Udupi: Monsoon Special – It’s Fishing in Rivulets for Tasty Catch
By Shekar Ajekar, Pics: Srikanthi Hebri
Daijiworld Media Network – Hebri (RD/SB)
Udupi, Jun 25: The local residents venture into the rivulets and lakes in order to go on fishing-spree at the onset of monsoon that arrives first or second week of June every year in the coastal district.
The local fishermen go on fishing-spree during the night either with the help of petromax lamp or kerosene-dipped cotton waste tied to a piece of wood along with a large sickle or sword to kill the fish for catch. The varieties of fish that they catch especially during monsoon tastes much better and the locals go any distance in night braving torrential rains.
These seasonal fishermen in groups venturing into rivulets and lakes that lies around paddy fields and lush vegetation, either trap the fish in a convenient location where the water flow narrows or cut the fish as it passes through, while one of his companion picks-up and puts in the bag. It’s a delight to view a group of fishermen passing through ridges of paddy fields during their fishing spree. These men spend sleepless nights and brave the thundering showers and cold, just to get some fish and have rice with tasty fish curry.
There are also a few men who are vegetarians, join the fishing-spree for the fun of it. They catch wide varieties of fish including crabs and shell fish in their night-long adventure.
Fun and Food
There are a few who go on fishing-spree with the help of petromax lamps and other lighting accessories – wait in a narrow ridge of lake, in order to cut the fish with a large sword or sickle as it moves upstream. There are instances that these men kill the water borne harmless snakes as they come out of their hiding, assuming that they are a large species of fish.
The men from the distant Shimoga and Teertahalli arrive in the plains here, to undertake over-night fishing and return in their vehicles early morning. Fish species migrate from upstream especially during monsoon, as the currents are stronger in monsoon, seeking safe places in rivulets and lakes besides paddy fields in plains, in order to lay their eggs. Meanwhile, the seasoned fishermen either trap those using small nets or kill them to make tasty curry for a rainy day.
People queue to buy the fish paying exorbitant prices so as to savour it in their household. Although, seasonal fish in monsoon are found in plenty in coastal district, it’s found in abundance in the rivulets along Sita river,’ says H B Suresh.
Meanwhile, the monsoon gives an opportunity for these seasoned fishermen to venture into nearby lakes and rivulets, to go on fishing-spree and savour the delicacy.