Winter fishing at Chagan Lake
- By Jason Lee
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E-mail China.org.cn, February 19, 2016
The most exciting moment is when the fishing net is pulled out from the large exit hole. The fish struggle in the vaporous airs on the ice surface, and soon become frozen. On Dec. 28 last year, villagers got 50,000 kg of fish in the first net, and the largest one was auctioned off at a price of 78,000 yuan (US$12,381) by a tourism company as a publicity stunt.
Shi Baozhu, 80, is the 19th tribal chief in the village's history. He started fishing at 15 years of age and became a fishing team leader at 23. Shi is in charge of choosing the places to drill holes on the ice surface.
"A competent fishing team leader shoulders heavy expectations of the whole village," Shi said. "A large number of small bubbles appearing below the ice means a large group of fish are gathered there. I must judge where they will go and how long they may stay in certain place. The decision must be made in an instant, and the following actions must be quick."
Shi recalled Chagan Lake attracted countless fishermen in the 1950s and 1960s, and the number of fish living there declined by a large margin in the following years. Outside fishers then left the lake gradually. Local residents started putting fish fry into the lake, and taking strict measures to protect the fish resources. There is certain period of time every year that has become a closed fishing season. Currently, the lake has 68 kinds of fish, and the annual catch is more than 6,000 tons.
Shi actually retired at 55. But the villagers still invite him to come out to work as a leader in winters. He has many followers, and does not worry at all that his craft and experience will be lost in the future.
The winter fishing in Chagan Lake has been classified by the government as China's national intangible cultural heritage.
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