SEA FISHING 

 to let others have a chance. Those who fish for a living, of course, are 

 bound to guard the secrets of their trade, and there is nothing more 

 amusing than to watch the elaborate manoeuvres with which fishermen 

 in Cornwall will conceal their own particular fishing *' marks " from 

 rivals. No sooner does another boat come within a mile than up comes 

 the anchor and the lugger sails round and round the proper spot 

 until the inquisitive one has retired. This is diverting in a professional, 

 but it would be disgusting in an amateur. Such petty rivalries may be 

 almost excusable in the limited conditions of river fishing, but in the sea 

 there is so much room for all that there is no ground for them. 



The fisherman should also be considerate in his treatment of his boatman 

 or gillie. If he is not so, for the sake of decency, let his own advantage 

 dictate forbearance. Getting the utmost out of those that serve you is a 

 rare secret, but it is not confined to the Bonapartes. Many of these gillies 

 have an independent spirit, which makes them far more agreeable com- 

 pany than if they were flunkeys. Some of the Gornishmen are as free 

 from servility as Highland gillies. They can be coaxed, but will not be 

 driven. Nor must they be urged to break the Sabbath. Sunday fishing is 

 the custom in the sea shires nearer London, but it is taboo between Ply- 

 mouth and the Land's End, and the prejudice against it, however irritating 

 to those of broad views and limited holiday, should be respected. In the 

 Near, Middle and Far East, fishing attendants should be treated like good 

 children, and anyone taking that view of them may do anything he pleases, 

 getting twice the work out of them that they would do if bullied. Perhaps 

 the high -water mark of independence is reached in the United States, 

 particularly on the east side, as far down as Florida. The wise English- 

 man will treat his guide (who, if owner of a motor -boat, is engineer as 

 well) as an equal, giving him an occasional cigar, and sharing the same 

 lunch. Tipping should be done in private. I only met one American of 

 humble station who actually declined a private tip, and that was a chauffeur 

 on the Panama Canal works, but many, not averse from taking it on the 

 quiet, would indignantly reject it if offered in public. 



Without any of the false sentiment which comes so ill from those who 

 fish or shoot, I do not hesitate to urge humane treatment of fish once 

 they have fought their fight. So long as they are good to eat, man has a 

 right to kill, but none to torture, them. Let each be knocked on the head 

 and done with it. This not only puts the fish out of its misery, but also 

 prevents it from deteriorating in its death struggles. Tarpon, which are 



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