Putcher
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Putcher is a type of fish trap.
A putcher is a fish (especially salmon) trap in the form of a conical-shaped basket, similar in appearance to a five-foot ice-cream cone. Putchers are placed in rows, standing four high, in a wooden `rank' set out against the ebb tide. [1]
This method of fish capture is peculiar to the River Severn and is believed to be of prehistoric design.
Traditionally the putcher was made of hazel rods with withy (willow) plait, both materials being grown locally on the Caldicot and Wentloog Levels.
Modern baskets made of steel wire were introduced in the 1960s.
A history of the salmon fishing at Goldcliff may be found at Goldcliff Fisheries.
