St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1894-02-22
FISHING FOR FLYING-FIsB.

Barbados, situated in the heart
OF the northeast trades, IS one of the
favOr1te haunts of the hying-fsh
Its steep shore lines afford the blue
depths which the fying-hsh loves,
and permit it to range very near to
land. Thus the fishermen rarely go
more than ten or twelve miles from
home. When this industry was first
commenced by the Barbadians, or
what led to its establishment, have
been unable to discover; but it GER
talnly has been for many years the
mainstay OF large part of the pop
ulatiOn and the source whence the
most popular food known on the
island is derived. There are about
200 boats engaged in the fishery.
Nowlse notable for grace or form or
elegance OF rig, they are substantial
unlocked vessels, of from five 10 fl
teen tons capacity, built in the
toughest manner, and furnished in
the most primitive way. The mo-
tive power is gaff -malnsail and
jib, and couple OF sweeps for calms.
They are painted a light blue, as
nearly approaching the hue of the
sea as may be, and every care is
taken to make them noiseleSs.
The fleet leaves the ''canash"
(harbor) before daybreak, each
skipper taking his own bearings,
and making for the spot which he
thinks will furnish the best results.
AS the gorgeous tropical dawn
awakes, the boats peaks are droop-
ed, tufts of sails are hauled up, and
the fishermen get to business. The
tackle used is of the simplest kind.
A wooden hoop three feet in diane
ter, to which is attached a shallow
net with inch meshes; bucketful of
well, not to put too fine a point
on it-stinking fish; few good
lines and hooks. and a set of grains,
form the complete layout. The
fishermen are of all shades, from a
deep rich ebony up, by fine grada-
t1Ons, to the cadaverOus white so
common in the island Their simple
fishing costume is usually one sole
garment-the humble -four or pota-
to 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 and
her way stopped, the usual exuber-
ant spirits and hilarious laughter
are put and kept under strong re-
stTalnt, tor single sound will often
scare away all fish in the vicinity,
and no more be seen that dav. The
fisherman leaus Tar over the boats
side, holding the hoop diagonallv in
one hand. The malodorous fish be-
fore mentioned is dipped into the
sea, and the bait squeezed into mi
mute fragments. This answers a
double purpOse-it attracts the fish,
and the exuding oil, forms a "sleek"
or CLASSY surface all around, through
| which one can see a great depth
Presently, sundry black specks ap-
pear tar down; they grow larger
and more numerous, and the mo-
tlonless black man hanging over its
! gunwale scarcely breathes. AS soon
as sufficient number are gathered
he gently sweeps the net dOwnwards
and towards the boat withal, bring
! ing 1t to the surface bv dra wing it
up against the side Often it will
contain as many fish as a man can
lift; but SO quietly and swift IS the
opera ton performed, that the school
are not startled, and it very often
happens that boat is filled Chat is
1000 or 5000 fish, from one school
More frequently, however, the slight
est noise, a passing shadow, will
alarm the school; there is a flash Of
silvery light, and the water is clear
not speck to be seen. Sometimes
the fleet will return with not 1000
fish among them Chambers
Journal.