One legged Rower at Inle Lake

Since the lake is shallow and also over grown with weeds and algae, normal fishing methods are not option. Therefore, the sons of the lake have come up with a technique of their own. The Intha go out fishing with a conical, woven bamboo basket between 7 and 9 feet long, using one foot to steady their oar in order to have a hand free. If small bubbles or under water movments become visible on the mirror like surface of the lake, the fishermen shave their huge bamboo baskets in that direction, down to the lake bottom. Then, they poke around inside baskets with the long stick to frighten any fish who might be caught inside.

Inside the basket is a net attached to metal rings and the fisherman holds in its such a way that he can feel if there are any fish inside. If there are he lets the net drop and with the combination of still and a little luck, the fish is trapped in the net, within the rings. Often, several man will fish in the group maneuvering in their boats in ever narrower circle in order to force the fish into the middle.