LINE-FISHING. 303 



fisherman's education. In one form or other line-fishing 

 comes within the reach of all classes, and the scale on 

 which it is worked by our sea-fishermen depends more on 

 capital and locality than on any essential difference in the 

 kind of gear or the manner of using it 



There are two principal methods by which our line 

 fisheries in salt-water are carried on, namely, by long-lines 

 and hand-lines. Both are very simple in their character, 

 and a short account of each as practised on a large scale in 

 this country will probably be sufficient for their explana- 

 tion, as the general subject must be more or less familiar to 

 all who have either visited or resided on the coast. 



The long-line, spilliard, spiller, bulter or trot, all of these 

 names given to the same kind of line, according to locality, 

 size, or the purpose for which it is used, is a very general 

 means of fishing, as many kinds of valuable fish are 

 caught by it, and any length that is convenient may be 

 worked. It is extensively used far out in the North Sea 

 and on the northern coasts of our islands, for the capture 

 of cod, ling, holibut and haddocks, and some of these fish, 

 especially cod and haddocks, when taken by hook and line, 

 have a better appearance and command better prices in the 

 market than when caught by the beam-trawl. In Scotland 

 the haddock is highly esteemed, being regarded as one of 

 their best fish, and these are all caught by the line. 



We may here mention, to prevent confusion, that the 

 long-lines we are now speaking of are on the whole west 

 coast of the North American continent called "trawls," 

 the fact that the word " trawl " is the same as to " trail or 

 drag along" being entirely lost sight of. As the long- 

 line is anchored at both ends and at intervals along its 

 course when in use, it is evident that no more unsuitable 

 word than " trawl " could be applied to it. 



