2017 Ethan Hopson
Ancient Fishing Techniques
by Ethan Hopson
For my Hal Tayloe project, I wanted to study ancient fishing techniques, create the tools that were used, and test each tool to see how effective it was. I decided to study the Maori fish hooks of New Zealand, Native American and Native African spear and net fishing, and fly fishing. Some of these fishing techniques are still used today where as others have given way to more modern tools.
The Maori were the first human inhabitants of New Zealand and are well known for their artistic fish hook designs. The Maori were very skilled fishermen and mainly made their hooks from wood and Moa bones. Different shaped hooks were made for catching different fish. For me, making a Maori wooden hook was difficult. It might have been because I had the wrong tools or type of wood. Cutting the shape of my hook out of the wood was the hardest part and took a long time. Sharpening the hook and making it take on its shape was much easier and took only a few days. While fishing I had trouble getting the hook to sink by itself, so I had to add a weight on the line. I have used the hook under different conditions but have not been able to catch anything with it yet. If I had more time I would have tried different types of wood and hook designs.
The fishing spear is a highly effective tool used by many different people worldwide. For me, it was the easiest to make and use. When I first attempted to make this fishing tool, however, I had a lot of difficulties probably related to the type of tree branch I used. After experimenting with other branches I found the gum tree to be the easiest to carve. I used the fishing spear in different environments and found that a shallow body of water to be the best place for this tool. The spear can be made using much more simple tools than the Maori hooks. This is one of the ancient fishing techniques that is still successfully used today.
Net fishing is another technique used by many people around the world. These nets can be made from many different materials including fishing line, rope, and plant fibers. There are many different types of nets that can be used in different ways to catch fish. Making the net is the most labor intensive part of net fishing. I knew I would not have time to make my own net this summer so I used a modern cast net. I thought that the cast net would be very easy to use but there is a certain technique required to cast the net properly. It took a lot practice for me to become proficient, but then I found it to be easy to fish this way. I used the net to fish in different environments and found that it would be effective in large bodies of water no matter how shallow or deep. Net fishing is very effective and very easy. It is used in this day and age in poor communities and also for commercial fishing. Fly fishing has been around for a very long time. It is the art of making an insect like lure and to trick a fish into biting it.
Fly Fishing requires a great deal of patience and practice. Making a fly for fly fishing is the hardest part but is very fun once you take the time to learn how to do it. I used a fly tying kit to learn to make a few simple flies. Once I was comfortable with these, I made more elaborate flies until I was able to develop my own design. Casting in fly fishing and deciding which flies to use also takes practice making fly fishing a very technical way to catch fish. Fly fishing remains a popular sport today.
All of these techniques are efficient in their own way, but some are definitely more effective than others. I think that spear fishing is the best and easiest method I studied, although it takes a lot of stealth and patience to catch a fish. My favorite technique however has been fly fishing. I think the hardest was the Maori hooks. I really enjoyed my project this summer and I look forward to testing out my fly fishing lures in October. I will also keep trying the rest of my fishing tools in new environments. I am very thankful I received this award and am glad I was able to experience it.
by Ethan Hopson
For my Hal Tayloe project, I wanted to study ancient fishing techniques, create the tools that were used, and test each tool to see how effective it was. I decided to study the Maori fish hooks of New Zealand, Native American and Native African spear and net fishing, and fly fishing. Some of these fishing techniques are still used today where as others have given way to more modern tools.
The Maori were the first human inhabitants of New Zealand and are well known for their artistic fish hook designs. The Maori were very skilled fishermen and mainly made their hooks from wood and Moa bones. Different shaped hooks were made for catching different fish. For me, making a Maori wooden hook was difficult. It might have been because I had the wrong tools or type of wood. Cutting the shape of my hook out of the wood was the hardest part and took a long time. Sharpening the hook and making it take on its shape was much easier and took only a few days. While fishing I had trouble getting the hook to sink by itself, so I had to add a weight on the line. I have used the hook under different conditions but have not been able to catch anything with it yet. If I had more time I would have tried different types of wood and hook designs.
The fishing spear is a highly effective tool used by many different people worldwide. For me, it was the easiest to make and use. When I first attempted to make this fishing tool, however, I had a lot of difficulties probably related to the type of tree branch I used. After experimenting with other branches I found the gum tree to be the easiest to carve. I used the fishing spear in different environments and found that a shallow body of water to be the best place for this tool. The spear can be made using much more simple tools than the Maori hooks. This is one of the ancient fishing techniques that is still successfully used today.
Net fishing is another technique used by many people around the world. These nets can be made from many different materials including fishing line, rope, and plant fibers. There are many different types of nets that can be used in different ways to catch fish. Making the net is the most labor intensive part of net fishing. I knew I would not have time to make my own net this summer so I used a modern cast net. I thought that the cast net would be very easy to use but there is a certain technique required to cast the net properly. It took a lot practice for me to become proficient, but then I found it to be easy to fish this way. I used the net to fish in different environments and found that it would be effective in large bodies of water no matter how shallow or deep. Net fishing is very effective and very easy. It is used in this day and age in poor communities and also for commercial fishing. Fly fishing has been around for a very long time. It is the art of making an insect like lure and to trick a fish into biting it.
Fly Fishing requires a great deal of patience and practice. Making a fly for fly fishing is the hardest part but is very fun once you take the time to learn how to do it. I used a fly tying kit to learn to make a few simple flies. Once I was comfortable with these, I made more elaborate flies until I was able to develop my own design. Casting in fly fishing and deciding which flies to use also takes practice making fly fishing a very technical way to catch fish. Fly fishing remains a popular sport today.
All of these techniques are efficient in their own way, but some are definitely more effective than others. I think that spear fishing is the best and easiest method I studied, although it takes a lot of stealth and patience to catch a fish. My favorite technique however has been fly fishing. I think the hardest was the Maori hooks. I really enjoyed my project this summer and I look forward to testing out my fly fishing lures in October. I will also keep trying the rest of my fishing tools in new environments. I am very thankful I received this award and am glad I was able to experience it.
Hampton Roads Academy
©2018-2022 Hampton Roads Academy. All Rights Reserved.