'Once it's gone, it's gone': the last coracle fishers

How dwindling fish stocks and new regulations are killing off the ancient traditionDusk is falling on the Teifi as Len Walters and his son, Aaron, prepare for another night's fishing. They check off their gear - gumboots, head torch, priest, drift net - before slinging their most essential bit of kit over their backs: a coracle, crafted by hand from willow, hazel and calico."The design on each river is different," Len whispers, trudging down to the darkening riverbank. "The Teifi coracles are different to the Tywi ones, as we have faster water and more rapids. But they're built the same as in the old days, only we don't use cowhide any more because it's too bloody heavy." Continue reading...