Rick Humphreys reports from Thailand: Rick emailed us with some amazing photos and this story:

I have attached pics of the first ever recorded natural Giant Freshwater Stingray birth on the Maeklong River in Thailand.The pregnant female estimated 170-180kg's was landed by the fishsiam team after a hour battle whilst field testing a new rod. Whilst being handled in the margins it gave birth to a live newborn measuring 30cm's. After our previous birth encounter with the National Geographic team on the Ban Pakong earlier in the year, this is a clear sign that suprisingly healthy populations of Giant freshwater Stingray/Himantura Chaophraya are present in both rivers and successfully breeding. The birth was recorded on the 30th July and has not been publicised yet.

In addition a German client named Peter Lipah landed three GFS in one day from the Maeklong River estimated to weigh 190kg,180kg which we believe was also pregnant and had just a stump for a tail and a 50kg male on the 13th August from the Maeklong River at Area 51.
Peter returned to the Ban Pakong River the next day and despite horrendous conditions landed a massive 2m female estimated 180kg's.
Seperately our friend Brendan caught a massive Giant Siamese Carp two weeks ago from Bungsamaln Lake in Bangkok weighing 63kg's. Another client who booked with us to fish Topcats fishery in Koh Samui caught a pending IGFA record Niger'ripsaw' Catfish which I witnessed weighed at 36lb1oz eclipsing the previous record of 11kg from the Amazon. I will send pics when I get them.

Rick Humphreys.
Fishing in Thailand.

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