Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Noodling?

The monsoon had let up for a few days and we were out planting grass on the banks of the pond. The most recent of the rains had just left 14 inches in the last 4 days and we are learning to take advantage of breaks in the weather.
The rice paddies next to me are just showing signs of life. No real water puddles but a lot of plant growth, they won�t plant rice until August. Anyway, I see these two guys walking across the paddies bending down occasionally, digging around in the mud and grass. As they get closer I can see that they are putting something in a basket that one of them is carrying.
We have just come off of the longest drought in the past 12 years, many villagers were out of water and some even lost crops. So what I saw when I walked out to them was a shock to say the least.
They had a good dozen catfish in their basket. They told me they do this every year after the first big rain.

Rad, I love reading about these kinds of things. Keep posting!

Rad that is awsome, what kind of catfish were these?

Big_Pond,
Turns out there were two different kinds of fish, different but similar. Batrachian walking catfish and Striped snake-head fish. Sometimes the names of the fish get mixed up because the local name is different than the common name. But, in this case both are native to Thailand.

Wow, those are both bad news fish..for pond owners...especially the snake heads

There are some noodlers around here too.
That is something I kind of want to try at least once, but also not since beavers can deliver a nasty bite.

BD, my father went noodling once, beavers and snakes was his fear. But he said he got a 15lb flathead and he was so happy that when he came up, he went to lift it for everyone to see. And the sandpaper like jaws ( I dont know the correct term) tore almost all the hide off his hand. He said that was the last time he would ever do that.
And I have heard much worse stories but I dont think many are true.

Rad, I have seen what your talking about on some of the nature shows on animal planet. heheh. This guy just dug a catfish out of a mud hole.

PBS had a special on Noodling last week. I didn't see it but my wife and daughter watched and were kind of amazed. The Mrs. then found this website Okienoodling where you can download the trailer for or buy the DVD of a movie on Noodling. Pretty neat.