If you have been in Prague during Christmas time, for sure you have noticed those huge rounded metal tanks full of splashing carps and the locals lining to choose the fish to bring home, sometimes kept in the bath tub until the family Advent dinner. Sometimes these carps receive a nickname by the family as a pet, sometimes they try to escape and, by hitting the water tap, flood the house while the owners are away (it happened to a friend of mine). These lively animals are part of one of the most ancient and typical nutritional and cultural events of the Czech Republic: the so called “výlov”, or “fish harvest”.
The flat countryside around the medieval town of Třeboň in south Bohemia is dominated by dozens of man-made “rybníky “ fishponds part of an intricate and extremely ingenious waterworks network built in the 16th century on the Luznice river by the brilliant Czech engineer Jakup Krcin for the local rulers, the famous noble family Rožmberk.
The flat countryside around the medieval town of Třeboň in south Bohemia is dominated by dozens of man-made “rybníky “ fishponds part of an intricate and extremely ingenious waterworks network built in the 16th century on the Luznice river by the brilliant Czech engineer Jakup Krcin for the local rulers, the famous noble family Rožmberk.
 |  |
The monumental dam of the Rybník Rožmberk , the largest fishpond in the Czech Republic, is lined with old oak trees, a 2400 meters long technical wonder deserving a nomination in the UNESCO Heritage list as home for many endangered species of flora and fauna like the sea eagle and the Eurasian otter.
Together with other 460 fishponds, this area is the kingdom of breeding freshwater fish, the most popular of which being carp (“kapr”), catfish (“sumec”) which can reach biblical proportions, the prelibate “candát” , the aggressive pike (“štika”) and occasionally eel (“úhoř”)
These ponds are harvested every two years, in order to allow the fish to reproduce , and in October – November the “výlov” is unleashed: the ponds are emptied over several weeks thanks to the ingenious network of channels, the professional fishermen on small boat beat the water with sticks to force the fish in the area close to a specific harbour-like area, where they are collected with nets, manually sorted according to species, size and weight (the most valuable being in the range of 2 – 2.5 kg) and gathered in water tank trucks. The fish is then transported to clean water ponds to purify themselves from the murky water and the consequent potentially unpleasant flavour, and get ready to join the Christmas celebrations.
Together with other 460 fishponds, this area is the kingdom of breeding freshwater fish, the most popular of which being carp (“kapr”), catfish (“sumec”) which can reach biblical proportions, the prelibate “candát” , the aggressive pike (“štika”) and occasionally eel (“úhoř”)
These ponds are harvested every two years, in order to allow the fish to reproduce , and in October – November the “výlov” is unleashed: the ponds are emptied over several weeks thanks to the ingenious network of channels, the professional fishermen on small boat beat the water with sticks to force the fish in the area close to a specific harbour-like area, where they are collected with nets, manually sorted according to species, size and weight (the most valuable being in the range of 2 – 2.5 kg) and gathered in water tank trucks. The fish is then transported to clean water ponds to purify themselves from the murky water and the consequent potentially unpleasant flavour, and get ready to join the Christmas celebrations.
 |  |
 |  |
The fishing culture is particularly lively in Bohemia, with dedicated high schools for fishing and ponds´ management and a rich pagan population of water spirits, most notably the “vodnik” or water man popular all over eastern Europe and Russia: as the “Wassermann” or “nix” of German fairy tales, it often means as well the Aquarius zodiac sign. Although depicted as a quite peaceful and meditative, greenish frog-eyed old man covered in algae and muck smoking its long pipe, he can cause havoc breaking dams and destroying water mills. Most dangerously, he enjoys playing melodies to attract people to his underwater dwelling, steal their souls and collect them in jars. The more the “jarred souls”, the bigger his reputation among the “vodniky” population.
During this traditional local event, thousands of people gather from all over the Country to take part (mostly emotionally) in the fervid activities, buy fresh fish and above all to taste the traditional delicacies: breaded carp prepared by the National Champion proudly showing its silver-ish carp trophy, fish nuggets and all possible variations of Czech classics including soups (ideal post-hangover breakfast), gulash and even a decent steak tartar, all fish-based and washed down by copious amounts of the local beer from the traditional brewery "Bohemia Regent" and the ubiquitous “svařák" (Mulled Wine). A generous portion of fried ball-shaped mini-doughnuts topped with fresh blueberry coulis and whipped cream is the jewel of the crown of such bonanza.
During this traditional local event, thousands of people gather from all over the Country to take part (mostly emotionally) in the fervid activities, buy fresh fish and above all to taste the traditional delicacies: breaded carp prepared by the National Champion proudly showing its silver-ish carp trophy, fish nuggets and all possible variations of Czech classics including soups (ideal post-hangover breakfast), gulash and even a decent steak tartar, all fish-based and washed down by copious amounts of the local beer from the traditional brewery "Bohemia Regent" and the ubiquitous “svařák" (Mulled Wine). A generous portion of fried ball-shaped mini-doughnuts topped with fresh blueberry coulis and whipped cream is the jewel of the crown of such bonanza.
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
The best way to emerge from such a party is a short hike or, even better, a bike trip along the scenic ponds back to Třeboň, relax in a cute family-run pension (we enjoyed the marzipan-cake looking “Pohádka”, aptly named “fairy tale”) and have one more round of beer and grilled trout in the atmospheric restaurant “Krčma u Kellyho”, named after the famous alchemists and / or gifted charlatans Edward Kelley and John Dee.
These events go on for the whole autumn in different locations in south Bohemia, like rybník Horusický velký 26 – 29.10, Dvořiště 2 - 5.11, Spolský velký 2 - 3.11, Bošilecký 16 - 19.11.
Info: http://www.trebonsko.cz/rozmberk-je-vyloven-vylovy-2015-pokracuji
These events go on for the whole autumn in different locations in south Bohemia, like rybník Horusický velký 26 – 29.10, Dvořiště 2 - 5.11, Spolský velký 2 - 3.11, Bošilecký 16 - 19.11.
Info: http://www.trebonsko.cz/rozmberk-je-vyloven-vylovy-2015-pokracuji
 |  |
 |  |
RSS Feed
