12 MODERN SEA FISHING 



himself of the marks known to the fishermen, if he can discover 

 them. I need not point out the extreme value of such know- 

 ledge. Whenever a good catch of fish is made, on a ground which 

 is new, it is an excellent plan to enter the marks by which the 

 place may be known again in a notebook or on a chart. In taking 

 these new bearings the imaginary lines which are drawn towards 

 each pair of marks should be at right angles or thereabouts, if 

 possible, and the marks themselves should not be too near 

 together. To take the part of the coast shown in the sketch 

 as an example, the barn should be some considerable distance 

 from the church. At night time it is extremely difficult, often 

 indeed impossible, to take new marks or place one's craft on 

 old ones, unless there are certain well-known lights which will 

 serve as a guide ; as, for instance, lighthouses, and lights coming 

 from the windows of houses or at the head of a pier. 



I have on more than one occasion found the study of marks 

 extremely valuable, even when I have been out with men who 

 were professional fishermen, and might be expected to exercise 

 reasonable care in placing the boat correctly. A very few 

 yards one way or the other will often make all the difference 

 between catching fish or missing them. On three successive 

 days I had wretched sport in Broad Bay, off the Island of 

 Lewis, owing to the crofters who were with me being careless 

 in this matter. They knew the marks well enough and told 

 me them without hesitation. As soon as I found we were not 

 quite on the spot which was generally considered the best 

 fishing ground, I made them move the boat about twenty 

 yards, arid we at once began to catch fish ; and I do not think 

 that at any subsequent time we were unsuccessful at that 

 particular place. Those who set lobster or crab pots, trots, 

 and long lines, unless most careful in taking marks correctly, 

 will run very great risk of never seeing their property again. 

 Except when the sea is absolutely calm there is nothing more 



