A Unique Fishing Style with Rarely Seen Fishing Tools
Set against a picturesque rocky landscape with a rushing stream, a man wearing a kasa hat and dressed in an outfit reminiscent of classic martial arts films stands by the water. In his hands, he holds a long pole resting above the surface of the water.
Next to him is another long pole, both resembling fishing nets, and indeed, he is using them to catch fish in the stream. The swift current makes fishing here nearly impossible.
Traditional Japanese fishing style. (Photo: Pinterest)
However, he intentionally chooses a steep spot and places the net at the bottom of the slope, where white frothy water splashes up. The net resting on the water allows him to clearly see if any fish jump in.
This is actually a traditional Japanese fishing method that dates back to the Edo period, where fishermen select steep sections of streams with strong currents to catch fish that leap out of the water using nets, subsequently placing the fish into a nearby basket.
The fish caught using this method is the Ayu (Japanese: 鮎, scientific name: Plecoglossus altivelis) – a symbol of Gunma Prefecture in Japan.
In Japan, Ayu are considered a delicious and sweet fish (often compared to the taste of watermelon) and represent a distinctive flavor of summer, commanding a relatively high price. This fish is known for swimming upstream like salmon during its spawning season.
Ayu Fish. (Photo: Pinterest)
Adult Ayu swim from coastal areas into the freshwater regions of rivers to spawn in the spring. They attempt to leap up waterfalls, which is when fishermen set their long nets and leisurely sit by the shore to catch the fish.
In addition to the traditional net fishing method mentioned above, the Japanese also utilize an ancient technique involving the use ofJapanese cormorants (scientific name: Phalacrocorax capillatus) to catch Ayu fish.
The fishing of this species is highly regulated as the government prohibits the catching of Ayu; only local residents are permitted to fish for this species during the summer.
