PEARL-FISHING cont..

.......When they caught one, they would put their finger in andfeel all around to see if there were any lumps or bumps– the shell would only be half-open so that they wouldn’t kill it. After they had checked, they would put a score on the shell and throw it back, the score was so that the next person going fishing would know that there was nothing in it and they wouldn’t have to open it.
Why…
They did it because at that time most Travellers did it. It was for work – good experiences – meet up with other Travellers. It was good for the whole family to go in the river and have a laugh. It was a sport, work, communication with everybody – they were mixing business with pleasure.
When…
Always in good weather – not when the river was too rough. They used to go in January – travel to different rivers and come home about October.
Where…
Mostly the River Spey, but there was plenty other rivers to pearl-fish as well.

Photos of Pearl Fishing equipment. Video of Pearl fishing