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Woven willow and hazel cone-shaped salmon trap. Made by Wyndham Howells, Chepstow, south-east Wales, 1964. Used to catch salmon on the Severn Estuary.

Putchers like this were made by the fishermen during the winter months. 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.