WITH THE HERRING FISHERS.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 November 1918, Page 1

WITH THE HERRING FISHERS.

Tlio herring fisher works always on the night shift-, not because the fish feed at night—herring take no known bait—but because they can be seen at night.

Taking their c-ue from whale or seagull as to the location of the herring, the boats go off two by two (foj; they work only in couples) late in the canning for the fishing ground. Arrived there they stop their motors and glidiny silently over the dark waters they look for the fish.

One of the men bumps the anchor two or three times on the how of the boatand instantly a- patch of water lights up with a bright phosphorescent gleam. It is the herring and the “ring-net” (now more generally used in the west of Scotland than the drift net)) is lowered. It is held up by corks and has a small light at one end. This tile partner boat picks up; they circle round tbc herring until the two boats come together, when most of the men climb into one boat where they draw the net with the herring on hoard.

If the catch is good and sufficient the fisherman lights a flare which calls the “carrier,’’ the buyers steamboat to his side, but- if numerous other boats have already shown their flares the fisher starts his motor and speeds as quickly as possible to that strange noisy scene, the fish market on the waters at dead of night. Much chaffering and bargaining goes on, for no commodity differs more in price from day to day than does the herring. One night the men are glad to get •3s a basket, and next night the buyers are offering £1 to 30/- for the same quantity. After the fish are sold the men all settle down to a good meal. A greet pot of herring boiled in salt u ater is set- in front of them by the busy calnnbov. Each man puts his hand oil the pot lifts out a herring and lays it on his bread. As day dawns they sail home, clean ship, and gb below or ashore to sleep. In this little Highland village the men of the last- two generations have done well with the fishing. Their boats complete with i*jfs and motor cost between three and four hundred pound*, but only the other night a boats, owned by brothers, divided £<oo between them for one night’s catch. Many of the sons are away now catch ing queer fish in strange waters. We ask for Malcolm and Dougal and Dan, and tlie old father’s answer is, “Fusliing! Pushing for mines!”