By Bakri Baharom @ Koboi Tunjang

Beautiful Kedah! Miles and miles of rice field – dubbed the Rice Bowl of Malaysia. It is harvesting time again in Koboi Tunjang’s area. The rain has been shying away for a week, and the ‘summer time’ around neighbouring Bukit Tangga is reported to hit 35 degrees C.
 
Pedu, Ahning, Muda and Beris are names of huge dams in Kedah, both for drinking and irrigation – twice a year. It is managed by Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA). The view from the top of Gunung Jerai is breathtaking. Or, you prefer the technological marvel at Rice Museum in Alor Setar – built by Korean Artists showcasing different rice seasons projected in 3D full colour, virtually real from the comfort of a rotating platform.
 
From the mighty Pedu, rivers run all over, even supplying water to Penang. A Swedish construction company, Sentab Svenska, the main contractor that undertook the Kubang Pasu and Pendang districts canals. There is one behind Koboi Tunjang’s house, which the villagers called Sg. Santap (Main Canal). It connects to its tributaries, known as Sungai Muda which ended up in smaller streams which the locals refer to as Parit Gila. How the name was coined remains a mystery.
 
Apart from rice, freshwater fishes are aplenty as far as Koboi Tunjang could remember – an important source of protein for villagers. There are many methods to catch fish. One is the traditional Fishing Rod and hook. The rod is made of a special type of bamboo which is durable but light. The bait used to be a small frog (eg. Katak Minyak), grasshopper or worm. The best is Anak Tebuan Bakar, especially for Puyu. Fishing during nighttime using a rod is known as Mengelau.

Three ‘fishermen’ appearing out of the culvert with their catch. The overnight operation is declared a success.

You may use Casting Net (Jala). It comes in different sizes and lengths. There is another type of net – Pukat. It is like the badminton net submerged in water. There is yet another type of Pukat – Pukat Tarik. It is for all types of fish.
 
Have you heard of Lukah? Belat? Pelompat? Sebilai? Tuaq? Taut? Serkap? Find out the ingenuity that men came up with to catch fish, including at sea. Equally interesting how Eskimos catch fish under ice cover or high-tech tuna hunting in the ocean. It is a great idea to visit Rice Museum in Alor Setar to see their exhibits on tools and other related items.
 
Once a year, about this time, hot and dry spell start, river water supply is stopped until the next season. The fishes seek water holes like culverts underground – it is their final destination. There is one near Koboi Tunjang’s house. The concrete ‘tunnel’ underpasses the dual carriageway – about 30 m in length.
 
A group of 5 villagers deployed 2 petrol pumps to drain out the remaining water in the pool. They started late in the evening and continued the whole night. By sunrise, they were ready to catch the fish by hand or fish net. They set up a makeshift shelter and placed fish boxes on the river bank to sell their catch. By 11.30 am, the job is done. They must have sold a few hundred kg of Haruan, Keli, Belinda, Ubi, Sepat… and even a giant Toman. The activity will repeat next year.
 
Our freshwater fishes are no match compared to exotics from either Sungai Pahang or Sungai Sarawak. A few well-known from the former will set you back by a few hundred Ringgit per kg while our innocent Keli is going for RM10. The only tip is to ask for Keli Lembut rather than Keli Keras.
 
There are two important lessons to share; one we must expose our children in how to fish – not endlessly provide them with fish. Second, as Koboi Tunjang always believe, if we take care of our environment and our rivers, the return is bountiful. Please, No litter!

MAIN PIX: School break activity for these two boys. Apart from helping their father and earning some extra pocket money, it will be one of their best childhood memories