74 A DATS DRIFT-LINE FISHING OFF GUERNSEY. 



knot, not by pulling the end, but by pushing the knot as far as 

 it will slide, as shown at c, and having done the same with the 

 end of the other link, draw the two knots together, tightening 

 the knots by taking first one and then the other end between 

 your teeth and pulling with a steady strain on the link, also 

 gently biting the knots to make them draw home in the turns 

 as neatly as possible. Do not cut the ends off too short, but 

 leave them of about two straws' breadth. Measure your twelve 

 feet distances and put on the pipe-leads when required ; they 

 should be allowed to run loosely between the knots ; if not, 

 the line may rot from damp under them. In addition to these 

 directions, it is well to obtain instruction from old sailors, 

 fishermen, whip or tackle -makers, when opportunity offers. 



To Knot Gut Links together. Previously to either spinning 

 or knotting gut soak it ten minutes in lukewarm water. Spin 

 with the ^-pound lead, and set it revolving by hand, the gut 

 usually having insufficient power to start the lead. In knotting 

 lay the ends to overlap two inches, turn them round your left 

 fore-finger and put the ends twice through, when draw tight and 

 cut off ends. This knot is not so short in the nip as the 

 ordinary one used for gut, and gives more strength in the join. 



The following article written for the ' Field ' I reproduce as 

 apropos to the subject. 



A DAY'S DRIFT-LINE FISHING OFF GUERNSEY. 



On a fine morning in spring I joined a friend for 'a day's 

 drift-line fishing ' off the rocky coast of Guernsey. As we pull 

 out to our fishing-boat we observe the fishermen just starting 

 with their Sand-Eel seine to procure bait for themselves and 

 their confreres, who in common with themselves are making 

 for the Mesuriaux rocks, which, on the falling tide, are much 

 frequented by shoals of Sand-Eels. 



A run of five or six minutes brings us to the rocks just out- 

 side the harbour, where we find eight or nine boats awaiting 

 their supply of bait. The net has been already shot, and is 

 being hauled by the men in two boats, each having a rope 

 attached to one arm of the seine ; but the net itself is now 



