Ice fishing on Lake Pyhajärv

What seems natural to us northerners may be exotic to others from the southern hemisphere. Like ice fishing, which is popular both in Finland and in Estonia, not to mention in Russia.

Personally I have never understood the magic of sitting on ice for hours looking into a small hole waiting for the fish to catch.

But it is a popular pastime, and quite many  fishermen are passionate about it. Ice fishing is like religion or meditation to them. And there are also hundreds of beliefs and fishermen's well protected secrets as to what kind of methods and baits one should use for the best result. It is an eternal battle between the sly fish and the cunning fisherman.

So it is no wonder that we have a big ice fishing festival in Otepää at the Lake Pyhajärv (Holy Lake) every year. Thousands of people gather on  ice, some fishing, some following the contest called The Golden Fish.

The rules of The Golden Fish are: before the competition 130 small fishes are marked with little tags and then set free in the lake. It is then fishermen's task to catch these particular fishes. One of them carries a tag that promises the winner one kilo of 14 K gold if ever caught.

The Golden Fish is not just a competition, it is a carnival where everyone is having a good time. Alcohol is consumed in large quantities, mainly hot rum or mulled wine. There is a band playing and people are dancing outdoors. Funny hats and wigs are popular, some people are dressed as animals or other creatures. And children and dogs are included in the crowd, all enjoying the day outdoors.

Today we had the annual Golden Fish festival, and I took a few photos of the big day:

Thousands of people gather on ice for the carnival

Children having fun of their own

There are small booths and stands selling all sorts of articles connected to fishing and winter

Girl selling roasted chestnuts and home made candy

There are different styles of luring the fish

The weather is pretty cold, around -12c but the sun shines most of the time

Alcohol is consumed in large quantities to keep both body and soul warm

The band is playing - the singer Sepo Seeman is a well-known actor in Estonia

And people have fun

Girls smiling at the camera

Funny hats and silly wigs are in style

It is OK to show a little affection at the carnival

Someone has caught a big perch

Fishes that are not qualified for the competition are grilled

Children have their own competitions, like here: skiing with only one ski

So the day goes by with fun and fishing. The Golden Fish stays in the lake and the kilo of gold remains unclaimed - but other fishes bring prizes to the competitors. The biggest prize being, however, the overall good feeling that the carnival gives to people on this cold Saturday in February.