Fishing with Otters and

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1797, 12 January 1884, Page 1 (Supplement)

Fishing with Otters and

Theiik is piobaMy no known way of fish catching "with which the 'Chinese aie not familiar, and there are still some novelties to westerners in this ancient civilisation. A very peculiar method is practiced by the natives on the Yungtsze ftiver, opposite Tehang, viz., that of employing the Common otter to drag the finny denizens of the muddy deep from their otherwise impregnable retreats under the high, oveufcanging cliffs. From a cleft m the rock strong bnt slender bamboo rods project out over the water, to the extremity of each of which is attached an otter by an iron chain fastened to crossed leather thongs round the animal's chest and immediately behind trie shoulderß. When resting on the bamboos, curled or doubled up, they look inanimate, and would be taken for dried Bkins hanging in the sun, but when required for use they are aroused to a gieat state of activity. A large net is prepared with leaden weights and so sunk as to cover a considerable space of the bottom, the otter being placed under it before lowering. When once down the slaughter begins, and all unfortunate idlers are nabbed and rendered helpless by the shaip teeth of the savage animal. After a few minutes have passed the whole contrivance is hoisted up, the otter is chained to the rod, 1 and the fish put into baskets. Some of the otters are not in use, and it is a curious sight to watch the gambolling about as far as the iron chain will allow", splashi»g and diving and fightiag each other. A prominent English sportsman remarked, upon healing this account : " If you were to send it to the Field, they would certainly say you ' were a liar,' b*t it is hoped that the Angler will be quite conconvinced of the veracity of the tale and of the voracity of th« otter." A daily sight at the long bridgB (Bridge of Ten Thousand Ages) over the Eiver Mm, at Foo-ehow-foO, is the fleet of rafts engaged during fche high water period in fishing with the aid of the cornorant, or sea raven (family of Pelccanidce.) , The rafts are frail, light structures, composed of five long bamboos lashed together. Only one man can go on each, armed, with a paddle, boat hook, and long handled net with a basket for holding the fish. The tide is very strong in the vicinity of the bridge, and the utmost dexterity is required to prevent the slender rafts frein overturning, but the fishermen are quite accustomed to being thrown into the water, and so evin-ee no fear. The cormorants are extremely voracious and are purposely kept in a state of hunger, so that their natural instinct will induce the» to dive for their prey. Each raft is provided with two or three birds, and the sport begins. The birds aie apparently very dull and stupid as they crouch down on the raft, and look like a lot of dirty old geese, but once launched into the water they show amazing activity, and prove that their stupidity is only assumed. How tkey manage to see the fish UDdei water is a mystery, for it is full of mud and of a dirty yellow color ; but that there are fish you may quickly find out. The biri darts rapidly under water, is gone about a minute, and brings up a hsh in its beak, and then the paddling commences, and after a short chase the pair are hauled in by the net and the game secured. The bird is then rewaided with a tiny fi3h to sutisfy its appetite, and launched again iato the foaming •current. It is wonderful to see the agility ot the boatmen in keeping clear of the bridge piers during this operation ; how his swift paddle catches the water, and his boat darU in and out across the rips like a live thing, half under water yet; floating bravely. The poor cormorants look drenched eneugh as they sit waiting to be tumbled in, but they are at home when ovei board and never make a miss if once a fish is sighted. A metallic ring around their necks pievents them from swallowing the larger fisk, but they get a feed of Che small fry on the raft and in an hour or less are not inclined to work, and must have rest till another day. Sometimes two or three of the cormorants will pounce upon one larga fish, and the battle that ensuas is very exciting. One bird is sure to get it, and then the others follow, trying to wrest it away, the fishermen followiag swiftly' to bag the lot. At such times the interest of th« BUmerous spectators on the bridge increases to shouting, and the birds get ferocious to go in again. A well trained bird will thus capture about twenty large fish in an honr, and the man will gain about a dollar by the sale of them. The cormorants are captured when young, and are kept in wild, marshy places, fenced in for use when required, on the river. One never tires of watching them at their daily task. — Junio in the, American Angler.