Coracle

A coracle is a small, trivial boat used mostly in Wales but also found across a lot of parts of the British Isles. Oval in shape and very connected to half a walnut shell, the structure is made of a framework of split and interwoven willow rods, tied with willow bark. The outer layer was initially an animal skin such as horse or bullocks hide (corium), with a thin layer of tar to make it fully water proof - today replaced by tarred calico or canvas, or simply fiber glass. The structure has a keel-less, flat bottom to evenly extend the weight of the boat and its load across the structure and to reduce the required depth of water - often to only a few inches, making it ideal for use on rivers. Coracles are so light and portable that they can simply be carried on the fisherman's shoulders when taking place to and from his work. Coracle-fishing is perform by two men, each seated in his coracle and with one hand holding the net as with the other he plies his paddle. When a fish is trapped, each hauls up his end of the net until the two coracles are brought to touch and the fish is are then secured.