KELSON] TOMCOD FISHING 175 



remove tliese, as well as to skim out the film of ice that constantly 

 forms on cold days, a small scoop with a netted bottom is used by the 

 natives of the coast from the mouth of the Kuskokwim to Kotzebue 

 sound. A typical specimen of an ice scoop, from St Michael, is illus- 

 trated in figure 9, plate lxvii. The rim consists of a band of deerhorn 

 bent into a circle, the overlapping ends being pierced and lashed 

 together with rawhide cord. The upper edge has a long, rounded 

 point in front; the lower edge has holes in pairs, through which is 

 passed the rawhide cord, which is netted across the bottom in a hexa- 

 gonal pattern. This scoop is fastened to the handle with a lashing of 

 sinew cord, which passes through a hole in the handle and over the 

 rim. The wooden handle is oval in cross section, and is about 34 

 inches in length. 



In the vicinity of Bering strait the net of some of these implements 

 is formed of a cord made of twisted filaments of whalebone. 



Another variety of this Implement, from St Lawrence island, is illus- 

 trated in figure 8, plate Lxvii; it consists of a slightly grooved wooden 

 handle, to which is attached a scoop-shape piece of bone. Still another, 

 from the same locality, is shown in figure 7, plate lxvii ; it is made from 

 the shoulder-blade of some animal, pierced near its small end with two 

 holes, through which a lashing is passed, which fastens it firmly to a 

 wooden handle four feet in length. 



The implements used in fishing for tomcod consist of a short pole, 

 from 25 to 36 inches in length, and a long line made from whalebone, 

 sinew, rawhide, or the feather quills of gulls or other large waterfowl. 

 These are split and worked a little to render them more pliable, and 

 knotted together while moist, forming a tough and durable line. On 

 the lower end of the line, six to ten inches from the bottom, a sinker 

 of stone, bone, or ivory is attached, pierced at each end for attachment 

 to the line. The hooks usually have a straight ivory or bone shank, 

 with a ho]e at the upper end for the line, and two holes near the lower 

 end, at right angles with each other, through which are thrust small, 

 double-pointed iron skewers, with their ends bent upward, forming a 

 hook with four points. The rods are usually provided near the top 

 with an ivory or bone guide, perforated near the tip for the passage of 

 the line, and fastened to the rod by sinew cord. The base of the rod 

 is notched, so that the line may be wound on it when not in use. In 

 connection with these rods a slender stick of about the same length is 

 used. It is held in the left hand, and so manipulated as to enable the 

 fisherman to bring the hook to the surface without rising from his seat 

 on a mat spread on the ice. As the fish comes to the surface it is 

 thrown to one side on the ice and disengages itself, as the hook is not 

 barbed. The fisherman then gives it a rap with the stick to prevent it 

 from struggling back to the hole, and returns his hook to the water. 

 No bait is used, as the fish nibble at the white ivory shank, and are 

 caught by a continued up-and down movement of the hook. 



In autumn the tomcod are extremely abundant near St Michael. At 



