The Watermen
Far from the sea,
Hapsburg’s watermen use very simple boats made of a wooden frame with skins
stretched across it. Although slightly wider than a traditional canoe,
the boats are normally propelled by a single bladed paddle, while the waterman
looks towards the front of the boat. The boat is still narrow enough to
nose its way into reed beds, and it is shallow enough that it can float in just
a couple of inches of water. There are also a number of communally owned rafts that can be used when a larger vessel is
required - rafts are normally poled along
and are slow and unwieldy when
compared to the traditional skin boat. Watermen make living by
catching fish or collecting reeds that are used for thatching, mat
making and basketry.
The Lake provides three types of edible fish:
- Minnows – there are a whole range of
different small fish that are all classified as ‘minnows’. Most eat
planktons that drift around in the clear waters. However all of then can
be caught using fine nets. Two boats working together lay the net around
the shoal and pull it tight. It is not the most effective fishing method
but it does produce a sustainable catch.. Minnows are often used as bait to
help catch other fish, but they can also be coated in batter, fried and
eaten whole, although the ,majority are used to make a strongly flavoured fish
paste which can either be used in cooking or exported.
- Croppie – are medium sized fish, up
to about 15 inches long, that eat small minnows, fish fry, insects and other
small creatures. They are often caught by trolling a line over the stern
of the boat. These fish are generally cleaned and sold fresh in the
market to residents. The firm but light meat from the fish can be fried,
baked or put into a stew successfully.
- Pickerel – Are larger solitary fish that
prey mainly on small fishes including minnows and smaller Croppie. Some
Pickerel are reputed to be huge and able to devour a full grown Croppie in a
single gulp. Pickerel are often served baked whole, but may also be
included in stews. Not suitable for smoking, unused Pickerel is often used,
along with minnows, to make fish paste.
The
watermen’s families live close to the lake in simple huts made of
wattle and daub. A single ground floor room acts as a
living room, work room and kitchen, while curtained sleeping platforms
in the
roof provide basic privacy.
The familes make baskets, hats and mats from the reeds, smoke
Croppies to preserve them and make a rich tasting paste out of the
minnows and left over pickerel. Some smoked croppie is stored in case
of poor catches, but the rest, along with reed goods and the fish paste
is sold locally, or for export. The fish paste is generally used to
give stews a richer flavour, rather than eaten alone.
It is possible to hire a waterman and his boat for 5sp a day – the boat is
capable of carrying a single passenger with a large pack or two people without.