The joys and sorrows of casting "small nets" on the Lam River.

For those who are dedicated to this profession, despite enduring countless hardships, they persevere and always hope for peaceful waterways so they can earn more income to support their lives.

Mr. Tran Van Huy, residing in residential area 1 of Anh Son town, has been practicing this profession for over 20 years. (Photo: Thai Hien)

Having the opportunity to experience catching catfish on the Lam River with Mr. Tran Van Huy from residential area 1, Anh Son town, I truly understood the hardship and difficulty of this profession. While casting his net and sharing his story with me, Mr. Huy confided that he has been in this profession for over 20 years, and that for him, it is a very challenging and arduous job, requiring a lot of experience, perseverance, and hard work.

To catch those delicious fresh river catfish, the fishermen...fishing professionOn the river, like Mr. Huy, they often use a type of small net, commonly called a "com net," specifically designed to catch this type of fish. Most fishermen on the Lam River know how to weave and use this type of net. The "com net" is woven with nylon thread in a square pattern about 1cm wide, with floats attached to the top and lead weights at the bottom. Each net, when stretched out, is about 50-100 meters long…

To catch fresh river catfish, fishermen often use a type of small-sized net commonly known as a catfish net. (Photo: Thai Hien)

To catch this type of fish, Mr. Huy mainly casts his nets at night and retrieves them the next morning. On average, his family earns between 3 and 4 million VND per month, depending on the day. Despite the hard work and difficulties, this profession brings Mr. Huy much joy because he doesn't fear losses, and he enjoys freedom and independence.

According to Mr. Le Van Nga from Tam Son commune, upstream of the Lam River, who has over 30 years of experience in catching snakehead fish, due to their year-round reproduction, these fish are always abundant and can be caught at any time of the year. However, the most effective and easiest times to catch them are during low water seasons, mainly at night.

Nowadays, due to the widespread use of electric shock fishing and other destructive fishing methods, this fish species has suffered a serious decline. (Photo: Thai Hien)

According to Mr. Nga's experience, to prepare for a fishing trip, it's necessary to thoroughly check the nets beforehand. If any are torn, they must be mended, and neatly arranged so they don't get tangled when cast. Going out at night to cast the nets requires at least two people: one to steer the boat and one to cast the nets. The best places to cast the nets are in still water, near the riverbank. Because the river is vast, after casting the nets, stakes must be driven into both ends to mark and secure them so they don't drift away. After casting, the nets are left to soak until almost dawn before being retrieved.

Although quite arduous, catching snakehead fish provides a decent income. During the peak season, an average net cast overnight by Mr. Nga can yield 3-4 kg of snakehead fish. With the current selling price of 80,000 to 100,000 VND, this brings him around 300,000 to 400,000 VND.

Few understand the hardships endured by fishermen, enduring the sun and rain, and constantly facing dangers that many liken to "gambling" with the "water god." (Photo: Thai Hien)

The job of catching small fish on the river may seem simple, but few understand the hardships endured under the sun and rain, and the constant danger that many liken to "gambling" with the river god. For those who pursue this profession, catching small fish on the Lam River is no easy feat. When night falls, they hastily eat a meal and drink a sip of water to continue their work, or on rainy days, they still have to brave the rain to cast their nets and catch fish. With this type of fish, they must understand its habits: when the fish come ashore to find food, when they swim back to the middle of the river, and which seasons are most abundant. It's an art of fishing, and not everyone knows it.

On average, they catch 5-7 kg of fish each night, and sometimes they strike it rich, catching dozens of kilograms. (Photo: Thai Hien)

According to fishermen who catch this type of fish, in the Lam River, this species used to be abundant. Regardless of the season, simply casting a net overnight would yield an average of 5-7 kg of fish, and sometimes even dozens of kilograms on a good day. Nowadays, due to the use of electric shock fishing and other destructive fishing methods, this species has seriously declined, resulting in inconsistent income…

The best fish to prepare is still the snakehead fish stewed with turmeric. (Photo: Thai Hien)

Currently, in Anh Son district, there are around 50 fishing households scattered along the Lam River in the communes of Tam Son, Dinh Son, Phuc Son, Long Son, and Lang Son, who still pursue the profession of catching snakehead fish on the Lam River. A famous local delicacy, once the fresh snakehead fish are selected, they are used to prepare many delicious dishes such as snakehead fish soup with bamboo shoots, fried snakehead fish, snakehead fish braised in soy sauce… but the most special and delicious is undoubtedly snakehead fish braised with turmeric. According to the people of Anh Son, braised snakehead fish with turmeric not only preserves the delicious flavor of the fish, but the turmeric also helps remove the fishy smell, creates an attractive color, and makes the dish more nutritious.

Although the job of catching fish and shrimp in the rivers of Anh Son district is precarious and arduous, for those who make a living fishing for shrimp and fish, the motivation to stay in the profession is the money earned through hard work to cover daily expenses, the freedom they enjoy, and their connection with nature and the river. After a tiring day of labor, they only hope that the nets pulled up the next day will bring in plenty of shrimp and fish; that is their joy and motivation to continue in the profession.