The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1896-04-30
FISHING AROUND MATINICUS.

Published in Shooting and Fishing, New
York, April 2nd, with illustrations by the
author
Thirty years ago the bays along the
Maine coast were plentifully supplied
with bottom-fis cod, haddock, pollock,
occasionally halibut, and mackerel in
their season. Gradually, however, they
have been driven out into deeper water
until at present it is only on the shoals
and about the lodges of the very outer
most islands that they are found in suf-
ticient quantity to give sport or profit to
fishermen For years | had listened to
tales told by fishermen OF the astonishing
quantity and large size of fish to be caught
out around Isle au Haut and Matlnicus,
until my fancy, infiamed by the recital,
had pictured these places veritable
tisherman's paradise, and to visit these
romantic spots had become fixed desire.
Matincus, How wildly had fancy
painted this island with untold interest.
Matincus fishermen were the most fear
less and skillful; Matinicus boats the swift
est and best handled of any along the coast;
and we'll they might be, for their owners
know no other means of conveyance, and
from childhood may be said to live in
them. This island group is twenty miles
rock. capped with its fine twin lights,
five miles farther away, there is nothing
between them and the Spanish coast but
the rolling waters of the broad Atlantic.
1t is no child's play to sail a small craft in
these waters, among the ragged, roaring
Lodges. summer and winter, through sun
slime, fog, and storm; their very lives de
pend upon their skill and Judgment.
One September morning | was hailed
upon the street by Uncle Tom, typical
old fisherman. who had spent his days
fishing along the coast from Grand Manan
to Seguin, with, Don't you want to take
fishing trip down among the islands? L
hear they are killing big mackerel down
around Matinicus' Did | wish to 90? |
rather thought did, and | was not long
in convincing the kind old skipper of my
appreciation of his invitation. Uncle Tom
was sole owner and commander of the
good fishing schooner Hero, and whereas
it was to lie simply pleasure trip for me,
it was business with him, 50 immediate
" arranged every detail, to avoid any pos
sible misunderstanding later on.
There were to be three men in the par
! ty: Uncle Tom, skipper; young man as
crew, and | to try to fill the very respon-
sible position of cook. The captain to
provision and furnish the schooner, boats,
nets, etc. we in return to divide our catch
with him. | very much added to my
already hearty welcome by proposing to
give him my entire catch. | also provid-
ed certain substantials in the way of can
ned goods which l thought otherwise
might not appear on our bill of fare.
However warm it may be on shore,
there are few days outside, in September,
when thick wooden uuder-cothing and
| Jackets come amiSs; Oil clothes and rubber
boots are indispensable. Having amply
provided myself with these, and lines,
| g-hooks, etc, at the appointed time
was on board with my belongings, and we
Immediately got underway
On our way down the bay we tished
occasionally with indifferent success. 1t
was at noon of the third day out we ran
in under the lee OF long, desolate, storm
swept mass Of lodges known as Wooden
| Ball island. The place was picturesque,
! certainly, in the glorious light OF this Sep
TENDER noon, but spot to be avoided in
anything like rough weather.
Mackerel are strange fish. They have
queer likes and faucies: one, however ex-
perienced cannot know what a school
/ may do. The throw bait may be filled
with them. and not one will condescend
to take your hook. Instantly, without
any apparent reason, they will begin to
! bite with perfect voracity. Then the skill
of an old fisherman is manifest. | am one
of the cranks in my love of rod and fly,
and fully appreciate the skill required to
successfully handle them, but have long
since learned that all the skill Of the pis-
| catorial art is not confined to fresh water
work. Any thoughtful person must rec
ogniZe the experience required to success
| fully handle three, four, and at times six
lines, each laden with heavy fish; also,
what a hopeless tangle must result if the
least mistake is made. 1t is inte resting
at such times to watch an old hand. Fin
gers, which are ordinarily all thumbs, in
stantly become wonderfully subtle and
delicate; Judgment quick as thought is
exercised in deciding which of the rush
ing lines is the one to take in. A pound
mackerel cannot be hauled in hand over
! hand; it would be sure to tear away, how
ever well hooked; their mouths are very
tender. A fish weighing one and half
pounds will hardly hold to be thus rough
ly handled. Skillful advantage is taken
of the frantic rush of large fish, and it's
own momentum helps to bring it in over
the rail; slat and it is off the hook into the
the boat, and the jig is again overheard in
readiness for another victim. 1t is quick
! work and intensely exciting. Any one
who has experienced both will agree with
me that there is nothing in fresh water
! fishing which can eXcelit.
| The crew and cook were both below eat
| ing dinner on the aforesaid noon. Uncle
Tom was on deck throwing bait. We were
hove to with little Or no wind, and drift
ing with the current. We had distlibut-
ed tubs of throw bait along the coast. Up
| to this time not one mackerel had reward
ed our efforts. 1t was very discouraging.
The crew and cook had just arrived at pie
| when from on deck came the thunder of
a fish thrashing about in an empty barrel.
| We well knew the meaning of that; Uncle
Tom had struck school of mackerel
The fascination presented by dry mince
pie was instantly forgotten; we rushed
up on deck. Fish were coming over the
rail as fast as Uncle Tom could work his
lines, and you may be sure that WASH t
slow. A look over the side revealed the
bait full of fish. The water was literal
ly alive with them. No tempting array
of bait was needed; the bright, undated
jig was as good as anything.
We had them for about two hours, fish
ing as fast as we could work; then they
struck down as quickly as they had come
up, although few still darted in and out
of the bait. Our sport was over for the
day. They were fine fish, not unusually