Fishermen and their lives
It's an exiting experience, when walking or cruising along the river, to see fishing done with their birds!
Cormorant fishing is a traditional life style for the fisherman of the Li River. This art is still practiced today among the fishermen who dwell on the Li and earn their living from fishing.
The cormorants are trained to dive into the river among the school of fish that live in the clear water. After catching a fish the birds return to the boat where the fisherman removes the fish from the bird. The bird is prevented from swallowing the fish by a ring that is placed around the neck of the bird. The bird is rewarded for its work by its owner.
Bamboo Raft
A bamboo rafts used by the cormorant fisherman are made by tying five thick bamboo poles together. It is also a most economical means of transportation for the fisherman.
Fishing Net
Fishermen on the Li River use several different types of fishing nets depending the depth and flow of the river and the habits and characteristics of the fish.
Cormorant
A cormorant is an excellent fish catcher. A good cormorant can catch as many fish as three smart fishermen.
See them work
In the evening you can join a group and head for the River. The Fuli town is the best place for the tour. You board a local wood sampan and join the fishermen who use the smaller rafts. You will marvel at the dexterity of the birds. You may even have a picture taken with the bird that catches the biggest fish of the night.