The fishermen of Pokhara from the podas and dyolas castes craft their own nets for fishing out of the stems of the stinging nettle (sisnurtica dioicaI: family - urticaceae) found in the high altitudes of the mountains to the north of Pokhara in west Nepal.
These hardy and strong nets are used by the fishermen to catch fish in small ponds and rivers. Though primitive, these highly durable nets have many advantages as they give many years of service since they are easily repairable; they have a wide spreading range when cast and the colour of the net provides easy camouflage against the water - unlike the shining nylon nets these do not frighten the fish. |
