168 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
some weirs it is during the last quarter of flood tide, while with others 
it is at the beginning of the ebb, though the time of their entrance is 
almost without exception within two hours of high water. The little 
herring are said to remain well out in the channels during moonlight 
nights, and to come in much closer to the shore when the nights are 
dark. They also swim well in on the flood tide, seemingly feeding upon 
the marine life that has been left dry by the receding tide and floats 
about freely as it is taken up by the incoming one. Some of the fisher- 
men claim that they are drawn in by the higher temperature of the 
water rather than by any increased abundance of food ; as the water 
flowing in upon the rocks that have been exposed to the heat of the sun 
is raised several degrees in temperature, and the herring find it more 
agreeable. Whatever be the cause, there seems to be little question 
that the fish approach clpser to the shore on the flood than on the ebb 
tide, and the weirs are most successful when high water occurs very 
shortly after sunset or at sunrise. The wind, too, seems to have a 
greater or less effect upon the catch; and when it blows with any con- 
siderable force from certain quarters the fishermen know from experi- 
ence that they are to get no fish, and hence do not take the trouble to 
visit their weirs. 
Fishinu the Weirs. — The weirs are fished at low tide, regardless 
of whether this may occur during the day or night. The fishermen 
usually go out in their boats about two hours before slack water to see 
if there are any herring. At night a torch is lighted on entering the 
weir, and the herring, attracted by it, gather around the boat, thus 
enabling the fishermen to judge of their abundance. If a sufficient 
quantity is found to warrant the seining, they proceed at once to the 
seine-float which is anchored near by, and unreel the seine, stowing it 
carefully in their boat. They then re enter the weir and, after making- 
one end of the netting fast to one of the posts, usually at the back or 
deepest portion of the weir, which varies from 12 to 20 or even 25 feet, 
row the seine around the fish and bring the two ends together, after 
which the circle is slowly lessened until the fish are huddled close 
together in the bunt of the seine, when, by means of large dip-nets, 
holding several barrels, they are “ rolled” into the boat. 
It occasionally happens that more fish are caught than can be utilized, 
in which case it is desirable to keep them alive for a day or two. For 
this purpose, several weirs are provided with “pockets,” which are 
brush inclosures resembling the weir proper in construction and placed 
just behind it. The inclosure communicates with the weir by a gate, 
through which the fish are driven and retained until needed. 
Five or 6 men are required to fish the largest weir, and 2 or 3 are 
needed for the smaller ones. A fair average for the weirs on Deer 
Island would be 4 men, while those in other localities would not ex- 
ceed 3, and would possibly fall a trifle below that figure. Several per- 
sons usually own and fish a weir together, but where men are hired 
the price paid is from $25 to $30 per month and board. 
