Traditional fishing gears of Assam

 Assam is very rich in its aquatic resources. The mighty river Brahmaputra with 42 important tributaries flows for 640 km in the state. Besides there are various wetlands such as beels, ponds etc. which gives good yield of fishes. Fishing is very part of Assamese culture. All sections of society are involved in it. Fishing is a community affair during Bihu.

Following are some of the common fishing gears of Assam:

1) JULKI (POLO)
The tool resembles the shape of a dome with short stem of about 6? diameter open at the top. The diameter at the bottom varies from 2 ft-3½ ft. and even upto 4 ft. and the height varies from 2 ft. to 3 ft. It is prepared out of small bamboo strips fastened with fine and flexible cane slips. Polo is used for fishing in shallow water. The man who uses it hold it by the side of the stem, presses its rim on the mud, then pulls it back and lifts above or up to the level of water and again presses it as before while moving on through water. Whenever any fish is caught, he puts his hand inside through the stem to catch hold of the fish.

2) JAKOI
The ‘Jakoi’ is a species of wicker work shovel that is either dragged along the bottom or placed on the water bed to catch the small fishes which take refuge in it when the weed is trampled. It is prepared with bamboo slips, which are locally known as ‘dai’. ‘Jati’ bamboo is specially used for making this particular implement.

3) KHALOI
The ‘Khaloi’ is prepared with bamboo strips which is used for temporary keeping of fishes during hand-net fishing. The strips required for the weft are very long, while those for the warp are short. The ‘Khaloi’ is woven in the shape of an earthen ‘Kalasi’ or pitcher.

4) CHEPA / SEPA
The chepa is made of some prepared bamboo rods according to required size. These are woven in a roundish fashion with jute string or soft cane slips. A bamboo-made valve locally known as ‘par’ (Bengali) and ‘kal’ (Assamese) is fitted in the middle of the chepa to allow the fishes to enter inside with no scope for going out.

5) Netting:

Fishing nets are meshes usually formed by knotting a relatively thin thread. Various types of nets are used such as Lampuki nets, drift nets, cast nets etc.Cast nets - are round nets with small weights distributed around the edge. They are also called throw nets. The net is caste or thrown by hand in such a manner that it spreads out on the water and sinks. Fish are caught as the net is hauled back in. This simple device has been in use, with various modifications, for thousands of years.

6) Angling with a rod

Fishing rods give more control of the fishing line. The rod is usually fitted with a fishing reel which functions as a mechanism for storing, retrieving and paying out the line. Floats may also be used, and can function as bite indicators. The hook can be dressed with lures or bait.

By: Ziyaur Rahman