In Sweden every August it is crayfish time..my family would go out in the evening and set out the traps,then come back during the night or early morning to check them.
My sister and I set up a tent next to the river,and at 2 am,we´d crawl out of the sleeping bag,and with flaslights and a bucket,made our way along the edge of the water...pulling up one trap after the other!Our hands were freezing,our feet often wet,the mist swirling around us....but pulling the traps out and hearing the clicking noise of the crayfish, before you saw how many there were,was magical!!In the morning when the sun rose and you warmed up and dried out,pulled out the hot chocolate thermos and counted your haul from the night, it was awesome!!!
Then it was home to the house,to cook the nights catch,in water,salt and lots of crowndill!This was Mom´s job.She put all the cooked crayfish in large pots too cool.And then the best of all,it was party time!Served cold with lots of toast,cheese,beer and akvavit!When the weather allowed we would sit outside in a natural "room",a circle of beechtrees..lots of candles and lanterns..everybody with a bib,a hat and the special knife to open the shell! And eat and eat and eat........