When the spring rains let the water level of the Tiber river rise, the moment has come for the “Uncinaia” in the Tiber Valley in Italy.

The “Uncinaia” is an instrument to catch drift wood in the river made out of a branch of a tree with other branches reaching out. It is attached to a rope so the people can throw it into the river hoping that the drift wood tangles up in the “uncinaia” and then pull it out of the water.

Then they let the wood dry on the river bench – one staple for each family- to have fire wood for the cold weather or a nice BBQ with steak and salsiccia.

The draft wood hunters of the Tiber Valley in Umbria have learned their art during the years,watching their fathers and learning themselves.

They say it is forbidden to catch the drift wood. But who cares ?