The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1894-04-04
FISHING eoR FLYING FISH.

An HntefesasnR 0peraffen which Requires
GemkAanean and AbnotuAe StAenoe.
Barbados. situated fiji theheart iii the
1ortheast trades, III one of the favorito
haunts or the flying fish. LIS steep shore
lines afford the blue depths which the
flying fish loves and permit IL to range
very near t0 land. Thus the fishermen
rarely so more than 10 or III miles from
home. When this industry was first
commenced by the Barbadians, or what
led 10 Its establishment. I have been nm.
able to discover, but it certainly has
been for many years the mainstay Of q
large part OF the population and the
source whence the most popular food
known on the island ia derived. There
are about 200 boats engaged In the fish
cry. They are painted d hight blue, al
nearly approaching the hue Of the sea
as may be, and every care is taken to
make them ~noiseless.
The feet leaves the s'canash iharbor)
before daybreak, each skipper taking
his own bearings and making for the
spot which he thinks will furnish the
best results. AZ the gorgeous tropical
dawn awakes the boats peaks are droop-
ed, luffs of sails are hauled II. and
the fishermen got to business. Tho
tackle used is OF the simplest kind. A
wooden hoop 8 feet in diameter. to
which is attached a shallow net with
inch meshes a bucketful of-well, not to
put too fine point on it-stinking fish,
a few good lines and hooks and a set of
grains form the complete layout. The
fishermen are of all shades. FROM q deep
rich ebony up by fine gradations to the
cadaverous white sc common on the Is
land. Their simple fishing costume il
usually n sole garment--the humble
dour 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 and her
way stopped the usual exuberant spirits
and hilarious laughter are put and kept
under strong restraint, for a single
sound will often scare away all fish in
the vicinity, and no more be seen that
day. The fisherman leans far over the
boats side, holding the hoop ~diagoLally
In n hand. The other hand, holding
one of the malodorous fish before mem
toned, Is dipped into the sea and the
bait squeezed into minute fragments.
This answers a double purpose-it at
tracts the fish, and the exuding oil
forms a sleek or CLASSY, surface all
around, through which one can see to Il
great depth. Presently sundry black
specks appear far down, they grow lar
ger and more numerous, and the motion
less black man hanging over the gum
wale scarcely breathes. AS soon as q
sufficient number are gathered he gem
tly sweeps the net downward and toward
the boat withal, bringing 1t to the snr-
face by drawing IL mp against the side.
Often liz will contain az many fish AZ d
man can lift, but % quietly and swift
h the operation performed shat the
school are not startled. and IL very often
happens that q boat Ia fIled-that Ia.
1000 or 5000 fish from one school,
More frequently. however, the slightest
noise, q passing shadow, viii alarm the
school, there 10 d flash OF silvery light,
and the water 10 clear. not q speck TO
be seen. Sometimes the feet will re-
turn with not 1000 FISH among them.
Chambers journal.