Bārta Becomes Lithuania's Fishing Capital: Locals Claim They Now Hear More Lithuanians Than Vimba Fish

While Riga's anglers are still trying to figure out where the nearest river is, a true international fishing festival is taking place on the banks of Bārta. Lithuanians have arrived in such massive numbers that locals are starting to consider offering translation services to the fish.

Seven men, of whom only two turned out to be Latvian, report that the situation has become truly international. "Lithuanians are consistently in the majority, Lithuanian language sounds everywhere," say Liepāja residents Norberts and Sendijs. Both came for grayling, but as it turns out, most anglers are hunting vimba. Apparently, the situation with vimba in Lithuania is the same as with dormitory spots at the University of Liepāja - everyone wants them, but not everyone can get them.

Vitauts and Almants from Palanga explain the situation: "There are no vimba in all of Žemaitija, but here there are, so Lithuanians travel even from far away." Almants even photographs his catch and sends it to his son in Norway, as if proving he's not just a tourist, but a real angler. Oskars from Kretinga has been coming every weekend for years and even spends nights by the river - such passion that even Liepāja's wind would be envious.

Most surprised is Gintars, who came for reconnaissance for the first time: "There's no more room - nothing but Lithuanians." The man came to fish but ended up as a minority in his own expedition. But as Antans from Darbēni, who bought his license online, says: "If I quickly catch my quota - seven fish - then I'll leave earlier." Seven fish - the same dose of optimism as hoping that Liepāja's tram will one day run on schedule.