128 WILD LIFE OF SCOTLAND 



The aim is to reach the fishing-ground about 

 sunset, the most delightful time of the day. The 

 line is dropped over, and jerked up and down 

 hence "jigging." Attracted by the glitter as of 

 sand-eels, the herring take the hooks eagerly, 

 generally filling the whole. Two lines are worked 

 at the same time, so that one can always be in the 

 water to keep the fish near the boat. As many as 

 three or four hundred herring may be thus taken. 

 The sport only lasts for about an hour. When the 

 phosphorescence comes out on the surface in the 

 deepening twilight, it is time to stop. 



The jigger is now exchanged for a hand-line. 

 The herring, or some of them, are used for bait, and 

 the short summer night is occupied in fishing for 

 coal-fish, and cod. 



When the phosphorescence disappears from the 

 water in the growing morning light, the jigger is 

 once more dropped overboard, and worked till the 

 rising of the sun. Then, the fishermen sail away 

 to their distant crab-traps, which they empty of 

 their living freight, and bait again with the coal- 

 fish, and, if need be 3 the cod, a curious three- 

 cornered arrangement. 



Most people here trust to the fisherman to supply 

 the tackle along with the boat. Half a dozen 



