Fishing Colony: art and simplicity

Fishermen's lives aren't just sun and wind. They rise at about 4 am, when the winds are still weak, go to the beach and prepare their boats for another day of fishing. That is, if the winds aren't too strong. In Búzios, according to natives, it is windy 300 of the 360 days of the year. So, they have to go anyway. The boats are small, so they are quite vulnerable to the waves. These fishermen travel almost one hour every day, from the Canto Beach until reaching the Âncora, Gravatá and Ilhota islands, which are the best places for hook fishing. According to Manoel Sampaio, who is a fisherman since 1949, fishing on very windy days is only possible with a net. And he gives advice to anyone wanting to venture into the world of fishing: "you have to know where the wind comes from, or else you can't catch anything". The most common fish in the region are Porgy, Jacks and Anchovies. The lobster catchers have less work. They go to where the lobsters are, set the nets or drop the traps, which stay the whole night waiting for the lobsters. During the morning they will be brought up, with 20 to 40 lobsters. September is the worst month for fishing, due to the strong winds. Manoel completes: "there are no lobsters only during the running, in other words, when they don't come to the beach The Fishermen Colony is well organized. The members pay R$ 5.00 per month and have medical service and are registered at the Port Captains Office. The colony at Rua das Pedras also offers reading and writing schools. The teachers are nominated by the city. The house also offers English classes at night, which are directed to the fishermens' children. Other activities are also done by the participants, such as a chorus of local fishermen, who do presentations on weekends. On Saturdays, the fishermens' families organize a crafts fair at the colony, offering all kinds of products, mainly decorations made with sea shells and rocks. The most important party of the fishing colony is São Pedro (Saint Peter's), on June 29. The statue of Our Lady of Santana leaves from the chapel of the fishing patron saint and is taken to a boat. The fishermens' boats are decorated with colored flags and leave on a procession that lasts the whole day. During the afternoon, the boat that carried the statue stops at the deck and a crowd follows the statue back to the church. Since the party is during vacation time, the city is full of tourists from all parts of the world. At the colony you can hire a boat to fish or ride around the region Those wishing to go fishing have the option of a fishing boat tour. On the boat, the visitor has the opportunity to fish next to experienced fishermen, while enjoying some comfort. Brazilians, Argentineans and Italians are the main clients that enjoy the caipirinha that is served on board. By the end of the fishing trip, you can get from 10 to 20 fish per hour. Service: Colônia de Pesca do Centro (Downtown Fishing Colony) Rua das Pedras, 141 - Downtown Tel. +55(22) 623-4516 / 9211 4723