Bamboo River Fish

Bamboo River Fish

　　Bamboo River Fish

　　The Bamboo River, a major tributary of the Han River, originates from the deep mountains in the southern part of Zhushan County at the junction of Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Hubei provinces. Flowing broadly from south to north, it carves out crystal-clear, richly flavored waters. Along its course, it gathers the lush greenery of countless peaks, valleys, pines, cypresses, and bamboos shrouded in mist, as well as the fragrant intermingling of plum, orchid, chrysanthemum, peony, and wild vines along both banks. It surges forward with the vibrant essence of mountain light and water hues, flowing with the exceptional beauty of gullies, cliffs, and valleys, nurturing a variety of Bamboo River fish.

　　Bamboo River fish, under the bright sun’s crispness and the clarity of crisp autumn air, intertwine and sway into a rainbow of red, white, cyan, clear yellow, blue, and purple—the rainbow of fish. Speaking of red, there are red carp, red silver carp, moon-red, and the pink-and-green intertwined peach blossom fish; speaking of white, there are white silver carp, white crucian carp, and white large slices (known locally in Wuchang or Zhushan as bianyu or flatfish); speaking of cyan, there are black carp, shi fish, and herring; speaking of yellow, there are eel, mandarin fish, and softshell turtle (old turtle / including those with red or green fuzz); speaking of purple and black, there are bighead carp, qiu fish, and the amphibious Chinese giant salamander (commonly known as the baby fish / a protected species). And then there are even stranger ones, such as the “cave fish” that fly out from the “Echoing Fish Cave” halfway up the mountain in the Guandu River section of Lv tou Gorge...

　　≌The origin of these cave fish is unknown—no one knows how many years they’ve existed. The people living along the Bamboo River only know that every year after the lunar New Year’s Thunder Festival, once the spring thunder sounds, the fish in the caves seem to suddenly awaken from sleep. Riding the peach blossom spring flood and the June torrents, they gush forth from the caves halfway up the mountain, cascading down in spectacular, unusual fish waterfalls. No need for fishing rods, no need for nets—just pole a boat equipped with baskets and crates, and moor it at the waterfall-like cave mouth on the river surface. Then joyfully “welcome” them...

　　According to legend, after the ancient state of Yong (the predecessor of Zhushan) was destroyed by the Chu Kingdom, the surviving Yong people (ancestors of the people of Zhushan) fled to the cave with large quantities of dried fish to escape annihilation. When their dried fish supply was nearly gone, the remaining pieces absorbed moisture from the damp cave and miraculously revived, rapidly multiplying to feed the Yong people and prevent their extinction. Later, to show gratitude for the fish that saved their lives, the Yong people named the fish “bighead carp.”

　　Fish (except for the poisonous ones) seem naturally destined to be food for humans. Observing their appearance is secondary; what matters most is savoring their flavor.

　　Why is Bamboo River fish so renowned for its tender quality and delicious taste?

　　That’s because, if you go upstream from Zhushan County along the river, heading south all the way, you’ll find that the upper reaches of the Bamboo River largely retain their pristine green ecological environment. Bamboo River fish breathe the freshness of mountain winds, dew, and mountain charm; they inhale and exhale the purity of thousands of streams and springs converging; they bathe in the verdant shadows of pines and bamboos and the fragrance of wildflowers and grasses covering the hillsides; they swim in the tranquility of “moonlight filtering through pines, and clear springs flowing over stones...” In short, Bamboo River fish are untouched by industrial exhaust or modern waste pollution. Therefore, when eating Bamboo River fish, first in terms of smell, from surface to core—even their internal organs—they carry not a trace of toxic gases or liquids, nor the muddy stench or foul odors of fish raised near urban rivers, lakes, or ponds. Bamboo River fish possess the freshness of mountains and waters, the refined spirit of mountain light and water hues—so what you taste is freshness, tenderness, aroma, and deliciousness.

　　The people of Zhushan not only love eating Bamboo River fish, but also enjoy “playing” with them during festivals. Especially during the Spring Festival and Lantern Festival, the rhythmic beats of “Huangzhou” drums, accompanied by the melodious sounds of flutes, pipes, and huqin, parade through the streets. What they play with (lanterns) are four types of fish (lanterns) from the Bamboo River: silver carp, catfish, crucian carp, and black carp. These four fish embody the beautiful wishes of the people of Zhushan, taking the homophonic meanings of the fish names: “year after year of celebration”! This is likely a timeless blessing left by ancestors who endured years of war and famine, hoping future generations will never forget.

　　Alright, dear readers, as you have the good fortune to taste Bamboo River fish, I wish you an abundance of good luck—“may you have surplus every year and celebrate joyfully year after year”!