
0:47:00 > 0:47:02I've got a completely different kit to the others.
0:47:02 > 0:47:06I have a really lightweight piece of kit on, a little jelly wobbler.
0:47:06 > 0:47:09You'll get the biggest fish of the day, Emma.
0:47:09 > 0:47:13Emma! How glad am I to see you today?
0:47:13 > 0:47:16- So am I.- You've caught the bottom again?
0:47:16 > 0:47:19Every time I talk to you, I catch the bottom.
0:47:19 > 0:47:20Look at this man here.
0:47:20 > 0:47:23You've seen what lengths they go to to catch fish.
0:47:25 > 0:47:28He was pulling on a line so he must have a huge net.
0:47:28 > 0:47:31I thought he was going to bring out something enormous.
0:47:31 > 0:47:35Well, that sounds bad!
0:47:46 > 0:47:49Grab a bit of bait and drop back in down there,
0:47:49 > 0:47:51drop it in the quieter water.
0:47:51 > 0:47:56Still no fish caught and the anglers are using every trick in the book.
0:47:56 > 0:47:58Down the bank, just about every option we have
0:47:58 > 0:48:01is being tried at the moment so if I keep my eyes on them
0:48:01 > 0:48:04and I see something starts to work, I can make a change.
0:48:04 > 0:48:06Just going round through my head the different options.
0:48:06 > 0:48:09There's a little pond up there I've seen little tiny fish in.
0:48:09 > 0:48:11I've been fishing from the main current
0:48:11 > 0:48:14and no-one's caught anything. This is a completely different change.
0:48:14 > 0:48:15From one extreme to the other.
0:48:15 > 0:48:18The water is a lot slower, there's a nice calm bit here
0:48:18 > 0:48:21but the fish will be lying in this fast water.
0:48:21 > 0:48:23This is a really, really lightweight fly rod.
0:48:23 > 0:48:25This is what I'm at home with.
0:48:25 > 0:48:30Even if they're that big, one fish, that could win the day.
0:48:40 > 0:48:43I think the locals are a little bit shocked with what I'm doing.
0:48:43 > 0:48:45He's like, "What the hell's going on here?"
0:48:45 > 0:48:48I think that has totally spoiled the fishing now.
0:48:48 > 0:48:52The local people have used the same simple methods for hundreds of years
0:48:52 > 0:48:55and they're completely out-fishing the hi-tech Brits.
0:48:55 > 0:48:59It is like a bream/carp, really.
0:48:59 > 0:49:01Hey, catch all my fish, man!
0:49:03 > 0:49:05Can I have a look?
0:49:07 > 0:49:09Unless I've got a net, I'm not going to catch anything.
0:49:09 > 0:49:11I haven't seen a single person use a rod.
0:49:15 > 0:49:17SNAPPING
0:49:17 > 0:49:21HE LAUGHS
0:49:21 > 0:49:24Snapped my rod.
0:49:31 > 0:49:36It's a new type of rod, it's called the right angle.
0:49:38 > 0:49:43This is how you fish it.
0:49:43 > 0:49:46Like that.
0:49:46 > 0:49:50There you go, you don't even need to pack it up. Bam!
0:50:00 > 0:50:03Just 30 minutes left.
0:50:03 > 0:50:05Oh, hit the rock.
0:50:05 > 0:50:07I've seen a couple of fish splash
0:50:07 > 0:50:10but I think the majority will be a little deeper.
0:50:10 > 0:50:12All you've got to do is keep persevering.
0:50:12 > 0:50:15Jo, did you get a few bites?
0:50:16 > 0:50:18I'm just tying another hook on the line now.
0:50:18 > 0:50:22The way things have been going today, anything is worth a shot.
0:50:22 > 0:50:23There's tiny little fish here.
0:50:23 > 0:50:25I think they're probably the baby carp.
0:50:25 > 0:50:28There's so many of them. If only I had a net.
0:50:29 > 0:50:33I'm going to get one, you know. I'm trying to catch them in my cap.
0:50:33 > 0:50:36Nice to see Emma out again today.
0:50:36 > 0:50:38What have you noticed amongst the six fishermen?
0:50:38 > 0:50:41Well, they are definitely trying different tactics.
0:50:41 > 0:50:43Emma, I've noticed, maybe her mind is not quite on it.
0:50:43 > 0:50:47She's using very lightweight stuff. If you look at Sam on the end there.
0:50:47 > 0:50:49He's fishing with a boulder.
0:50:49 > 0:50:51Well, this is the cauldron, isn't it?
0:50:51 > 0:50:54He's on the end where the current is at its strongest.
0:50:54 > 0:50:56He's using a rock this big to hold bottom.
0:50:56 > 0:51:00That's not a bad thing to do. Ripon has done quite a smart thing,
0:51:00 > 0:51:04he's got some rice and he's moulded around his ledger weight
0:51:04 > 0:51:06and he'll have adapted that technique
0:51:06 > 0:51:07from something that we do at home.
0:51:07 > 0:51:11Dan whacked a bait across to the far side where there is a big pool
0:51:11 > 0:51:13and I really like the look of it.
0:51:13 > 0:51:15He's trying the right things.
0:51:15 > 0:51:16Everything is against us.
0:51:16 > 0:51:18I think we've just got to take it on the chin
0:51:18 > 0:51:20that the fish are not feeding at the moment.
0:51:20 > 0:51:22A few of us in danger of going out today.
0:51:22 > 0:51:24I caught a fish in the first round.
0:51:24 > 0:51:26Didn't do so good in the local challenge.
0:51:26 > 0:51:29Today, no-one's caught anything.
0:51:29 > 0:51:34There's a few of us that have got a bit knock-kneed.
0:51:34 > 0:51:35It's been really hard today.
0:51:35 > 0:51:38Everyone has tried absolutely everything.
0:51:38 > 0:51:39The pressure is on now.
0:51:39 > 0:51:43We've tried fishing lures, fishing flies, up in the water, down deep.
0:51:43 > 0:51:46Fishing meat baits, fishing fish baits, fishing corn,
0:51:46 > 0:51:49fishing rice, using swim feeders.
0:51:49 > 0:51:51We really have tried just about absolutely everything
0:51:51 > 0:51:54and it's been pretty fruitless.
0:51:54 > 0:51:57I might move my fish trap.
0:51:57 > 0:51:59Oh, something was nibbling.
0:51:59 > 0:52:02I'm running out of things to do but I think what I'm doing
0:52:02 > 0:52:07isn't the wrong way of going about it so just got to hold on, really.
0:52:07 > 0:52:08Try the deep diving,
0:52:08 > 0:52:11that's the only thing left in the box I haven't tried.
0:52:11 > 0:52:14I'm not giving up. Never know.
0:52:14 > 0:52:16I think my 100% record is going to disappear today.
0:52:19 > 0:52:23OK, your time is up! Bad luck, guys.
0:52:23 > 0:52:27Oh, dear, dear, dear, dear.
0:52:28 > 0:52:29Yeah, what can you do?
0:52:29 > 0:52:31I think this is the first challenge
0:52:31 > 0:52:34since the beginning where there hasn't been one fish caught.
0:52:34 > 0:52:37I think everyone has tried hard today and the fish aren't biting
0:52:37 > 0:52:38and you can't catch them.
0:52:38 > 0:52:41I'm concerned that I think the judges may think
0:52:41 > 0:52:43I wasn't taking it seriously enough.
0:52:43 > 0:52:46I haven't had my competitive head on, perhaps,
0:52:46 > 0:52:49to the extent that I should have done.
0:52:57 > 0:53:00In the battle of man versus fish,
0:53:00 > 0:53:04for the first time in our global adventure, the fish have won.
0:53:04 > 0:53:08The anglers must face Matt and Mr Mai empty-handed.
0:53:15 > 0:53:17Well done, guys.
0:53:17 > 0:53:21That was a hard, hot few days of fishing.
0:53:21 > 0:53:25Obviously this is an expedition of discovery
0:53:25 > 0:53:28and you didn't discover very much.
0:53:28 > 0:53:32Ripon, I think you've caught something else there.
0:53:32 > 0:53:35A stick insect there.
0:53:35 > 0:53:37There we go.
0:53:37 > 0:53:40You've caught something, guys! Well done!
0:53:40 > 0:53:42You know, you really did, between you,
0:53:42 > 0:53:44go through the full deck of cards, I think.
0:53:44 > 0:53:46You tried ledgering on the bottom,
0:53:46 > 0:53:49you tried spin fishing in its different forms.
0:53:49 > 0:53:51You tried all kinds of rigs.
0:53:51 > 0:53:54You tried using stones instead of ledger weights.
0:53:54 > 0:53:58Small hooks, big hooks, small baits, big baits and unfortunately,
0:53:58 > 0:53:59no-one came up with the answers.
0:53:59 > 0:54:04Obviously the aim of this task was to catch the biggest fish.
0:54:04 > 0:54:05There were no fish.
0:54:05 > 0:54:09On that note, the judges have to go away and discuss how you performed
0:54:09 > 0:54:13over the last week and decide which one of you is going home.
0:54:13 > 0:54:15We'll see you all shortly.
0:54:25 > 0:54:28Mr Mai, Matt, that was a tough few days out there.
0:54:28 > 0:54:32Obviously different skills on each day, requiring different techniques.
0:54:32 > 0:54:33How do you think Ripon got on?
0:54:33 > 0:54:38I thought this might be more in his court, this venue.
0:54:38 > 0:54:42It's freshwater, which he's used to, and fishing for quite a lot
0:54:42 > 0:54:48of bottom feeding species, which is what he tends to fish for at home.
0:54:48 > 0:54:52So, not great. Probably scrape through.
0:55:05 > 0:55:07Onto Jo, the only one of our anglers not to
0:55:07 > 0:55:10go into the water in the cast netting.
0:55:10 > 0:55:12Throw netting is a real skill.
0:55:12 > 0:55:15She threw that net beautifully time and time again.
0:55:15 > 0:55:18It just played into her hands. It was really nice fishing.
0:55:18 > 0:55:19Now onto Dan.
0:55:19 > 0:55:22Can't take it away from him, he got that bamboo rod,
0:55:22 > 0:55:24he caught two catfish, proper fish.
0:55:24 > 0:55:27A reasonable performance again from Dan.
0:55:27 > 0:55:29What about Emma, that's a really hard decision.
0:55:29 > 0:55:32She did fish most of the first day and then had today.
0:55:32 > 0:55:37The anglers know that this is going to be a challenge.
0:55:37 > 0:55:40They also know that, at times, they will be tested.
0:55:41 > 0:55:44For Emma, this was one of those times.
0:55:44 > 0:55:46She was very bad with heat exhaustion.
0:55:46 > 0:55:49I did see enough, I think, on the first day
0:55:49 > 0:55:53and then today I think she was intimidated by the river.
0:55:53 > 0:55:56She reverted to fishing the small side stream.
0:55:56 > 0:55:59I thought she spent too long at it. It was all a little bit too safe.
0:55:59 > 0:56:01What did you think about Sam?
0:56:07 > 0:56:10I think Sam is at his best when he's got clear in his mind
0:56:10 > 0:56:14what he needs to do and I think there were points in this
0:56:14 > 0:56:16when he realised that actually,
0:56:16 > 0:56:19he wasn't going to just breeze through it.
0:56:19 > 0:56:22- Moving onto James? - He was great in the cast netting.
0:56:22 > 0:56:24I think he struggled with the pole fishing
0:56:24 > 0:56:28and I think he also struggled with the rod line fishing,
0:56:28 > 0:56:31to quite a large degree actually.
0:56:31 > 0:56:36- So, who is safe?- I think Jo is the most cast iron this time around.
0:56:36 > 0:56:38Dan, probably, but the rest...
0:56:53 > 0:56:57Thank you, anglers, for throwing yourself into this week.
0:56:57 > 0:57:00In most cases, into the Mekong.
0:57:00 > 0:57:04The judges have analysed everything from technique to catch,
0:57:04 > 0:57:06all the information they could glean this week.
0:57:08 > 0:57:14They've decided that the person going home...
0:57:18 > 0:57:20...is Emma.
0:57:20 > 0:57:24I'm so sorry, Emma. We have loved your enthusiasm.
0:57:26 > 0:57:28Good innings, girl.
0:57:28 > 0:57:31Oh, dear. Really sad not to be carrying on.
0:57:31 > 0:57:35It just has been such fun and I've met some amazing people.
0:57:37 > 0:57:40I tried to get my head around some quite extraordinary fishing.
0:57:42 > 0:57:44Emma brings so much to the group.
0:57:44 > 0:57:47Just the way she brings everyone up, that smile she's got.
0:57:47 > 0:57:50She's going to be a massive miss.
0:57:53 > 0:57:55I think I just keep getting bad luck, really.
0:57:55 > 0:57:57It keeps following me around.
0:57:57 > 0:58:01Hopefully it changes next week.
0:58:01 > 0:58:04Costa Rica! I've always wanted to go to Costa Rica.
0:58:07 > 0:58:08Next time...
0:58:11 > 0:58:14The anglers are bowled over by the local way of fishing.
0:58:16 > 0:58:20And get to meet the rock stars of the ocean.
0:58:20 > 0:58:21Hee-hee-hee!