Our 2022 season is all about L’encesa, an ancient fishing art from the area of our Marina Alta. We pay tribute to all those encesers who risked their lives every winter night with  the Enceser story. Today chapter 4: My fishery.

“January is coming to an end and I have spent two weeks learning the ancient fishing technique called l’Encesa. I have brought home good money. I get a truce with money issues. I am exhausted, but happy. I don’t have enough life to thank my hosts for this opportunity to fish in their fishery. Now it’s time to find my own fishing area.

After a couple of days of complex searching, I found a small fishery that suits what I need. It is difficult to access, I have to place guides myself to go down, but it is close to my house and there are no other fishing companies around.

My first fishing is not very successful, since most of the time I invest in making the descent more accessible and safer. I take advantage of several projections and cracks to place a rope connected by nailed iron pegs. The space in the fishery is reduced, so the last anchor serves me to tie myself to the cliff by the waist and I have to make a canyís to be able to leave my utensils.

The fishery is small, but it is close to the water and with a ledge on the rock that serves as a shelter for me on untimely nights. It is accessed from the right side, in front to the left is the canyís and at the end of the fishery there is a perfect hole to store the catches in the cabaç.

The second night in my fishery is going great. It’s a crisp, cold February night. And with the first rays of dawn I climb the cliff with more than 15 captured pieces of good value. That morning it will sell well and quickly in the town. I don’t rest, I don’t have time, the illusion and the extra money keep me going.”