210 
Part III. — Tenth Annual Report 
The principal difference in the modes of fishing followed by Swedish 
and Scotch fishermen lies in the way they rig their lines. Although the 
'back' of the Swedish line is usually heavier than the Scotch, the 
' snoods ' and hooks are much smaller and lighter. About a foot above 
the hook the Swede fastens a small piece of very light wood, which is 
said to keep the bait above the ground, thus making it more attractive, 
and keeping it from being slimed up if the bottom is muddy. This wood 
is got in Prussia, and resembles alder in colour. The pieces used are 
triangular strips of 4 or 5 inches long, and not exceeding an inch broad at 
the base. Glass balls are also used at intervals, but they seem to be 
intended for distinguishing marks rather than floats. 
Scotch fishermen sometimes think that where the ground is muddy and 
the water very deep the Swedes catch twice as many fish as they can do. 
If this is so, it is to be regretted that our own fishermen have not given 
this plan a thorough trial, which, so far as can be learned, has not been 
done. 
The Swedes begin to arrive in April, and continue to work about 
Shetland till the end of August In 1891, 8 of them discharged fish 
in Shetland, and perhaps as many more fished in the neighbourhood — 
their chief resort being to the edge of the deep water from 30 to 40 
miles off Unst. They frequent Baltasound, partly for the purpose of pur- 
chasing herrings for bait ; if none are obtainable they use haddocks. 
Some of these Swedes sell part of their fish to Shetland curers, and, 
judging by the takes thus landed, they must do very well. They generally 
remain at sea most of a week, and for one such trip over .£100 has been 
made, while from £50 to £70 is not uncommon in good weather. As they 
all make repeated runs home during the summer, and never sell any tusk 
in Shetland, it would be impossible to give accurate figures, but the 
following was paid to three crews by a local merchant in 1888. 
To one vessel for 4 trips, . . £223. . 
„ another „ 3 „ . . £167. 
„ another „ 2 „ . . £135. 
In the face of such figures it may be questioned whether Scotch fisher- 
men would not do better in Shetland with their lines than with their nets 
in June and July, 
