Day 8 - Fisherman's Wharf
6.45a.m.
The crew of 4 headed for the Yangtze River to test the waters. I bought squid the previous evening as bait. After 1 hour of waiting, there were still no bites. Fishing is all about the right technique and a bit of luck!
Artificial Lure
Tired of waiting, I decided to do something more exciting. I changed my squid bait to an artificial lure, which looks like a live fish swimming. Several times after casting and reeling back in, I saw a huge splash of water, which meant that a big fish is hunting around the area. I tried playing around for a while, but to no avail.
The Anglers
I taught my friends how to cast and reel a fishing rod. After a few failed attempts, my friends managed to perfect it. However, my second artificial lure was too light, which caused my reel to be entangled that looks like a ball of sewing thread! That is what most anglers do not want, as it took me 10 minutes to fix it.
China Fisherman
A towering view of a professional China fisherman.
Equipped with:
Ignorance is Bliss
The man in black has been sitting there even before we arrived! However, time wasn't on our side. An hour and a half later, two men approached and intended to fine us for fishing. Any person fishing at the Yangtze River has to purchase a ticket at $10yuan which lasts for the whole day. Due to our ignorance, the rangers were kind enough to let us off with a warning. How fortunate!
China Dustbin
A stroll back without a fish in hand is worth none on the table. The design of this dustbin has always confused me when I want to discard something obsolete. The blue portion is to discard recyclable items, whereas the yellow portion is to discard non-recyclable items. For instance, if I want to discard a plastic bottle, it may be recyclable in China as they may wash and reuse it. But being brought up in Singapore, plastic bottles are sent for incineration, which is under "non-recyclable".
Street Madness
Dinner has to be good, but littering? NO WAY! The concept here is China is that foods are contained in paper cups, which are flimsy and cheap. After a meal, they would just dispose the cup by tossing it to the other side of the fence. It is very unsightly for foreigners, like myself as it shows their bad habit and culture.
The crew of 4 headed for the Yangtze River to test the waters. I bought squid the previous evening as bait. After 1 hour of waiting, there were still no bites. Fishing is all about the right technique and a bit of luck!
Artificial Lure
Tired of waiting, I decided to do something more exciting. I changed my squid bait to an artificial lure, which looks like a live fish swimming. Several times after casting and reeling back in, I saw a huge splash of water, which meant that a big fish is hunting around the area. I tried playing around for a while, but to no avail.
The Anglers
I taught my friends how to cast and reel a fishing rod. After a few failed attempts, my friends managed to perfect it. However, my second artificial lure was too light, which caused my reel to be entangled that looks like a ball of sewing thread! That is what most anglers do not want, as it took me 10 minutes to fix it.
China Fisherman
A towering view of a professional China fisherman.
Equipped with:
- 20' Foot Fishing Rod
- 6' Foot Rod Holder
- Earthworms
- Secret Recipe to Attract Fish
- And a Whole Lot of PATIENCE!!
Ignorance is Bliss
The man in black has been sitting there even before we arrived! However, time wasn't on our side. An hour and a half later, two men approached and intended to fine us for fishing. Any person fishing at the Yangtze River has to purchase a ticket at $10yuan which lasts for the whole day. Due to our ignorance, the rangers were kind enough to let us off with a warning. How fortunate!
China Dustbin
A stroll back without a fish in hand is worth none on the table. The design of this dustbin has always confused me when I want to discard something obsolete. The blue portion is to discard recyclable items, whereas the yellow portion is to discard non-recyclable items. For instance, if I want to discard a plastic bottle, it may be recyclable in China as they may wash and reuse it. But being brought up in Singapore, plastic bottles are sent for incineration, which is under "non-recyclable".
Street Madness
Dinner has to be good, but littering? NO WAY! The concept here is China is that foods are contained in paper cups, which are flimsy and cheap. After a meal, they would just dispose the cup by tossing it to the other side of the fence. It is very unsightly for foreigners, like myself as it shows their bad habit and culture.
REFLECTIONS
I love exploring and found out the hard way that fishing by the Yangtze River requires a permit. Fishing by designated spots are allowed in Singapore, whereas in China, there are no "No Fishing" signs put up or any warning signs. I observed that they employ different fishing techniques here in China, by using long 20' Foot rods without a reel, whereas in Singapore we cast as far out as we can. It is stunning to discover that it was the Yangtze River I was fishing in, because it looks like a "sea" as it stretches out to the horizon. This is to show how large a river in China can be, as compared to Singapore.
I learn that these China fishermen fish to put food on their table as I asked one of them: "Are you going to eat the fish that you're catching?"
And he replied: "If I don't eat them, then why do I fish for?"
However, the water seemed "dirty & polluted" with dead fishes floating on the surface. But a man still has to eat.
In Singapore, the streets are very clean and green. Although we complain that Singapore is a "fine" city, these fines serve Singapore for the better. The cleanliness and good hygiene practice in Singapore allows people to stay in good health and condition. Whereas in China, couple of my friends are down with stomach upset and slight fever due to the improper hygiene practice.
Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.
-Chinese Proverb
I learn that these China fishermen fish to put food on their table as I asked one of them: "Are you going to eat the fish that you're catching?"
And he replied: "If I don't eat them, then why do I fish for?"
However, the water seemed "dirty & polluted" with dead fishes floating on the surface. But a man still has to eat.
In Singapore, the streets are very clean and green. Although we complain that Singapore is a "fine" city, these fines serve Singapore for the better. The cleanliness and good hygiene practice in Singapore allows people to stay in good health and condition. Whereas in China, couple of my friends are down with stomach upset and slight fever due to the improper hygiene practice.
Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.
-Chinese Proverb
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