CHAPTER VIII. 



TEE MACKEREL, 



Habits — Whiffing and Trailing — Fishing from a Boat at 

 Anchor — What Not to Bo. 



HIS fish is good to catch, to eat, and to look 

 at, and therefore takes a high place in the 

 angler's estimation. It is so well known 

 that any description would be superfluous. 

 It abounds on the coasts of the more 

 southern portions of these isles, and is 

 found, but in less quantities, in the North. 

 Some millions are caught annually in nets 

 and on lines; but enough and to spare are left to meet the 

 requirements of anglers. Formerly, mackerel were supposed 

 to leave our shores during the winter months, and migrate 

 to some unknown region in the North; but it seems probable 

 that they merely retire into deeper water during the cold 

 weather, for they are now taken off the British coast at all 

 seasons of the year. The angler, however, if well advised, 

 will not trouble to seek them in winter, and will probably obtain 

 his best sport during the hottest months of summer. 



Mackerel feed at various depths, but are mostly taken 

 within a few feet of the surface, when feeding on shoals 

 of small fry called " brit " or " bret " in Devonshire, and 

 "mint" at Hastings. Sometimes they come so close to the 

 shore that the fishermen run out a seine net and inclose 

 thousands at one haul. On a hot, sunny day, they may be 

 seen breaking the surface, and capital sport may then be 

 obtained by casting gaudy flies among them from a boat, 

 or from the shore if they are near enough. The fish run 



