Amber fisherman from Binz

The Story of the Amber Fisherman of Binz

Amber is also called the "gold of the Baltic Sea". That was reason enough for us, us during our stay in Binz to take a closer look at this stone. And so we set out to visit the Irish amber fisherman in Binz Mecklenburg-Vorpommern to visit. Finbarr Corrigan came to the often early on Baltic Sea coast, since his brother lived on the island of Hiddensee. There he first became acquainted with the stones from which the Baltic Sea waves bring new finds ashore year after year.

The path from Irishman to amber expert

During one of his stays, Finbarr tried to look for the stones and immediately developed a taste for them. From then on he regularly vacationed on the Baltic coast until one day he decided not to return to Great Britain. He sold his restaurant and settled on Hiddensee. There he met his wife and moved with her back to her hometown of Binz, where he now runs an amber business together with his family, which now includes an adult daughter.

That Finbarr Corrigan is a creative man is evident even before we see his shop and workshop. There are the most amazing art pieces on the steps in front of the house, and in most of them at least a piece of amber plays a role. Bizarre woods are combined with the stone that shines in warm gold, but metals and mirrors also offer attractive connections with the stones, most of which Finbarr collected himself.

 

 

Do you want a cup of tea?

As soon as we enter the shop, he comes towards us with his hands outstretched and welcomes us to his workshop. "Do you want a cup of tea?" he asks us in the thick accent of the Irish island and doesn't even wait for us to say yes. Instead, he sends his daughter to make us a cup of tea. And then he takes me into his kingdom: in wooden bowls, on plates and in bowls there are ambers of all colors.

Amber: The Gold of the Baltic Sea

To my surprise, I realize that this stone not only comes in warm gold, but can even be colored black. This is one of the things that makes these stones so attractive, because amber necklaces are never uniformly colored, but always in a variety of different colors, depending on the hardened tree resin. That's all it is.

Amber fishermen from Binz - where do the stones come from?

When I ask Finbarr where the stones come from, he says, somewhat embarrassed: "My daughter knows more about these things. She is a walking encyclopedia when it comes to amber."

And she can actually explain to me exactly how amber was formed: "Amber is the resin of trees. However, these were not the trees that we know today here on Rügen. When amber was formed, completely different types of trees were growing here. Their resin was more fluid than that of today's trees. And so it happened again and again that insects were surrounded by tree resin and thus trapped in the resin.

That's why you find so many fossils in amber - mostly flies or beetles that didn't escape the tree sap fast enough. The resin dried and sank into the sand. The Baltic Sea coast is just one region where it can be found. In Germany it can be found in the region around Bitterfeld. But it also occurs in other regions of the world, in Africa, the Malay Archipelago, New Zealand or Colombia, for example, where it is known as 'copal'." She laughs: "Today you can find up to 310 million old ones in amber Insects."

 

 

Amber contains fossil animals, explains the amber fisherman from Binz

Such numbers take my breath away in awe. And Finbarr selects several examples from his treasures in which fossil animals are superbly preserved. It is unbelievable that I am looking through the yellow hardened resin into the eyes of an animal that lived on this island hundreds of millions of years ago.

These are temporal dimensions that I cannot even imagine, and I wonder what has happened since this tiny creature was captured for eternity in a liquid drop of resin.

Tradition and Craftsmanship: Making Amber Jewelry

He shows me some finds that holiday guests have brought over. "I drill a hole in the stone for them so that they can wear it as a piece of jewelry."

And he shows me how he does it: using a thin drill, he creates a small hole in the ancient stone, which he then widens with a wider drill. The hole is then ground smooth - and the piece of jewelry is finished. He also makes entire necklaces out of amber or combines it with a wide variety of materials. I find it particularly beautiful how natural these works of art look.

 

 

Amber fishing in Binz: An experience for visitors

There is one thing that interests me most: "How and where is the best place to find amber?" He laughs and says: "It's easiest after an autumn or winter storm." My eyes widen and I ask: "You go out into the Baltic Sea in winter temperatures to collect the stones?"

He replies: "Yes. The storms bring waves that stir up the seabed and expose pieces of amber. The force of the waves drives them to the shore, and I only need to collect them from there."

Tips for finding your own amber in the Baltic Sea

What sounds so simple here is certainly not easy. Standing in ice water at temperatures below freezing just to collect the stones - that takes a certain amount of enthusiasm. He shows me the largest pieces he has found so far. There aren't many, but two of them are almost the size of a palm.

Collecting Amber in Binz

Amber fishing in Binz is a special tradition that fascinates many visitors. It requires patience and experience to find the little treasures of the Baltic Sea. The chances of finding amber are greatest after storms. The fishermen know exactly when and where the most promising places to find amber are.

Many start early in the morning when the light is good and the water is calm. The amber is washed onto the beach by the waves and is often hidden between seaweed and algae. The fishermen collect it directly from the water using a special net.

If you want to join in as a beginner, you can take part in guided tours. You will not only learn what to look out for, but also a lot about how amber is formed. It is a lasting experience that strengthens your connection to nature. The joy of holding your own find in your hands is indescribable.

Our visit to the amber fisherman in Binz remains unforgettable

"What are you going to do with these two?" I want to know. "I'm keeping them for myself. They're not for sale," he laughs, looking at his treasures almost lovingly. It seems that a close relationship with the finds is necessary for an amber fisherman to have the energy to venture out into the Baltic Sea in all weathers in search of them.

With these impressions we say goodbye to Finbarr Corrigan and his family and think about when he will go out into the sea again in search of his stones. In the fall, when the storms hit the country, his amber and his treasure hunt will certainly come to mind again. The Irish amber fisherman from Binz left a lasting impression!

The amber fisherman of Binz

Inh. Finbarr Corrigan
Paulstr. 1
18609 Ostseebad Binz
Tel: 038393-436444
Fax: 038393-436444

 

Questions and answers about collecting amber in Binz

When is the best time to find amber in Binz?

The best time for amber fishing is after a storm, when the waves wash the coveted resin onto the beach. You have the best chance of discovering amber especially early in the morning, when the water is calm and the light is clear.

Where exactly is the best place to look for amber in Binz?

The beaches around Binz, especially the less visited areas, offer good opportunities. Amber is often hidden between seaweed and algae on the shore. It is best to follow the tips of experienced amber fishermen who know where the best places to find it are.

Do I need special equipment for amber fishing?

You don't need any complicated equipment to fish for amber. A simple landing net like the ones the locals use is enough. Rubber boots and weatherproof clothing are useful if you want to search directly in shallow water.

How do I recognize real amber on the beach?

Real amber is light and often cloudy to clear in various shades of yellow and brown. It feels warm and floats on salt water. If you are unsure, you can rub a little amber - real amber gives off a resinous scent.