Morning journal and courier., 1894-02-16
FfshinE for Flytnx-Rish.

Barbados, sisustsd in the heart of the northeast trades, Is one of the fsvorite haunts of the flying fish. It's steep shore. lines afford the blue depths which the fly. ing fish loves, and permit 1t to range very near to land. Thus the fishermen rarely go more than ten or twelve miles from home. When this industry was fret com menced by the Barbsdisns. or what led tc its establishment, I have been unable tc discover; but 1t certainly has been fol many years the msinstsy of large part oi the population and the source whence th. most popular food known on the island is derived There are about 200 boats ca. gagged In the fishery. Nowiss notable for grace of form or elegsnce of rig, they are -utstantisl undecked vess.ls, of from i've to fifteen tons capacity, built in the rough- est manner and furnished In the most primitive way. The motive power Is 6 gsh hmsinsail and iib. and a couple of sweeps for cslms. They are painted e light blue, ss nearly approaching the hue of the sea ss may be, and every care is taken to make them noiseless.
 The fleet luaves the ''cspash" (aarbor) before daybresk, esoh skipper taking his own bearings. and making for the spot which he thinks will furnish the best re- sults. As the gorgeous tropical dawn swskes, the hosts' peaks sre dropped. luffs of sails are hauled up, and the fishermen get to business The tackle used Is one of the simplest kind. A wooden hoop three feet ia diameter, to which is attached e shallow rrfth gorh rn.sha.. hnekstf,t nf- we'll. not to put too fine a point on it. stinking fsb; few good lines and hooks, and set of grains form the complete lay out The fishermen are of all shades, from . deep rich ebony up, by dns grsdations, to the cadaverous white 60 common in the islands Their simple fshing costume |. usually one sole garment-ihe humble fouI or potato sack of commerce, with holes cut in the bottom and sides, through which to thrust head and arms.
 As soon as the boat Is hove to aud her way stopped, the usual exuberant spirits and hilarious laughter are put and kep; under strong restraint, for 6 single sound will often scare away all fish in the vicinity, and no more be seen that day. The fisher man leans far over the boats side, holding the hoop diagonally in one hand. The other hand, holding one of the mslodorous hsh before mentioned, is dipped into the ses, aud the bait squeezed into minute fragments. This answers 6 double pur. pose-it attracts the fsh, snd the sIudlps oil forms ''s.lsek" or glsssy surface all around, through which one can zee 10 a great depth. Presently sundry blsck speoks appear far down; they grow larger and more numerous, and the motionless blsck man hanging over tho gunwsls soarcely breAthes- As soon as . sufficient number are gathered he gently sweeps the net dovnwards aud towards the boat withsl, bringing it 10 the surface by drawing 1t up against the side. Often 1, will contain as many hsh ss man can lift; but 90 quietly and swift is the operation performed that the school are not stsrtlfd, and 1t very often happens that 6 boat is filled Chat ia. 7.O00 or {. 900 fsbl from one school More frequently, however, the slightest noise, a passing shadow. will alarm the school; there is flash of silvery light and the water is clear, not 6 sps ok tc be seen. Sometimes the fleet will return with not ], 900 fish among them.