Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1901-09-03
PLOUGHING THE OCEAN.
FISHING ON HORSEBACK ON THE
COAST OF BELGIUM.


1t is a Sport Which Has. Delighted the
Flemish During Many Generations
How the Nets Are Arranged For This
Curious Mind of Shfmpng.
had nlet Frencfrden WHO went out
shooting on horseback, and, though they
did not bring home very satisfactory
bags, yet they conuived to secure a GER
tain amount OF exercise in leisurely
way, avoiding all the tedium OF tramps
from covert 10 covert, the morasses OF
mud in ploughed fields, and various
other drawbacks. But, until l went to
Flanders the other day, | had never
heard of fishing on horseback. Indeed,
the idea sounded Supremacy ridiculous
at the first blush. However, on closer
investigation | discovered a strange and
very interesting sport, which has existed
on the Flemish coast during many gem
erations, and may be relied upon to
amaze any orthodox disciple of Walton.
All along the edge of the North Sea
shrimping is one of the chief industries
of the inhabitants. who supply Paris
Northern France and the greater part Of
Belgium with this dainty. Their ordi-
nary method is to wade out to sec, or
else drift about in small boats, and rake
the bottom of the sea with their nets.
But it is not thus that the best shrimps
are to be obtained The waders, push
ing nets in front Of them by means Of
poles, canEot go OFT into deep enough
water, and the boatmen cannot force
their nets along with sufficient vigor.
That at least, is the opinion OF the fish
ers on horseback; but the others retort
that fishing on horseback is mere glean-
ing, and does not bring in return stuff
cient to compensate for the keep of
horses. Be this as it may, the old prac-
tice is exceedingly fascinating to watch,
and l true that it may never be sui
fered to die out.
When you see the fisherman careering
along remote and solitary beach, with
his great, wing-like nets stretching out
on either side of his crupper, you are
disposed t0 hail him as Don Quixote re-
turning from successful tilt at the
windmillS However, in the neighbor-
hood of Newport he presents a very IA
miliar figure, and even such conservative
creatures as cows do not seem at all
Disconnected by the sight of him The
process of saddling his horse for the
fray is a lengthy one. First he adjusts
a thick pack, padded out with straw. On
either side of this are large pannierS,
destined to receive the catch. The traces
for dragging the net are attached to
the collar in the ordinary way, and the
net itself is poised behind the pack An
extra basket is hung on to the side of
its handle, and then at last the man may
mount. This is no easy business, or
would not be. save by the practice of
lifetime, for there is not too much room
to spare amid such elaborate parapher-
MALTA.
Parties of three or six fishermen gen
orally meet at the edge Of the sea,
spread out their nets behind them 50
that the poles shall keep their mouths
widely open,and ride out to sea. When
they reach the proper distance they turn
around and proceed up and down, drag
ging their nets parallel to the shore.
They will have drawn lots for their
places, as the one who is furthest out to
sea catches the most fish. They are great
smokers, and consume an inordinate num-
Der of strong cigars while they are fish
ing. For some hours while the tide is
going out, they plough the sea, cover
ing a very long stretch before they turn
back and proceed over the same furrow,
where the tide will have set out a fresh
supply of fish meanwhile. When the time
comes to turn the nets are getting heavy,
as may be seen from the tautness of the
ropes and the horses increasing difficulty
to proceed. Then the fishers come back
to shore and deposit their takings in
glistening piles. When each one has
laid out his fish upon the shore he sets
out to sea again, and the advance in line
is resumed. But the men have now
changed places, the one who was outside
now riding along nearest to the shore.
This change happens at every turn, so
that each may have his fair chance of
the best draughts It is a curious sight
when they are forging along in the open
sea. They often go so far out that their
horses are obliged to raise their heads
very high to enable them to breathe.
Now and again on rough day a wave
will come along and completely Sub
merge both horses and riders for several
seconds. However, in the interests of
good fishing it is necessary to venture as
far out as possible There is really little
danger, and accidents are rare, particu
larly as horses and men alike are SO
much at home at his craft
When the days work is done the men
proceed to fill their panners from the
heaps they have collected on the shore
Here the smaller basket comes in useful
i IS interesting to remark the specimens
of a breed of horse which is certainly
unique. Old prints and potteries prove
thai in old days this form of fishing was
practised all along the coast of Flan-
ders. Now it only survives at Nieuport,
Coxcide and a few neighboring COM
muues. 1t is certainly very ancient, and
the effect of this unnatural exercise upon /
many generations of horses is very. in |
teresting to sportsmen. The animals are |
usually hardy and vigorous: their coats /
are allowed to grow very thick, and their
intelligence is highly developed All sorts /
of stories are told about the extraordi- /.
nary sagacity they display both in and |
out of the sea. Their necks are I'M
usually short ard thick settle Vide (
World MdgG-iHe
loo Young For Fame.