How to catch the Christmas carp

• How to catch the Christmas carp

It is hard to imagine a Christmas holiday table in the Czech Republic without carp (Vánoční kapr). This tradition emerged in South Bohemia from the time of Cyril and Methodius - Franciscan monks were the first to raise carp in ponds and baked to put them on the table. It so happens that this fish is available all costs became a symbol of the Christmas table. However, across the country, this tradition has spread not so long ago - since the beginning of the XIX century.

Soon there will be large jugs of water in the center of Prague, which will splatter hefty carp before Christmas and the Old Town Square will put a large pot of fish soup and the mayor will pour it for everyone.

Recent morning had a chance to see how the path begins Moravian carp for Christmas table almost every Czech family.

For the 100 kilometers to the south of Prague is a fishing cooperative on Gorusitskom pond where the carp are bred and various other fish. Gorusitsky pond large area - more than 60 sq. km. And quite deep - up to 6 meters. This is one of several ponds in which a company producing fish breeds of carp, pike, carp, and so on. The process of breeding stretched over time - from the breeding of fry to "harvest" is two years. Today was the first of three days of work of the farm, where, together with staff involved and civilian workers. This is a great event to which even the audience gathers.

Before you catch the water from the pond drained into the river, leaving only a small patch, which is going to fish. At first a few people put the fence from the grid, the fish catch has remained in place. It takes about an hour, the rest of the fishermen at this time standing on the edge of the forest, not to frighten the fish. Then, when everything is over, a large group of harsh men, dressed in boots to belts, rubber raincoat and hat, goes out to the water and begins to build a large network:

Before you begin, all took off their caps and shouted "Wish us luck, St. Peter" (as the patron saint of fishermen). The foreman held a short briefing, warned, "that no booze", assign responsibilities and wished me luck. In the hands of the foreman of the symbol of his power - so-called.. ferule. This is a symbolic ax of St. Peter's in conjunction with a tip that should be hung on the scales during a sort of fish:

the flow of water in the pond - a feast for local birds in the mud is always possible to find the remaining fish. Who here just do not have - from seagulls to storks:

fishing technology rather uncomplicated - on the dried leaves of the bottom of the tractor rope tied to it a large network, and he, together with the fishermen in the boat pulls her into the water, the factory, and then to enter into the network in the ring:

In the background - the gateway through which drained the water out of the pond:

When the network is set, the fishermen start beating poles on the water, driving the fish in the center of the plant:

Cable, on which hangs a network, on the one hand holds the tractor, the other - the fishermen who go along the beach, setting the stage for a network of reference:

This is the most time-consuming part of the job - all pulling together a huge network, which already beats several tons of fish:

Fishermen in boats also tighten the net, resting on the bottom of the wooden poles:

As a result of this artisanal work boats, together with the network form a circle, they are assigned to each other and on the cable pull to a concrete pier, where the set sorting line with loading:

First, choose the nets largest fish, especially pike and send it in a separate jug of water:

Sorting:

Then include the sorting line and begin to pull the fish out of the network a small crane with a basket. Fish out of the basket falls into a sorting chamber, there are two or three throws carp fishermen for loading, and the rest in the gutter with the water, where the rest of the fish are sorted other members of the farm:

Sorted from other carp fish immediately loaded into tanker trucks with fresh water. Caught carp on the market does not come immediately - carp meat smell like a swamp and it is still a month will have to swim in special tanks with fresh little water and eat something useful.

Here on the banks of the trailer is already the brazier and beer, you can eat freshly caught and cooked fish. It is possible to buy a live weight.

It is believed that the baked carp on Christmas table will bring good luck in the coming year. However, there is another fashion in recent years - live carp buy, bring home, let him in the bath and so at Christmas, and the next day the fish are on the shore of the Vltava and released. Frankly, I would have done so.