The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1885-03-27
The ShAh ScasOn-

InitattcI PIMA NtNS-
The delicious but bony shad will soon
begin to stem the waters of the classic
Delaware. and the shad fishermen will
welcome them as heartily. il not as tender
". as ruen welcome their rich and decrepit
uncleS. Not long ago a trial haul was
made with one Of the big comprehensive
scincs at Gloucester, but as no sliad were
taken. it was supposed that il there were
amy within reach they either climbed out
upon the Pennsylvania bank or burrowed
into the muddy bed of tie river.
From Burlington to the capes, great
preparations are being made to gather in
the shad. when he comes. in a neat. quick
and wholesale fashion. Nets are being
mended and enlarged by the fishermen.
floats are being secured in the places OF
those broken off during the catch of 1854,
~rowboats are receiving coats of paint, new
rowlocks and additional %cleatS, and the
big fisling-scows are being frightened and
made Slip-shapc for the sltad-netting sea-
son.
The siiad, while possessing many adml-
rable qualities, cannot be said to be as
punctual as some other of the finny tribe.
The date of his coming varies considerably.
1t is supposed by many persons that the
weather has much to do with the date Of
the arrival of the sllad: yet this does not
always seem to be the case, for he comes
very Unexpectedly some seasons. and takes
the fishermen by surprise. There is a
range of about three weeks in the shad's
coming, and during all the time between
when he may come and when he does come
sharp eyes are on the lookout. and anxious
fishers are on the ragged edge of eXpec-
tation.
WHERE THE sHAD Is UGH
The biggest hauls on the Delaware are
made at Gloucester and the Lazaretto, and
few more striking scenes than the hauling
of a big shad seine can be witnessed. The
net is first set by boats in the stream. and
the men have to keep their wits all about
them to prevent getting their meshes hope
lessly entangled and so losing the tide.
After a short interval the hauling-in be
gins. One after one the captured fish,
with their silvery scales flashing in the
light. are taken from the meshes and are
piled up in the boats. If the haul is a good
one from five hundred to TWO thousand fish
may be taken.
The shad fishermen who depend upon
the profits of the season for their pay re-
ceive widely fluctuating incomes. In a
year Of good fishing the profits are very
large. and the men make enough in five
or six weeks of the business to keen them
and their families for months. In poor
seasons the results are small and some
times fall far below the point of meeting
expenses.
The great Seines are owned by Il few
wealthy fishermen. most OF whom are resi-
dents of New Jersey. WHO employ scores of
hands to take part in the catch; and when
these fishermen make a short haul in water
so shallow that they can wade. the effect
is as picturesque as a Dutch painting.
The fishermen dress much as they please,
with tattercd oilskin hats, long rubber or
leather boots. flannel shirt; of some bright
color, and strong woolien pantaloons.
Most OF the men have a fondness for silkcn
handkerchiefs tied at the throat.
rs the great net is drawn through the
water, OF the Delaware in u huge semi
circle toward the bank the men become ex-
cited. The bosses shout to those at the
end of the line To hurry up, So that every
wretched shad included in the enclosed
stretch Of water may be captured. Strong
lines attached to the ends Of the net are
manned by dozens Of fishermen. who wade
through water up to their thighs as fast as
possible. \ mighty rush of men, a half
dozen final orders shouted so that they can
be heard for a mile or more along the
placid river, a few tumbles in the stream,
and the immense seine is drawn to shore
with its catch of fresh Delaware shad"
most securely and temptingly lodged in the
mcshcs.