| Fishing has been a part of our survival for as long | | | | In the Columbian basin, ancient tribal salmon |
| as recorded history and probably much longer. | | | | fishers have past down a fishing technique that is |
| Ancient cave paintings from 10,000 years ago | | | | still being practiced today. Tribal families for many |
| depict fishing along with fish bone remains and | | | | generations have built wooden scaffolding that is |
| animal bone hooks. Even ancient stone anchors | | | | very strong and stable that spans the river. This |
| are currently being displayed in museums. | | | | enables them to drop the nets that capture many |
| Everywhere on this planet, what ever culture, | | | | salmon at one time. In the smaller rivers of the |
| each has its own history in fishing and techniques, | | | | basin, dip nets are used because you can control |
| most of which are still used today. In fact, almost | | | | them better. These nets historically have been |
| all ancient cultures have used boats, hooks, nets | | | | made with hemp twine, sinew and tree pitch. |
| and spears of some kind. | | | | These nets have a long pole attached to them |
| The ancient Romans used rods and lines, nets and | | | | and one stands in the water and scoops up the |
| spears. The ancient Greeks used rods and woven | | | | fish. |
| baskets and woven cages that stay under water | | | | In medieval Europe, V shaped structures were |
| where caught fish are kept alive until they are | | | | built to herd fish into waiting nets. |
| needed. | | | | Some cultures have used poisonous plants to stun |
| Some cultures have been more creative than | | | | fish so that it is easy to catch them. This is a |
| others and have very interesting techniques such | | | | dangerous practice and has been made illegal to |
| as the night fishing in Japan. It is called cormorant | | | | fish this way due to the obvious safety issues. |
| fishing. It requires 7 to 8 cormorant birds that | | | | One does not want to risk eating a fish that has |
| have handlers to train them. Once trained, they | | | | been poisoned. |
| go out at night on a long narrow boat that has a | | | | Fishing today is not only for survival but is a huge |
| long rod in front of it with a hanging basket that is | | | | sport all over the world. But when you really look |
| in flames, the birds are each on a leash and are | | | | at it, not much has really changed in how we fish. |
| trained to dive down and catch fish, which they | | | | The major difference really is in the |
| are experts in. This technique is still being | | | | advancements made in hooks and nets. |
| practiced today and if you are for any reason | | | | How ever you fish, may the ones you catch be |
| going to Japan, you may want to sign up to see | | | | as big as the ones that got away. |
| this phenomenon. | | | | |