JITRA: The people of Kampung Kubang Pasu, near here, have come up with a new way to fish.
Unlike other anglers who fish while standing on the riverbank or from boats, they go fishing on tyre tubes.
Wan Mohd Zain Wan Saad, 44, said they did their fishing in Sungai Bata at weekends during the dry season.
The river is about two kilometres from his home.
“The idea came about during the floods 15 years ago,” he said.
“I normally set up the net and ride the floods on a tyre tube. Since then, I wondered why not fish from a tyre tube instead.
“I then urged my friends to use tyre tubes to fish in the middle of the river. “But, not everyone can balance themselves well on the tubes.
“About 20 villagers, including the younger ones, are able to handle the tubes well while fishing. “Those who can’t have to be content with casting their netsfrom the riverbank. This mode of fishing (from tyre tubes) is very rewarding.”
The administrative officer said he would not eat rice before a fishing trip.
He said it was difficult to keep one’s balance if one was full, and it would be a struggle to cast nets.
Zahid said he could not forget the time when he almost drowned.
“I had dove down to release my net which got entangled on a piece of wood.
“I had just finished when I got entangled in my colleague’s net. “Fortunately, I did not panic and dove deeper down to break free. I could have drowned.” Fadzil Ahmad, 40, said he would salt the fish that he caught and sell them to people living nearby.
“I’m just a rubber tapper with no fixed income. Each time I go fishing, I can get up to 30kg of fish, such as lampam, baung, ikan ubi, sebarau and kaloi.
“Usually, the lampam is made into pekasam (salted fish), which is sold at RM18 to RM25 per kg.
“Alhamdulillah, it supplements my income,” he added.