92 SHEAF-FISHING. 



Sheaf-fishing, This plan of fishing is followed on the 

 Scotch and Irish coasts with severals rods of from 12 to 15 

 feet in length, and where the fish are plentiful, Pollack and 

 Coal-fish (often known as Lythe and Saythe) are taken in large 

 numbers, and sometimes Mackerel. It is termed sheaf-fishing, 

 either because as many as nine rods are taken on board the 

 boat at one time, and when lashed up into a faggot, form 

 something like a sheaf of straw, or because a sheaf of straw is 

 actually used to retain the rods in their required positions 

 during their use. This sheaf of straw is lashed to a board 

 placed across the boat about three feet in advance of the stern, 

 into which the rods are stuck, spreading out like a fan over 

 the stern and quarters of the boat. The line of strong snood- 

 ing or horse-hair is used about 18 inches longer than the rods, 

 and the hook, on double or strong single gut, is baited with a 

 particular goose feather, placed on the hook in a peculiar way, 

 not having the appearance of a fly, but rather that of a small 

 fish. This feather is first rolled up as one might roll a small 

 leaf, and firmly lashed on to the head of the hook, at the root 

 part (see fig. 33, b, p. 89). If the line were more than 18 

 inches longer than the rod, there would be a difficulty in lift- 

 ing the fish into the boat. The extraordinary number of nine 

 rods is taken into the boat in case of loss or breakage, but half 

 a dozen only are commonly used at once, the other, with lines 

 and hooks wound round them, being kept ready for action at 

 a moment's notice, in order that no time may be lost in the 

 dusk of the evening, when this method of fishing is commonly 

 practised, for it would not do to be refitting the rods when they 

 ought to be at work. These rods are made of good red pine 

 \\ inch thick at the butt, tapering up to f thickness at the 

 top. For safety in case of breaking the rod, the line should 

 come down the whole length of the rod to the butt. The 

 favourite feather used is taken from a white goose at the 

 bottom of the neck on the back, just between the wings. One 

 goose does not afford many of these feathers. The rods when 

 stuck in the sheaf of straw stretch out horizontally, and the tops 

 ought to be 6 to 12 inches above the water. In addition to 

 the board upon which the sheaf of straw is placed, a second is 



