DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.49270#0343
256
0. Bates
pockets serve to hold fish not otherwise entangled in the net.203 The use of this net is
thus described by Loat (see figs. 152-154): —
“The cord, and the middle portion of the net to which it is attached, is gathered
up in the right hand, half the net now hanging down in front of the fishermap, who then
throws the edge of the net over his right elbow, which is held at right angles to the body,
and gathers up one half of the free portion in his left hand whilst the other half is left
hanging down in front of him. He is now ready to make a cast, and firmly planting his
feet on the ground he turns the upper part of his body away from the water and then
swings smartly back again, releasing the net from his left hand. . . . The impetus gained
by the swing carries out the free portion of the net and at the same moment he lets go the
rest of the net and the cord which is held in his right hand, except the end, which is, of
course, retained. If the net is properly thrown it should fall on the surface of the water
in a more or less complete circle. The net is now allowed to sink to the bottom and is
then carefully drawn in, the fish are taken out and the water squeezed out of the net,
which is gathered up for a fresh cast. This form of net is most efficacious in shallow
water, and if it is muddy so much the better, as the fish are not frightened by the shadow
of the net as it is being cast. When the water is clear satisfactory results are often
obtained by using it at night. Before casting, the fisherman sometimes throws in a
large stone or strikes the water with a stick, this often having the effect of attracting fish
to the spot.” 204
The cast net here shown in fig. 150 is of a design somewhat more advanced than
that described above, but it is cast in the same manner and is approximately of the same
size — Loat mentions as an example one which measured 60 feet (18 m. 25) in circum-
ference, and which had a | inch (2 cm.) mesh. The weights set on the edges of these nets
are very close — generally they are spaced about 2.5 cm. apart, and they are rarely as
much as 8 cm. In the center of the net is a small wooden hoop or ring, through which
pass six cords which are attached, at equal distances apart, to the edge of the net. About
a meter above the hoop all the cords are made fast to a strong rope. Each of the six cords
has two others attached to it about 2 m. from the edge of the net: these subsidiary cords
are themselves fastened, like the six, to the binding rope of the circumference. Other
yet smaller cords branch off the subsidiary pairs and are tied to the binding rope, until
the circumference of the net is thus fastened in 54 places (6 original lines = 6; right and
left stay to each of these 6 = 2x6 = 12; small ditto, to each of the 6 original lines
and to each of the 12 subsidiaries = 18 X 2 = 36 — total 54). These lines not only
203 Loat, op. cit., p. xxi.
204 Ibid., loc. cit.
0. Bates
pockets serve to hold fish not otherwise entangled in the net.203 The use of this net is
thus described by Loat (see figs. 152-154): —
“The cord, and the middle portion of the net to which it is attached, is gathered
up in the right hand, half the net now hanging down in front of the fishermap, who then
throws the edge of the net over his right elbow, which is held at right angles to the body,
and gathers up one half of the free portion in his left hand whilst the other half is left
hanging down in front of him. He is now ready to make a cast, and firmly planting his
feet on the ground he turns the upper part of his body away from the water and then
swings smartly back again, releasing the net from his left hand. . . . The impetus gained
by the swing carries out the free portion of the net and at the same moment he lets go the
rest of the net and the cord which is held in his right hand, except the end, which is, of
course, retained. If the net is properly thrown it should fall on the surface of the water
in a more or less complete circle. The net is now allowed to sink to the bottom and is
then carefully drawn in, the fish are taken out and the water squeezed out of the net,
which is gathered up for a fresh cast. This form of net is most efficacious in shallow
water, and if it is muddy so much the better, as the fish are not frightened by the shadow
of the net as it is being cast. When the water is clear satisfactory results are often
obtained by using it at night. Before casting, the fisherman sometimes throws in a
large stone or strikes the water with a stick, this often having the effect of attracting fish
to the spot.” 204
The cast net here shown in fig. 150 is of a design somewhat more advanced than
that described above, but it is cast in the same manner and is approximately of the same
size — Loat mentions as an example one which measured 60 feet (18 m. 25) in circum-
ference, and which had a | inch (2 cm.) mesh. The weights set on the edges of these nets
are very close — generally they are spaced about 2.5 cm. apart, and they are rarely as
much as 8 cm. In the center of the net is a small wooden hoop or ring, through which
pass six cords which are attached, at equal distances apart, to the edge of the net. About
a meter above the hoop all the cords are made fast to a strong rope. Each of the six cords
has two others attached to it about 2 m. from the edge of the net: these subsidiary cords
are themselves fastened, like the six, to the binding rope of the circumference. Other
yet smaller cords branch off the subsidiary pairs and are tied to the binding rope, until
the circumference of the net is thus fastened in 54 places (6 original lines = 6; right and
left stay to each of these 6 = 2x6 = 12; small ditto, to each of the 6 original lines
and to each of the 12 subsidiaries = 18 X 2 = 36 — total 54). These lines not only
203 Loat, op. cit., p. xxi.
204 Ibid., loc. cit.