Several Rishi communities, including Nizampur, Jhina, Khoteshwar and Krishnapur-Malanchi, in the upazila are famed for crafting the finest fishing gear, mostly of bamboo, cane fibre and nylon rope. The sale of kholshani a traditional fishtrap in Naogaon’s Atrai upazila has picked up as the prolonged flood converted vast swathe of fields in the district into open-water fishing pockets. During the monsoon season, even amid the plight of the inundation, people can enjoy a bit of fishing in the surrounding areas using various fishing nets and spears. But for a sure catch, one can place a fishtrap like kholshani across the path of the fish, and pull it up after a few hours. The night is usually the best time for such a hunt. Several Rishi communities, including Nizampur, Jhina, Khoteshwar and Krishnapur-Malanchi, in the upazila are famed for crafting the finest fishing gear, mostly of bamboo, cane fibre and nylon rope. These fishing gear start appearing at the weekly markets of Ahsanganj, Kashiabari, Sutkigachha, Paikora, Bojropur, Bandhaikhara, Mirzapur-Bhabanipur areas in the upazila when the floodwater starts receding, leaving the landscape dotted with beels (natural water bodies) full to the brim with water and fish. The monsoon flood this year has virtually transformed the low-lying areas of the district into large fishing pockets, and nothing better than the rising sale of kholshani at the markets reflects the scenario more vividly. Talking to the Dhaka Tribune at Bhabanipur’s weekly market, Sudipto Ray noted that sales are already on the rise, and will continue so with the recession of the floodwater. Sudipto, along with eight to 10 other craftsmen of the Rishi community, now move from one weekly market to another to sell kholshani. Each craftsman sells five to six kholshani each day. The prices vary within the range of Tk100-300, according to the size of the trap. Traders from nearby northern districts also frequent the markets to buy kholshani at the fag end of monsoon. Emtiaz Hossain, a trader from Natore, said he had travelled the distance as there is a high demand for kholshani made in Atrai.