This week, Robson journeys to stunning Sri Lanka, where fishing is the lifeblood of the coastal communities around the island. The adventure begins with some real local colour at the Kandy Perahera festival. This event is a unique symbol of Sri Lanka’s heritage, celebrating Buddhism with dancing. Garishly decorated elephants are often the most memorable images from this incredible spectacle. Robson also observes the traditional ‘water-cutting’ ceremony – the Diya Kepeema.
Next up is a stop at the beaches of southern Sri Lanka. Robson heads for the seaside town of Koggala where fishing continues as normal, despite the massive damaged caused by the 2004 tsunami. Robson encounters the Weligama stilt fishermen, who have practised their unique technique of balancing on poles for decades.
Passed down from father to son, the position of these poles along the coastline is much disputed. The fishermen carve intricate notches, enabling them to climb up on to their 10ft-high crossbar perches. As Robson follows the fishermen out into the sea, he prepares himself to climb the poles. How will he fare when he is attempting to keep his balance while catching his supper?
Despite not being fond of the dark, Robson then visits the Uda Walawe national park and challenges himself to fish in one of the caves. There is the potential to catch stinging catfish, eels and gobies, amongst other weird and wonderful creatures. It is not an easy task, but with the right bait Robson could be successful. However, with thousands of bats flying around, eating anything caught in this cave would not be advisable!
In search of spirituality, Robson decides to visit a Buddhist temple on one of the beautiful islands found on the Madu Ganga river. He then heads out for a fishing trip on the river, one of the most abundant in Sri Lanka. Surrounded by thick jungle, the water is stocked to the gunnels with freshwater fish and huge barracuda, barramundi, mangrove jack, bull eyes and mackerel. After a surprisingly Zen experience at the temple, will fortune smile on Robson’s adventure?
However, Robson has one major goal on this leg of his tour. Found in the Mahaweli river, the mahseer is the main species of indigenous sporting fish in Sri Lanka – and the Geordie lad will not be happy until he has caught one! This is the ultimate freshwater fish, renowned as the hardest-fighting species on the planet. The mahseer in the Mahaweli can reach weights of up to 107lb – is Robson up to the challenge?
Leaving southern Sri Lanka behind, Robson’s final trip takes him to the wilds of the Indian Ocean. The Geordie sets off from the fishing village of Hambantota looking for the ocean’s biggest predators – but it is monsoon season and conditions are horrendous. After three terrifying hours at sea, it is time for Robson to catch something extreme! But will he be able to handle his rod – and his fish – in such wild conditions?
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Comments (21)
12 months ago
Mickey & Ange
Robson has done something that no one else has ever done with a rod! My partner who I may add is a female, hates even the word of 'fishing', but just can't wait to Robo with his rod! He has made his life long passion in to an extraordinary 'must watch' programme and I must say a BIG thanks to the geordie lad for his enthusiasm. Here's to series 5. GO ON SON!
almost 2 years ago
george
who planned the Sri Lanka trip...you missed out on all the best fishing spots in the country. Off colombo and 15 mins from the airport you could have caught yellow fin and done inland fishing. An hour north and you could have fished and while being surrounded by Dolphin. In the inland lakes, you can sail out and catch. Who ever planned the trip had you in the vehicle more than at the fishing sites...such a shame as it showed the worst sides of fishing in the country.
almost 2 years ago
anmol
my hobby is fishing n dis is the best programme ive ever seen..ive watched all the series n episode but still when im bored i go over n again...im never bored watchin dis programme again n again..im addicted to fishin..love it..even i go for fishin in dover...
This comment was removed by a moderator
almost 2 years ago
chinu
i am in love with rob
2 years ago
kieron
Brilliant show
2 years ago
kieron
Brilliant
This comment was removed by a moderator
over 2 years ago
ben
i want extreme fishing series 4 to come out :D
over 2 years ago
Racahel Ruine
The Hotel Serendib in bentota where Robson stayed is amazing, what a beautiful place we absolutley loved it!!
over 2 years ago
John Wilson
This 'professional Geordie' confuses catching fish with someone else hooking one and then passing him the rod. As for the foul language, we've already got Gordon Ramsey, so why would we need another idiot. Stick to hamming it up, bonny lad.
over 2 years ago
adam hall
mr green is the man very f-in funny, if your even in bournemouth hook me up and ill take you beach fishing. to catch are self a bass, oh yea
over 2 years ago
cameron murphy
oh how good and to all of you how do you not like fishing its the best
over 2 years ago
aglonline
in your face, lets have more detail on contacts to do similar fishing
over 2 years ago
luke
i love this show
over 2 years ago
Christine
Loving the show so great to see the excitement Robson shows. Brilliant!
over 2 years ago
paul
Well he is no jeremy wade
over 2 years ago
Ian Horsfall
Robson is awesome a its great program he is funny and i hope he makes another series after this one
over 2 years ago
joanne jackson
wonderful programme hate fish hate fishing loved this programme thank you Robson never laughed so much before best entertainment i have seen in a long time
over 2 years ago
joanne jackson
wonderful programme i don't like fish or fishing who would ever believe it would make such a wonderful programme cannot wait till new one is on tele
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