Fishing is one of the biggest economies in the beautiful island nation of Sri Lanka. If you take a trip along the coast here you’ll see a form of fishing that’s very, very different to what your Old Man taught ya. Stilt fishing as it’s called, is an art that masters fishing and balancing at the same time.
Experience It For Yourself
The best destination to see stilt fishermen would be the Southern Coast in towns like Galle, Beruwala and Weligama. Some hotels like the Tamarind Hill by Asia Leisure include a stilt fishing experience as a part of their experiences. Even if your hotel doesn’t do so, make sure to try it out for its a really cool experience, especially amongst things to do in Galle.
How Old Is It?
Stilt fishing is a traditional method of fishing in Sri Lanka that has been used since the time of the World War II. This traditional art of fishing received a blow when the devastating tsunami struck in 2004. However, thanks to the booming tourist industry, stilt fishing has found its popularity once again.
Not As Easy As You Think
When you see the fishermen sitting on the stilts and fishing, you might think “oh that looks so easy, I bet I could do that!” Yeah well, it’s not. In addition to concentrating on the getting a catch, the fishermen also need to focus on maintaining their balance and to do both takes a lot of skill as well as patience. A crossbar is attached to the vertical pole to make a “seat” that’s about a couple of meters above the water. This distance means that the shadow of the fisherman is not cast over the water, avoiding any disturbance of the sea life.
Amazing Photographic Opportunities
Part of the whole stilt fishing experience that we mentioned earlier also includes a photography opportunities where you can take a picture of your daring fishing to show off to your friends and fam at home. Stilt fishermen are such a popular subject of photography that the world-famous photographer, Steve McCurry made it the theme of his much acclaimed capture in 1995.
Filled with wanderlust that seeks to explore distant shores and captivated by the colors and vibrancy of exotic cultures, Kanya Mae writes on the beautiful, exciting, and enchanting wonders of the world. She is a writer who not only has a passion for travel, but also has a background in fashion, art and media. Google+
