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Willow basket for carrying salmon. Made by Len Till, Chepstow, south-east Wales, 1971.

Frail, commonly known as salmon baskets, used for carrying fish from putchers at low tides. Elongated, oval skeleton basket, split willow stakes bound by willow rings and string, opening at the top to insert salmon once caught from the fishing traps (putchers & putts). Closed with string.

Ancient methods of catching fish survived for a long time in Wales, especially in Monmouthshire. Commercial fishermen in this area used coracles, lave nets, stop nets and woven basket traps (known as putts and putchers) to make a living. These methods were an effective and efficient way of catching fish. Sadly only the lave net has survived into the 21st century.