422 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [8] 



FISHING APPARATUS, AND THE MANNER IN WHICH THEY ARE USED. 1 



The so-called " hommor " are, as lias already been stated, a kind of 

 fisli pot, varying in size, but always constructed on the same principle. : 

 In accordance with different local circumstances and usages, there are, 

 however, some differences in this apparatus, which at first sight cause 

 a casual observer to think that what is really one and the same appa- 

 ratus, is a variety of different apparatuses. One can principally dis- 

 tinguish two kinds : those which are intended to be placed on stony 

 bottom, and those which are used on even sand or clay bottom. To the 

 first kind belong the apparatus used on the coasts of the districts of 

 Stockholm, Ostergotlaud, and Kalmar, and to the second, those used 

 on the coasts of Blekinge and Scania. The former are generally smaller 

 and narrower. As a good representative type of this apparatus tlie 

 one used on the coast of the Kalmar district may be taken. It has 

 only one aim, varying in length from 15 to 42 feet, according to the 

 depth of water in which the apparatus is set, starting from the left side 

 of the opening.* 



Here begins the so-called " hat," consisting, like a common fish-pot, 

 of a semicircular hoop, from 3 to 4 feet across, and following this, 

 rings, at intervals of 1 foot, gradually decreasing in size, so that those 

 at the farther end measure only 6 to 8 inches in diameter, the whole 

 being covered with netting. At the end of this so-called "hat" (gener- 

 ally 15 to 24 feet long), which like a fish-pot has funnel-shaped en- 

 trances, there is fastened the so-called "tub," plaited of thin branches, 

 in which the eels are finally caught. To keep this "tub" steadily in 

 position, it is placed on a frame- work of wood. The apparatus is an- 

 chored, and held in position by ropes t to which tolerably heavy stones 

 are fastened. To each stone there is moreover fastened a line with a 

 float, by which the line is hauled in, when the apparatus is to be 

 emptied or taken up. Near Oro (in the district of Kalmar) four similar 

 weights (two on each side) are used for the wide part of the apparatus, 

 a like number to keep the arm in position, and one large stone for the 

 "tub." In stormy weather it becomes necessary to make use of more 

 anchoring to keep the apparatus in position. To prevent the eels from 

 going under the arm, which might be the case, especially when the 

 bottom is very uneven, the lower part of the arm is pressed a little 

 against the net through the meshes, so that its lower part comes to lie 

 close along the bottom. 



Near Landsort the so-called "tub" is not used, whilst it is in use in 

 the northern part of the coast of the Stockholm district ; as for the 

 rest, the apparatus used north of Kalmar is in its main outlines the 

 same as the one we have described. From those used in the south of 



* Eight aud left counted in the direction of the apparatus, looking forward from 

 the narrow end of the apparatus. 



t In the district of Kalmar ropes are used for this purpose, plaited of very thiu 

 branches. These ropes are stronger and more durable than one would suppose, and 

 ■ are frequently used as hauling-lines both in the north and south of Sweden. 



