DRIFT-NET FISHING. 63 



denly darting through the water. These signs of fish 

 are sometimes observed as the fishing boat is rowed 

 along over the calm sea ; but I have also seen the 

 fishermen produce a more decided effect by rapping 

 with a piece of wood against the planks of the boat 

 nearest the water ; now and then a fish would betray 

 itself by a line of light as it darted away, and when 

 these indications became more numerous, it was de- 

 cided to shoot the nets. This luminous condition of 

 the water, however, is not very favourable for fishing, 

 although I have seen moderate hauls made under 

 such circumstances. The water is then usually too 

 clear and the nets are too distinct for the fish to strike 

 freely ; and, beautiful as the illuminated nets appear 

 as they are drawn through the water, the fishermen 

 have then generally good reason to expect the result 

 of their night's labour will not be very large. 



The seasons for drift fishing depend of course on 

 the kind of fish sought for, whether herrings, mackerel, 

 pilchards, or sprats ; for although the last-mentioned 

 fish is principally caught in the stow-net and sean, 

 drift nets are also used for it on a certain limited part 

 of the coast. But the seasons for the same kind of 

 fish we may take the herring as a notable example 

 also vary according to the different parts of the coast ; 

 and this difference in the seasons leads to much larger 

 captures in the course of the year than would other- 

 wise be the case, for the boats from several districts 

 are commonly enabled to unite in working succes- 

 sively at different stations, instead of being confined 

 to their own. Thus many of the Scotch fishermen 



