DOLPHIN (FALOOSI) FISHING OFF MOMBASA 345 
the reef, preparations are being made to fish. The first bait, 
and that which is considered most deadly, is the inner parts 
of the squid carefully lashed on to the top of the hook with 
a fibre of palm-leaf. Next the hook is passed several times 
through the detached squid’s head and lashed, the tentacles 
waving free ; and lastly the two long arms are detached, and 
the hook passed once through the ends, so as to wave about 
behind the hook. 
If the weather is fairly smooth, the canoe, after clearing the 
breakers, is sailed, if not rowed, out to sea. Some 70 yards 
of line are let out behind the boat, and if shoals of faloosi 
are expected, more lines are prepared and baited with strips 
of squid, which is scored traversely to make it pliable. 
Presently, after perhaps having gone some three or four 
miles out to sea, a violent snatch is felt on the line, and 70 
yards astern a gleaming fish shoots up 6 feet clear of the 
water. 
In the early season, when the fish run large, the sportsman 
will have all his work cut out to keep the canoe in a seaway, 
and at the same time handle a species of small torpedo gone 
mad. 
If the fish is a big one, and no gaff is handy, it is a matter 
of some skill to persuade it into the canoe ; but by taking 
advantage of the roll of the sea it can usually be hauled over 
the side without getting more than a fair share of the Indian 
Ocean given in as a free gift. As soon as the fish is hooked, 
another baited line is at once cast out in case more fish are 
about. If, however, schools of fish are expected, the tired-out 
fish is cleat ed to the side of the canoe with about 10 yards of 
line between the fish and the boat. Almost immediately 
will be seen the rest of the shoal round their tethered comrade, 
showing little fear of the canoe, but all intent on finding out 
what their friend had found to eat. These greedily seize the 
next baited line thrown into their midst, and as many as ten 
may be captured before the shoal takes alarm. The captive 
is then brought on board, and the canoe heads in the direction 
they were last seen swimming, towing a baited line as before. 
On overtaking or encountering another school the process is 
repeated. 
