Dedicated angler reaps rewards at local fishpond

Fishermen have many different ways of catching fish and of course they want to get as many as possible, whether to feed their family or to sell at a market.
But it’s not easy to land a good catch if you don’t have the necessary equipment and experience, so good skills are vital for success in this game of chance.
One day recently, at least 100 people from a group of villages in Vientiane gathered to try their luck at a large well-stocked fishpond after the village chief gave permission for them to take advantage of nature’s bounty.
The village office levied a charge of 50,000 kip for a group of four to fish in the pond, a fee that many people were willing to pay judging by the large number who turned up with assorted fishing equipment.

A man casts his net into a fishpond in Sang Huabo village, Xaythany district, Vientiane.

Some people used casting nets, others used different types of nets, and some just used their hands to catch fish.
It was a hot day but everyone was happy with their catch and many fish were pulled from the water.
It was a great day to cool off in the water and people’s nets quickly filled with fish. They shouted out to express their delight and many faces were wreathed in smiles. The pond was shallow and the fish were plentiful, making them easy to catch.
A man named Mr Thong Kithong, 42, a resident of Khoksa Art village in Xaythany district, was one of those who brought his fishing net to the pond, hoping to catch fish for his family and to sell at a market.
He said the way you throw your net into the water is important and you must cast it at just the right angle if you want a good catch.
The time of day you fish is also important, he said, because the weather and other conditions affect the behaviour of fish, especially when fishing in a river.
Knowing the best time to fish is essential, along with the best day, he added.
“I paid 50,000 kip for a group of four people to fish in the village pond. We caught more than 20 kilograms of fish, some of which I will sell in the market and some I will cook for my family’s dinner,” he said.
“Today, I’ll make a profit because I paid 50,000 kip but I can sell the fish I caught for 18,000 to 20,000 kip per kilogram. I’m very pleased with my luck and a lot of other people will also profit from their catch.”
Mr Thong said he began fishing at the age of 28, when his angling days began in the Ngum River.
“I like to use a broad net which I cast into the river in just the right way. It’s a challenge but also fun, and it’s very satisfying when I get a lot of fish to feed my family as well as earn some money.”
“I and my son plan to go fishing in ponds in several villages each day. We’ll go in the morning because that’s the best time to fish and then return home at 1-3 pm,” he said.
It’s clear that putting food on the family’s table this way is both cheap as well as being enjoyable, and no doubt many other fisherfolk will be doing the same.

ByViengdavanh Banphahaksa
(Latest Update March 9, 2022)