344 DOLPHIN (FALOOSI) FISHING OFF MOMBASA 
first appear at Mombasa in January, coming down from the 
north ; and these fish are not in shoals, only two or three, or 
perhaps single ones, being encountered, which, however, are 
always the largest fish, running from 20 to 30 lb. In March 
and April, the large schools arrive, and these average some 
15 lb., running from 10 to 20 lb. apiece. 
The bait always employed is squid (Swahili name, 4 Ngisi ’), 
and to make catches of faloosi it is necessary to paraphrase 
Mrs. Beeton’s advice, * First catch your squid.’ The local 
squid at Mombasa is a hungry yet secretive animal, and has 
to be approached with caution. Its habit is to rest on the 
reef, hidden, or imitating the seaweed which covers the floor 
of the lagoon inside the outer reef. The procedure is as follows : 
The canoes are paddled in the early morning out over the reef , 
and in the still water allowed to drift slowly in from J to 1 
fathom of water. The occupants start casting a slightly 
weighted dead fish, some 5 inches long, well secured by 
the tail to a fish-line. This is allowed to sink to near the 
bottom, and then slowly drawn in. If this dead fish passes 
near a concealed squid it is practically certain to be seized. 
The squid leaves its hold and seizes the fish with almost 
incredible swiftness. There is no doubt that the ‘ wings ’ on 
each side of the squid materially help it in this rapid move- 
ment. The dead fish having been seized by the squid (average 
length 2 feet), the beast is cautiously coaxed within 15 to 20 
feet of the canoe, when a leaded triangle hook attached to a 
stout line is cast just beyond the squid, and a sharp jerk 
hooks it. After discharging its sepia, and with a lot of splashing, 
it is pulled on board and immediately ‘ broken, ’ where the 
head is inserted into the body just above the eyes. It be- 
comes quiet, dies almost at once, and turns from mottled umber 
colour to a pearly white. A sufficiency having been caught, 
the canoe puts out to sea through a ‘ mlango ’ or a gap in the 
reef. Great care must be exercised, especially in the mon- 
soon, in passing through the reef, and it is as well to ascertain 
beforehand that the fisherman is fully cognizant of the passage 
and is not merely trusting to luck, as otherwise a nasty accident 
may occur. The mlango is often crooked, and at times it is 
necessary to turn the canoe broadside to the waves. Passing 
