THE Black Rock Lave Net fishermen will hold their end of season open day this weekend, giving people a chance to learn about the traditional craft.

Taking place tomorrow (Saturday, August 27) from 1pm to 5pm at the Black Rock picnic site, there will be an exhibition, demonstration and screening of a film about lave nett fishing.

ALTHOUGH the Severn Estuary waters can be dangerous, a group of fishermen regularly brave the waters to catch salmon using traditional methods.

Lave fishing is one of the few traditional Welsh fishing methods to still be used today, and fishermen say it is now only practised in the Second Severn Crossing area.

Fishermen go out at low tide, holding a staff in one hand attached to a net is held in front of the body. Through the net, the fishermen feel for water movement and if they feel a fish may be near, they lift up the staff, hopefully netting a salmon.

The season lasts from June to August before the neap tides approach. The fisherman will also be active on Tuesday August 30 and Wednesday August 31 for a final time and anyone wishing to get involved can go a long to spectate.

Martin Morgan of the lave net fishermen, said: “We have been fishing since last Tuesday and are now coming towards the end of our season. It’s been a very good season and people will be able to exhibit our film of how we go lave net fishing.

“There are only eight of us that are allowed licences and we each make our own net in the traditional method. We had a stall at the Eisteddfod and the interest we experienced was amazing, once in a lifetime, so hopefully that will get even more people to come down.”

Mr Morgan added: “Although we only have eight licences they are often rotated as it takes up a lot of time and to give new people a chance to have a go, so if people want one then the open day is a good time to register some interest.”

Prizewinning fishermen will also be presented with the Bob Leonard cup for the first salmon caught and the Doug Brown shield for the biggest salmon.

Refreshments will be available for everyone on the day, for more information visit http://bit.ly/29UP7cH