Fishing with net fishing gear on high-current rivers is a complex engineering and tactical process that requires fishers not only physical endurance, but also a deep understanding of hydrodynamics. Unlike lake fishing or pond fishing, where water stands or moves barely, the river stream dictates its own rigid rules of the game. Wrong staging It can cause the net to just fold into a lump at the bottom or to hang around in the middle of the water column, leaving the fish indifferent. Experienced fishermen know that 80 percent of the success of an operation depends on prior preparation and strategy.
There are many nuances that beginners often overlook when relying on luck. anchor-cargoAnd if you're going to master this method of fishing, you have to forget about the rush and the rush, and every movement has to be calibrated, because the river doesn't forgive mistakes, especially when you're in a light boat, and there's a huge flow of water overboard.
In this article, we will go into detail about the entire process, from the selection of a location to the lifting of the catch, we will discuss how the network behaves under water, why it is important to consider the direction of the wind and how to maneuver the boat correctly. Knowledge of local fishing rules is critical, as in many regions the installation of nets from a boat during the spawning period or in the fairway is strictly prohibited. Remember that legalizing your activities is the first step to a relaxed fishing experience.
Selection of location and analysis of flow before staging
The first and most important step is to look at the waters carefully, and you can't just stand across the river and hope for a miracle, but you have to find a site where the current has a stable structure, without the sudden swirls and backflows that can confuse the net before you start fishing, and the ideal place is flat-bottomed, or gentle dumps, where fish go along the shore looking for food. Current analysis It should be carried out visually by the movement of algae or with the help of special devices, if we are talking about deep-sea fishing.
Fishers often make the mistake of choosing places with too fast flow, believing that there are more fish. In fact, most fish species avoid places with extreme water speed, preferring to stay on the edge of the jet and calm water. You need to find this border. Also worth paying attention to the presence of bottom relief: snags, rocks or sharp changes in depth can cause the loss of expensive gear. echoer In this case, it becomes an indispensable assistant, allowing you to "see" the bottom before staging.
⚠️ Attention: It is strictly forbidden to install networks in places of navigation, on the fairway or in the immediate vicinity of hydroelectric power plants and locks, this not only violates the law, but also poses a direct threat to your life and the integrity of the vessel.
When choosing a location, also consider the direction of the wind. If the wind blows against the current, the water forms a steep, dangerous wave that can turn a light boat over at the most critical moment. If the wind blows along the stream, the wave is flat, but the speed of the boat's drift increases, which requires heavier anchors. The best option is a lateral wind or complete calm when the water is "mirror".
Preparation of gear and equipment for work
The network cannot be successfully installed without proper preparation of all equipment, and the network must be properly matched for the size of the mesh and length to match the target species and the width of the river. float-cord And the cargo rebounds: they should be intact, without scuffing and tearing. Be sure to untangle all possible knots before leaving, as it will be extremely inconvenient and dangerous to do this on the water.
You'll need to pay special attention to the anchor system, and for rivers with ordinary rocks or light cargo, you'll need special anchor systems. cat anchor or heavy loads with hooks that are guaranteed to keep the net at the bottom even when the flow is increased, the buyrep (ropes tied to buoys) should be bright in color, visible from afar, and have a sufficient margin of length, taking into account the possible rise in the water level.
☑️ Equipment check
Keep the boat safe. All loads must be evenly distributed so as not to disturb stability. The engine must be in good working order and the gas tank full. jack-horn for network tightening and knife with a fixed blade on the lace, which should always be on the fishing belt in case of emergency entanglement.
Technique of setting the network across and along the flow
There are two main ways to install a network on a river: across the river and along it. The choice of method depends on the width of the river, the strength of the flow and the behavior of the fish. Cross-current (perpendicular to the shore) is considered more effective for migratory routes of the fish, but requires more accuracy. In this case, the boat moves across the river, gradually pitting the net. The main task is to prevent the current from demolishing the boat downstream faster than the net descends.
When you set up along the current (parallel to the shore), you put a string on the net, repeating the curves of the coastline, and this is good on wide rivers, or when the fish are held in a particular jet. driftIf you swim too fast, the net will stretch and break; if it's too slow, it will get entangled under the boat. It should be smooth, at minimum engine speed.
| Parameter | Staging across | Staging along | Combination |
|---|---|---|---|
| Efficiency | High (overshoots the path) | Medium (catching along) | Maximum |
| Complexity | High (demolition control required) | Low (easier to maneuver) | Very high. |
| Time-consuming | Medium. | Low. | Highly |
| Risk of confusion | Medium. | Low. | Highly |
In both cases, it's critical to keep the sequence going, first the anchor with the bayrep is thrown, then, as he moves in the right direction, the fisherman turns the net against him, making sure it lies flat, and completes the process of mounting the second anchor. Koss (the upper part of the net) should be stretched by floats, and picking (lower) - lie on the bottom or hang in the floes, depending on the setting.
The secret to the perfect production
Experienced fishermen use the fan technique, and they start off from the shore, and they start upstream, describing the arc, and this allows the net to spread out into the perfect plane under the current, rather than hanging in a bag, and the angle of entry into the water should be minimal, so that the net doesn't close immediately.
Boatwork and Maneuvering in High Flow
The boat is a top-of-the-line aerobatics in aquatics, and you have to control course, speed and gear at the same time, and when you're going through a strong current, you're going to be constantly demolishing the boat, and your job is to compensate for that demolition with the engine or the oars, and if you're putting the net across, you're going to keep the nose of the boat upstream or at an angle so that the current doesn't spin you.
Use of use transom-wheel Some anglers use a two-anchor scheme, one with a nose and one with a stern, allowing the boat to be fixed at the right point before the net is ejected, but in the fast-flowing, this can be dangerous because of the risk of tipping over if the boat is placed on board to the wave.
It's important to remember the three-point rule: you, the motor and the net must be in harmony. Never work with the net if the boat is unstable. It's better to lose time to reposition than to get injured or lose gear. outboard Make sure that the network does not accidentally hit the screw, which can lead to an emergency stop at the most inopportune time.
⚠️ Attention: Never wrap a buyrep or parts of a net on your arm or body! With a sudden jerk of the current or hook, this can lead to serious injuries or even drowning. Use gloves and special hooks.
Frequent Beginner Mistakes When Installing Networks
Analysis of unsuccessful fishing shows that most problems arise from trivial rushes and disregard for basic rules. One of the most common mistakes is to put the net alone on an unfamiliar river without prior exploration, which often leads to the net falling into accordion or clinging to driftwood that has not been seen from the surface.
Another common problem is that the buyrep length is not calculated correctly, and if it is too short, when the water level rises (which is often the case with rivers due to hydroelectric power or rain), the network will be at a depth that is not accessible to lift, or the buoys will sink, and if it is too long, the network will hang around and it can be carried away by the current far from the installation site. Hydrodynamics It requires precision in calculations.
- 😱 No marking: Forgetting to put bright buoys or not securing them securely means losing the net forever, and other anglers may simply miss it and cut it with a screw.
- 🌪️ Ignoring the wind: An attempt to set up a net in a strong side wind often ends up getting tangled around the boat before it touches the water.
- ⚓ Weak anchors: The use of too light cargo leads to the fact that the network “crawls” along the bottom, collecting garbage and getting entangled in the driftwoods.
- 🔪 Bad knife: Lacking a sharp knife on hand in case of emergency entanglement can cost you a tackle or even a boat.
Always carry a spare set of buoys and bayrep. Losing one buoy from a cliff is a common occurrence, and without it, finding a net in the dark or fog will be almost impossible.
Raising the net and catching
The process of lifting the net (sampling) is often even more time-consuming than installing it. On the river, the net experiences tremendous water pressure, so you need to pull it evenly, without any sudden jerks. The best thing to do is to pull the net to the boat by picking a buyrep, and then, coming close, start sampling the net itself. If the catch is large, the net can become very heavy, and there is a risk of scooping the water on board.
When sampling, it is important to immediately release the fish from the cell. If the fish is very entangled, use the fish. yawner Or work your fingers carefully, trying not to damage the gill covers if you plan to release part of the catch (although in net fishing this is rarely possible without harming the fish). Large fish should be placed immediately in a cage or on a kukan, so that it does not fight in the boat.
Once removed, the net must be thoroughly washed in water, free of algae and debris, and then put in a bag or on a coil. Wet nets have the ability to rot quickly, especially if they are made of natural materials, so drying and proper preservation are mandatory. Capron networks They are more durable, but they also require care.
The secret to long-term nets is to dry them thoroughly after every fishing trip, and the wet net, folded in a bag, loses strength and acquires an unpleasant smell that scares away the fish.
Safety and legal aspects
Fishing on the river from a boat is always risky. Current, cold water, being able to catch a snag or to meet another vessel require constant vigilance. Having life jackets on all passengers is not a formality, it is a necessity. Even an experienced swimmer may not be able to cope with the current if he is pulled under the net or electrocuted (in the case of contact with underwater cables, which happens with illegal methods, which we do not talk about, but which are dangerous).
The legal aspect is also not to be ignored: Russia and many other countries have strict fishing regulations, no-go periods (spouting), no-go zones (near bridges, dams, in nature reserves), and restrictions on net types (cell size, length) and use of nets often requires special permission (vouchers) or is prohibited for recreational fishing, and violating these rules entails heavy fines and confiscation of gear.
What documents are needed for legal fishing networks?
Legal fishing by nets usually requires a registered permit issued by the fishery protection authority and permission to use specific fishing gear. In most cases, amateurs are allowed to fish only with fishing rods. Check the current fishing rules for your river basin on the official website of the Federal Fisheries Agency.
Can I put a net on at night?
Night netting is often prohibited by fishing regulations, as it is considered a poaching method, and at night, the risk of collision with other vessels and loss of orientation increases dramatically. If the rules of your region allow night fishing, the presence of bright signal lights on the boat and buoys is mandatory.
What to do if the network is entangled in the snags?
Don't pull hard! Try to pick a slack carefully and get closer with a bump. If the net is stuck dead, it's sometimes easier to cut off the bottom pick (if the design permits) to get the net out than to pull and tear it completely, but it's better to avoid those places beforehand.
In conclusion, putting a net on a river is an art that requires experience, physical strength and respect for nature, and only by balancing the desire to catch fish with the preservation of the environment and laws, you can enjoy this ancient fishing for years to come.