The Romans were fond of eating fish from the River. Near the castellum Praeturium Agrippinae in Valkenburg a fisherman’s dwelling was discovered.

In gully’s a total of three eel-traps were discovered. One of the traps contained the remains of the bait, the heads and tails of bream. These bream were probably caught using a seine net, a long net that was rown out with a small boot, one side attached to the shore. The net is pulled out in a half circle and retrieved. This was another type of fishing commonly used in Roman times and still practices today.

Near the houses several livewells were discovered along the banks. These consisted of very large wooden crates, the bottom made of wattle. This allowed the fish to be kept alive and fresh till the time came to take them to market. Fish was also smoked to allow it to be kept for a longer period of time. Salting and drying preserved the fish even longer; they were packed in barrels or boxes for transport.

Come visit the fisherman’s house and help weave nets, make traps and fishing spears. Taste a piece of freshly smoked or salted fish.

Also visit Eversham in the Historisch Openlucht Museum Eindhoven