What were the traditional fishing tools used in the Soviet Union?

Fishing was done with primitive fishing poles and flatbottom wooden boats.

What were the prized and less preferred catches during this era?

The premium fish plotka was considered a prized catch, while the fish piscar was not preferred by the speaker.

What recreational activities were combined with fishing?

Fishing was often combined with swimming and tanning in the summer.

What was the alternative fishing method mentioned?

An alternative fishing method is spinning, where two people use a common fishing line with attached fishing lines and hooks.

How did people illegally fish and forage for food during the famine?

People illegally fished and foraged for food in the forests and rivers, using a fishing net called a so-callbreing to catch fish.