“But people overate the salmon, in historical written records it is even stated that the poor woman changed the days of the week when she does not want salmon on her menu,” says the owner of the Bohdaneč Pond Farm, Adolf Vondrka.
However, carp was rare. Even before the development of pond farming in Bohemia, this type of fish only made it to the man’s table.
Fish farming was a huge business
Fish farming was a huge business five hundred years ago. Thanks to this, carp became domesticated in our country and began to reach the tables of poorer people as well. Vilém from Pernštejn managed two hundred and sixty-three ponds in Pardubice!
With the arrival of the Pernštejn family in Pardubice came a new type of business, which paid off very well. Vilém from Pernštejn was already very well aware of this five hundred years ago and followed up on the work of the Benedictines from the Opatovice Monastery, who nine hundred years ago started with the establishment of ponds in Pardubice.
Bohdaneč pond management has 56 ponds under its care
The orchards founded by Vilém from Pernštejn can still be found in the same place near Bohdanč today. The number of ponds that the Bohdaneč Pond Farm takes care of today is 56. These days, they are gradually being talked about. At the end of November, their fish inhabitants will be in the crates, ready for the Christmas sale.
“We produce around eighty-five percent of carp. This is how the ponds are historically built, so that carp is the main fish. In addition, we keep grass carp, we keep pike, catfish, pike can also be kept on some ponds. Although here in the warm and fertile Polabí, the pike does not like it very much. It needs a little cooler water,” adds Adolf Vondrka.
