Fish Gig

This interesting three-tined fish gig was made by Charlie Blevins in his blacksmith shop.  Blevins was well known as a blacksmith in Scott County and learned the trade from his father Jacob.  This gig would have been attached to a handle and used as a spear for spearing fish or frogs.  Charlie's nephew Oscar, who lived in the Big South Fork was known to use a bow and arrow to spear fish as shown in the photograph.  Oscar once stated, "That's the way we done our fishing down here in the river.  I've killed many a fish with that spear and bow...a wagon wouldn't hold the fish we've killed with that."  Meat of all kinds would find it's way to the table for the people of Appalachia.  If you are interested to see more of Charlie Blevins' tools, the museum is in possession of the contents of his workshop.

Oscar Blevins is shown demonstrating how he speared fish in the Big South Fork.  Note the fish gig on the end of the arrow is similar to the one made by his uncle Charlie Blevins.

Information and photograph number 2 taken from Guns And Gunmaking Tools of  Southern Appalachia by John Rice Irwin.  Photograph 1 courtesy of the author.