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Click to view the complete Shadow Nettes Manual.
The Shadow Nettes Manual was anonymously donated to the care of filmmaker Phillip Barker by one of the few remaining Shadow Nette Fishrs of The Erie Valley. It describes an ancient fishing method that was in use during 'the Post Industrial Age between the Felting Decade, and the Years of Abandonment'. (1) |
The Shadow Nette is a traditional fishing device that projects the silhouette of the fisherman. The "fishr" assumes archetypal (and highly guarded secret) poses of virility that display their strength and ability. It is these projections that attract the innocent prey, drawing them close to be captured in nets.
Shadow Nettes is a 17.25 minute film that follows Da, a Shadow Nette Fisherman as he attempts to teach the operation of the device to his teenage son. |
| The director and crew were given special permission to observe the fishing family and witness the strange rituals, while capturing them on film for the first time. |
| Some parts of the most secretive rituals were off limits, and have been recreated by the film makers, based on sketches and notation. |
| The film's musical score is based on petroglyphic musical notations discovered at the site by composer Tom Third. To simulate the resonance of the landscape, the 'music' was performed on a de-tuned viola by music historian Sarah Shugarman. |
The use of Shadow Nettes became popular amongst single men, widowers, and those fishrs left behind during the Felting Decade that drew many wyfs and single ladyes to the major cities. It was around this time when Shadow Nette Fishing became known as Wyfmaid fishing. Agents were dispatched from the felting industries to gather proof to support rumours that men were 'fishing for a wyf', but as no proof surfaced, these stories were written off as completely mythical. (2)
(1,2) from "A Proper Guide to the Construction, Maintenance and Operation of Deep Water Shadow Nettes with Illustrated Gestures and Stances for Fishers"
This booklet, believed to be the only one in existence, was typeset by 'Master S. Scoffield', and the drawings are by 'Miss T. Shaine', both were employees of the South Huron Fisheries at the time of publication. Some pages were missing or illegible. |
Land leased to The South Huron Fisheries (Felting Decade to the Years of Abandonment)
© Shadow Nette Preservation Society and PB Inc.
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