APPARATUS FOR FISHING. 



IN the following pages it is proposed to give only a 

 general account of the various kinds of apparatus which 

 are employed for fishing, but an endeavour will be made to 

 describe in an intelligible manner the principal methods of 

 fishing, so as to enable the reader to understand something 

 of the means by which our fish-markets are supplied, and 

 constant occupation given to the large class of fisherfolk 

 many of whom too commonly have to spend their lives in 

 the midst of dangers and hardships but little understood 

 by the great mass of the public who look on a regular 

 supply of fish as a matter of course, whatever the weather 

 may chance to be. 



An important distinction exists between sea fishing and 

 freshwater fishing, which gives to each an interest peculiar 

 to itself. Sea fishing is a great commercial industry. 

 Freshwater fishing is mainly connected with sport and 

 amusement. The first will therefore naturally claim the 

 principal share of our attention, as being the means of 

 providing a very large supply of wholesome food, and 

 consequently of wide-spread interest. Some of the appli- 

 ances for fishing being used in both salt and fresh waters, 

 it will be convenient to consider our subject with reference 

 rather to the different methods of fishing than to any 

 distinction between the waters in which they are carried on, 

 calling attention, however, as occasion may arise, to the use 

 of particular appliances in the capture of freshwater fishes 



